MATCH REPORT

Long Sutton travelled to East London for the opening game of the season. After a win there last season, spirits were high. East London were the team to come out the blocks first and from the off, they played a full pitch press. This made it very hard for the back four of Whatling, Harrison, Taylor and Featherstone to get the ball out. After soaking up the pressure, Sutton started to get a few breaks of the own. After winning a short corner, Fyson stepped up and slotted the ball home. The lead didn't last long, as East London equalised shortly after. They then piled on the pressure and added another shortly after. The home team then earned a short corner which was superbly saved by Fyson on the line, however this only saw the ball deflect off an East London stick, and made its way into the goal. Half time. Sutton tried to fight back after half time, but the second half was much the same as the first, with East London piling on the pressure. Man of the Match, A Shore, and Fyson were working hard in the midfield to try and help their defence. It was no match for a well-drilled East London team, who used their 15 man team to full advantage. The pressure built and they added another two goals to their tally. The cards started to appear at that point, the home team got a green card followed by A Shore one minute later and Featherstone thirty seconds after that. In that moment of madness, Sutton managed to score with Fyson slotting home. 5-2. Both teams were back to full strength and the game stretched, as Sutton went looking for more goals. The home team got their sixth with a quick break. Sutton weren't prepared to give up their fight and managed to score again with a shot from Whatling, which was poached on the line by Jackson to score their third. Featherstone got a yellow card with two minutes to go, as his frustration got the better of him. Not the way he or the team wanted to end the day. Sutton can take a few positives from the game, however East London played how Sutton aspire to play this season and they definitely showed how ruthless a team can be.