MATCH REPORT

STEADFAST SUTTON ACHIEVE SEVENTH HEAVEN After last years title win Sutton began their new season on a higher plane at home versus Cambs South 3's. With last years ever present keeper Sisson out with injury, Alfie Braginton stepped up from the 3rds for his league debut for the team in what was a familiar line up to last season. Both sides had a reasonable level of support and Sutton's Astro looked majestic, drawing compliments from the travelling players. The game started at a high tempo with South having the majority of the ball, playing some intricate passing movements around the pitch. Although they enjoyed the lion's share of possession the visitors were unable to create any chances of real note thanks to the ever resolute defending of Clarke, Hales and their wrangler Baguley. Whatever shots which eluded the defenders were well dealt with by Braginton and the score remained 0-0 for the majority of the half. Going forward Sutton were struggling to get time on the ball in midfield and when the ball made it to the front line it was soon lost; Sutton soon remembered that at whatever level of hockey you play if you let the opponent have all of the ball they will eventually score a goal and so they did when Braginton was finally beaten by a well worked routine. 0-1 Sutton regrouped and looked to strike back and whilst they did not level before half time they did find more of the ball, they were deservedly behind at half time. It was not so much that they were not playing well but more that the South team were playing better at this higher level. Half time the team talk looked to make some adjustments, whilst the midfield general Fox adopted a more reserved stance for the new season, in fairness he, Watt and Ed White probably needed a breather after slugging it out with the ever inventive South midfield. Sutton improved in the second half and built some pressure on the South goal with good work by Batten, Norey and Will White working together to create opportunities and short corners. Often when you are on top is exactly the time you are at your most exposed and suddenly 1-0 became 2-0 and the deficit doubled like a winter gas bill. Sutton were shell shocked for a while and whilst Batten, Will White, Watt and Forrest tried to work the triangles again only the most optimistic of Suttonites could see the team getting anything out of the game. Sport is a funny pastime though, one thing it can do is reward belief, spirit and endeavour; this is a good thing considering these are attributes this team has showed many times. Fox and White raised their game, Will White, whose day had started in Eastbourne and was about to finish in Nirvana, made run after run to break through the midfield ably supported by Norey, Watt and Forrest, and Batten did what Batten does best hard running direct hockey into the opponents final third. Up front, Canham started to make the ball stick and his hold up play allowed the midfield runners to get there in support. South held firm, though like in any clash between two heavyweights they began to tire, their guard dropped and suddenly where the battle was previously being engaged in the midfield it was now being engaged in the South D, a much more dangerous place to do your defending. The Sutton midfield created chances with Will White and Batten instrumental in most good things, though it has to be said even the appearance of his newborn daughter on the sidelines did not get a goal out of Batten! Time was running out as the clock showed 7 minutes to go, what was to be a magnificent 7 minutes heralded by Suttons own Yul Brynner, Baguley, pushing the forwards on by confidently predicting the side was still in it. Sutton were pressing in the South D and the ball fell to Canham whose deft flick over the keeper made it 2-1. Hope and belief had made a belated appearance amongst the supporters! South needed to consolidate, Sutton however were rampant and it was not long before smart work from Fox and Batten left Canham with the opportunity to double his tally with a reverse flick into the keepers net and the scores were level. Like a New Mexican village fighting for its freedom, Sutton sensed blood and pushed on looking for a winner – step up the White Brothers…………………………….. Ed White, who has a number of tricks in his magic hat pulled out an aerial into the channel for his brother Will to chase……….Will who started the journey to the pitch before most of the team had woken up ran through to engage the defender, turning him one way and then another pushing the ball into the right side of the D before letting loose the fiercest of shots across the keeper into the far corner of the goal; a stunning finish to the match and a goal worthy of any game of hockey at any level, certainly a fitting reward for a player who had travelled over 150 miles to get back to play the match, a team goal for a team man assisted by his brother with a nod to Mick Lynch for not organising a strike this weekend! South were stunned, the better side for 90% of the game they were suddenly facing defeat; to their credit they tried to find an equaliser but Baguley and Fox are professional dog walkers – they never let a lead go and the game was seen out to a conclusion. Three points in a higher league for Sutton against a very good team from an excellent match to watch played in a good spirit – a great start!