MATCH REPORT

Game 1 of the 23/24 season saw Long Sutton 2nds travel away to Kettering for a nice and early 4pm in the afternoon pushback. Sutton started the day with a bare squad of 11, after University, Promotion and the fact that some of the younger players could not play due to the game finishing after their bedtime had reduced numbers – but help was on hand when Will Taylor made the mercy dash to join up and make the numbers 12. Sutton started well if a little bit rusty and started to play their way into the game. The Hales brothers, Ben and Eddie working hard and the ‘Fantasy Football' twins Alfie Braginton and Troy Croxford keen to make good starts to the season, were typical of the work and effort Sutton put in. The midfield marshalled by Fox was as dominant as ever and the skills displayed by Will White, Will Taylor and Batten were a pleasure to watch. Ed White as ever was Ying to Fox's Yang and whilst younger, the youth group of Croxford and Eddie Hales contributed well too. Baguley and Clarke resumed their defensive partnership, Baguley playing Des Walker to Clarke's Terry Butcher. It was no surprise when Sutton scored, a wellworked short corner routine finished off by Fox, this became 2 when Taylor took 6 Kettering players out of the game with a pass to Batten who then ‘nutmegged' the keeper and then turned and lobbed the keeper and last defender in one movement – a goal of exquisite quality. Taylor then provided for Ed White to score a precise reverse finish and it was 3-0 at half time. The side went into the break happy, other than Braginton in goal who was keen for a little more action! To be fair Sutton even remained in control whilst Fox took a five minute breather on the naughty step either side of the break. The second half started and Batten scored his second of the day after great work from Taylor and a dummy from Canham left him a delicate deflection, this was followed by the final goal with Canham lobbing the keeper from the top of the D to make the final score 5-0. The game meandered on towards the end and Clarke started to look longingly at the naughty step where Fox had spent 5 minutes and lo and behold he ended up spending 10 minutes there himself to end the game – it mattered not, the clean sheet was secured, the 3 points secured, Braginton will have busier weeks and he and Croxford continued to take the Fantasy League by storm! The side finished with a steak dinner as has become the custom which was enjoyed by all as they tried to work out how Will White and Will Taylor did not manage to top off fine performances with a goal – Batten with his all round play, addiction to full fat Pepsi and 2 fantastic goals was Man of the Match, pipping Fox , Baguley and the two Wills, White and Taylor. Home game next week.