MATCH REPORT

SUTTON GET BACK TO WINNING WAYS ON DAY TO REMEMBER

After the restart of the season could have gone better for Sutton, the team reset to face City of Peterborough 5ths to the Peele Leisure Centre. With the weather warming up enough for the pitch to clear, the game was on, and the teams were both ready to play what turned out to be a good friendly contest between each other.

From the off, Sutton were keen to stamp their authority on the match and nearly took the lead within the first minute! Peterborough weren't sure how to deal with the constant pressure afforded by the front 5 of Luke Jackson, Alex Canham, Eddie Hales, Dan Plant and Troy Croxford – to the point that the question was not if Sutton would score but when. And on the 11th minute that was answered – a short corner won by Jackson, a clean injection from Ed White and a sharp finish into the bottom corner by Stef Fox opened the scoring.

Peterborough continued to weather the storm and grew into the game as the adrenaline begun to wear off for Sutton – some lovely chances came and it was only the resolute defending of Ben Hales, Tom Baguley and Si Clarke, along with some fine saves from the ever-improving Alfie Braginton. The situation was not made easier when Jackson decided he needed a 2-minute rest, and Clarke pulled his hamstring before the half had finished; however, the score remained 1-0 to the Green Army when the half time whistle blew.

After a half-time pick-me-up from the brains trust of Sutton, the second half started in the same fashion as the first; with free flowing attacks and multiple chances coming their way. Shorts kept being won, and it was from one where the ball bobbled back to Canham who rocketed a shot into a defenders foot on the line to win a penalty stroke – which was dispatched with aplomb to double Sutton's lead. Peterborough tried to break forward but they could do little to break through, and Sutton continued to push forward to seal the game off. And it was from a defensive 16 that Baguley sent the ball straight to MOTM Canham at the half way line, who collected it in before sending a through ball to Plant inside the opposition D, where the onrushing keeper was beaten and the three points clinched with 7 minutes to go. There was only enough time in the game for Ben Hales to be given his marching orders for a strong missed tackle and with the game finished 3-0 to the good.

So that's that then; 3 goals and 3 points to send Sutton back to the top of the table, and a gentle reminder from up high that "Form is Temporary – Class is Permanent!"