Sutton O’Neill’s FC started the new campaign with a stunning away victory at a packed out Clapham Common on Sunday. New signing Dwayne Golding netted a brace before half time to take Soffka 3-0 up at the break. Duncan Garnett took time out from bullying markers twice his size to lay on two goals in front of a record number of travelling Green & White Army, with Dave "Preston" White setting up Golding's second. Captain Ben Donaldson scored the third from a Garnett corner kick in a gripping first half and was unlucky not to net himself a second, only being denied by the post with a screaming right foot drive from outside the area.
Half time yielded no changes from injured player-manager Jai Shaw, happy to see his side take such a convincing lead “...well, if it ain’t broke, you don’t fix it, do ya?...” stated a pleased Shaw at the interval.
After a brief spell of pressure from the home side in the second half, what turned out to be consolation goal was scrambled in on 50 mins. White kept the Huracan attack at bay on a couple of occasions, none more impressive than a tip over the bar at full stretch from a header which took a wicked change of direction on the less than forgiving Clapham pitch.
Shaw was looking for a response from his men and threw on Jermaine Nelson for the very effective John Edgar to provide a little more attacking impetus. Nelson’s impact was immediately felt as he tricked and turned his way round a few defenders, before chasing back to his own corner flag to make an important challenge. The fourth goal was always on it’s way and came by way of an O.G. Golding – again proving himself unplayable – chased down what appeared to be a lost cause, only to force a mistake from the now weary Huracan defence.
“Hairy” Aaron Holmes came on for the impressive Tom MacNamara to provide a calming and controlled element to the centre of midfield which had worked tirelessly throughout.
Sensing the victory was complete, Shaw took off the very capable - if ever-so-slightly camp - Stephen Grace for the experienced full back Tommy “He’s Got a Ginger Beard” Finn who slotted in at left back alongside the imposing Basil Mathis and unrelenting Luke “Mama-Spice-Boy” George. “Little” Aaron Grieve caused trouble throughout the whole 90mins – helped out no end on both wings by Grace and SOFC’s own John O’Shea; Simon Stevens, no more so than in helping to win a free-kick which Nelson rattled against the upright.
All in all a very impressive display. "We need to carry this momentum through to the Balham Bowling Club game without getting ahead of ourselves. The new signings have made great impact and I have a quality in depth this season" added a delighted Shaw at the end of the match. Exciting times indeed for the boys from Overton Park.
