MATCH REPORT

Long Sutton travelled to Premier A side Norwich on Saturday in their last pre-season friendly. With a slightly depleted team Sutton welcomed Michael Donaghy, Ben Shore and debutant Connor Allen into the team who all did themselves proud. Sutton got off to a good start, playing the ball around with confidence and precision. Norwich came into the game and showed why they were promoted from Sutton's league last time around but Sutton defended extremely well as a team lead by the in form Jamie Featherstone. With Ellis and Taylor working tirelessly in midfield spraying the ball around, it was end to end stuff but Norwich looked the team more likely to score. Sutton continued to communicate well and defend as a solid unit, stopping Norwich in all parts of the pitch. Half time 0-0. The second half saw much of the same as the first with Tom Baguley showing his consistency again, blocking everything Norwich threw at him. Norwich did break the deadlock half way through the second half with a deflected goal but this didn't dampen Sutton's spirits. Norwich piled on the pressure, especially when Sutton lost Featherstone to a yellow card. As the game entered the last 10 minutes and with Sutton back to eleven it was the Green's who created the better chances and should have got something from the game through numerous short corners. It wasn't to be, but Sutton can hold their heads high going into their first league match on Saturday knowing a team performance like this one will stand them in good sted for the season. Man of the Match Tom Baguley.

Report by Jimmy Harrison.