MATCH REPORT

Sat 10th saw Suttons 2nd team travel to Kings Lynn to take on The Pelicans, a team a league above them for their 1st friendly of the season.
A new squad, new formation and a new captain could have left them open to an uphill challenge on their 1st outing. However the whole team played the best the 2nd team has seen. 12 goals throughout the game made for exciting watching too!
Pelicans opened the scoring within 15 mins while Sutton were finding their feet in the new formation, but a quick response from the push back saw Ben Shore equalise within mins, Pelicans responded to this with a well worked goal with Suttons defense caught off guard, Sutton then found their feet and stepped up the pace taking the lead with 2 more goals from Shore completing his hat trick. A goal from Pelicans just before half time saw Sutton going into the break drawing at 3 all, an excellent 1st half from all players and at times Pelicans were played off the pitch! After the break Sutton came out of the blocks confident, but so did Pelicans taking the lead again, Shore then brought Sutton back level to 4-4 after having hit the metal work at least once beforehand. Sutton then went down a goal again before a training ground short corner was executed perfectly allowing Fred Whatling to pull them back level - 5-5. Pelicans pushed hard for the last 15 mins scoring 2 more goals, Sutton pushed hard until the final whistle but couldn't pull the game back. A fantastic first game with many positives taken away by Sutton and 110% effort shown by all. Man of the match goes to Michael Carter, with excellent performances from Cliff (gk) Shore (cf) Taylor (lb) and a great run out from Suttons 3rd team player Matt Grange.

Report by Matt Holmes