A brace from Paul Rogers helped Sinclair United to a comfortable 4-1 victory at King's Sutton last night (Wednesday).
The match was a chance for manager Steve Nash to give his side much needed match fitness ahead of their first match away to FC Langford on August 30, and they got off to the perfect start with just a few minutes on the clock.
In one of their first attacking moves, Luke Whitehead clipped a ball into Josh Nash, who worked well inside the box before unleashing a fierce drive past the keeper to put United in front.
Some slick passing football saw United control play midway through the first half, and had several chances to extend their lead. But a lapse in concentration saw King's Sutton equalise with one of their first few shots on target.
Depsite conceding, United began to reassert themselves on the pitch and began to create more chances. Nash once again caused problems for the King's Sutton defence and when he fired a powerful shot against the crossbar, Jason Pritchard couldn't find the target with the rebound.
United were unlucky to not go back in front though when Pritchard thought he had scored, only for it to be disallowed for offside. Replays afterwards though showed the last touch which put him through came off a King's Sutton defender.
With half time approaching, United continued to pass the ball around nicely and with five minutes to go a good attacking move down the right saw Adam Timms deliver a teasing cross and despite Nash seeing his header blocked, Ian Timms rose highest to head the rebound in and put United 2-1 up a half time.
The second half started much in the same way for United, who continued to use the pitch's width to their advantage and managed to create more openings.
The post came to King's Sutton rescue once again when Whitehead's shot from the edge of the box hit the goalframe and bounced clear.
But it was soon to be 3-1 for United when Rogers guided his free-kick up and over the wall to leave the keeper stranded.
Substitute David Wiles provided some energy up front late on and had chances to get on the scoresheet himself, but it was Rogers again who put the game beyond doubt with his second goal.
With the rain falling, the 27-year-old midfielder made the most of the wet conditions by firing a low shot that managed to fall through the hands of the keeper and into the net behind him.
There was still time for Ian Timms to hit the crossbar with another header, but by then the game was already settled.
Despite being the first game of pre-season, Nash can be pleased with the continued progress his young side is making after the summer break, and will be hoping they can keep their momentum going ahead of the division one season.
SINCLAIR UNITED: T Jones, A Timms (M Coyne 45), K Woodcock, L Jarvis, L Whitehead, M Jeffs, B Riley, I Timms, B Washington (D Wiles 45), J Pritchard (P Rogers 35), J Nash
Goals: J Nash, P Rogers (2), I Timms
