MATCH REPORT

SUTTON STUN SOUTH IN SPECTACULAR COMEBACK 

Sutton travelled away to high flying Cambridge South 3s this Remembrance Weekend in what promised to be a well fought top of the table clash for both sides. With a full contingent of 13 Sutton players present, and 15 for Cambridge, the aim of the game was always going to be starting strong and after the minutes silence the game pushed off.  

From the off the intentions were clear from South who promptly sent the ball off the Sutton back line so as they could play to their pressing strengths – in fact, it was only through some resolute defending by Braginton, Ben Hales, Baguley, Clarke and Fox did the ball remain outside our goal. 5 minutes of high intensity pressure became 10 and then 15 as it seemed the match was only going in one direction. There were a couple of forays out of the Sutton half, mostly by Batten and Jackson, but some strong defending by South kept Sutton stuck in second gear. However, South struck first after a rare breakdown in communication allowed for a rogue winger to pop up unmarked on the back post to tap home the lead. 

This seemed to spur Sutton into more action, who shifted into a higher gear. The dynamic duo of Ed White and Will White started to control the midfield more, allowing Batten, Jackson, Ed Hales and Croxford to make the runs both on and off the ball we have become accustomed to. A couple of chances became a few, before suddenly it was South on the backfoot until the end of the first half. Despite some good opportunities for both sides however, the half ended with Sutton needing to chase the game. 

After a significantly more well received half time team talk from the skipper, Sutton started the second half in a flash, immediately utilising the pacey wingers of Norey, Jackson, Croxford and Ed Hales. The pressure kept being piled on South, and it was no surprise when the chances started to fall for Sutton. And with about 10 minutes gone in the second half, Sutton finally found that killer instinct. After some great work from the Hales boys on the right, the ball fell to Norey and then Batten inside the D, before the ever-vocal Jackson put the ball home on the 4th attempt to level the game up.  

Rather than sit back on the draw, Sutton finally found their top gear – free flowing attacking across the whole pitch, making South chase shadows and forcing their keeper into some good saves. With about 15 to go, Batten ran the line and fired across the goal hitting the post. Whilst some members of the Green Army were currently advocating for the use of VAR in local league hockey, Jackson was alert enough to keep the ball from being fully cleared and won another short corner for Sutton. From this, Canham struck a perfectly arcing shot between sticks into the bottom corner to set the game up for a tense finale.

This spurred South to come forward in search of the equaliser, pushing almost every man forward to do so. Unfortunately for them, this left gaps behind for the space to be exploited and, after yet another chance was intercepted by MOTM Clarke, played out and up and suddenly it was a 2v1 to Sutton with Batten on the ball. After a good run from Norey to draw the defender to give more space, Batten drove into the D and unleashed a shot which the keeper saved – only for Sutton's very own Geordie Shore to put the ball in the net and the icing on the cake! After that Sutton defended resolutely, not allowing a sniff of a chance against them with the only minor setback being the injury to Croxford with not long left to go – fortunately it was a short hobble to A&E for him!  

With no more action of note, the full time whistle went on a stand-out performance for the men in green, and they continue their stay at the top of the table with a bit more breathing room now.