MATCH REPORT

The Mens 1s went into the final game of 2023 in good form. A brilliant victory over second placed March on the road 2 weeks prior had the lads up for another 3 points. They also started the game knowing that a win would move them above March after they had lost earlier in the day.

The boys started well. South barely threatened the Sutton goal in the first half with Sutton having all the chances. Cliff, Fyson, Donaghy, Harrison and Proctor were all calm and collected at the back, untested and moving the ball well. The first goal came from a penalty corner when, despite a wrong call, Baker rounded the two runners and finished into the top corner to open proceedings. The second wasn't too far away either after another penalty corner was won. The ball was played from the top to Taylor who thread a lovely ball across to Proctor to deflect home for his first of the season. The game continued to play out in favour of the home side. The midfield controlled the balance of the game sniffing out many South attacks. Gray, Sargeant and Easy worked tirelessly. The third came before half time through some individual brilliance from East, something that seems to be becoming a regular occurrence. He went in a mazy run down the left flank with South defenders unable to stop him. His ball across to Baker was the icing on the cake and then the shot to score that followed was the additional cherry. 3-0 HT

The second half began and the story remained the same. More Sutton dominance. Despite it taking a while to increase the score line, the Sutton goal still remained safe. The home side threatened on many occasions through quick counters from Plant, Watt and Taylor yet the score line remained the same. It was the returning man Ellis to add the fourth however, after a quick attack found Baker who was able to play in Ellis for a brutal strike past the South keeper. Sutton were back on track and looking like adding a fifth. A lovely team foal finished proceedings. A fast paced transfer across the 25 found Sargeant on the wide right flank who found Baker who turned and finished to complete his hat-trick.

A 5 goal victory to finish things off for the mens 1s in 2023. 11 out of 22 games completed. The best start to the season for them for quite some time. The boys can now spend the festive season sitting in a well deserved 2nd place. However, can the second half of the season go just as well to make sure they remain there, or higher, come the end of the season? Merry Christmas all and a happy new year!