KEW ANTIGUA RESERVES V SUTTON NEW TOWN ATHLETIC
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The first league match of the season was here at last and Sutton were eager to get started after a difficult journey to Battersea Park.
Sutton looked a little nervy at the start and a couple of good chances came to Kew, one being tipped over the bar by Preston and the other
a last ditch clearance from Aaron. Also a free kick from Kew was cleared by Luke. After 5 minutes Sutton started to settle down and began to find their game. A good cross from Mark was cleared by Kew, and another attack following a good pass from the excellent Luke led to a corner which Andy took, but it was caught by the Kew keeper. A free kick from the half way line from Bas led to a goalmouth scramble which Kew cleared. Sutton were now in their stride and more than matching Kew, but the match remained scoreless. On 18, Andy’s free kick from 25 yards hit the bar in Sutton’s best chance so far. Kew were already demonstrating that they would go down easily in the tackle and a couple of free kicks followed.
On 23 Kew hit the bar from a corner. Chances came to both sides, but as half time approached a free kick following a foul by Kew was taken by Andy, but it was headed off the line. The ensuing corner was saved and the half time whistle blew.
The second half got under way and Sutton controlled the match for the next 15 minutes with chances coming to Nathan, Andy and Keiran. In the 59th minute Monk came on for Preston who had pulled a muscle.
A free kick from Mark went over the bar followed by good chances for Phil and Nathan, all saved. In the 65th, the energetic John Edgar came on for Phil and immediately started to show his usefulness, tackling , pressing and chasing. In the 69th minute Michael came on for Dan, and also started to show his abilities. 2 minute later a Kew attacker picked up the ball on the half way line and ran with it to the edge of the box, and collapsed in a heap, under the slightest pressure and the ref gave a free kick. The kick was well saved by Monk and cleared. 2 minutes later deja vu struck. In what was to be the defining moment of the game, a Kew midfielder started a run from half way. Everybody watching knew what was coming next. He got to the edge of the box and took a dive which may well have earned him a place in the Olympic diving team. The ref blew for a free kick and the well struck kick went in for the first goal of the game. Sutton were a little shaken having looked the most likely to score in the second half. Kew had a shot tipped over the bar by Monk.
As Sutton pressed for the equaliser, a break away attack from Kew led to their 2nd, as their striker got behind the defence and lobbed the keeper. Sutton continued to press for an equaliser but the game finished 2-0 to Kew.
Although it was disappointing to lose the first league game, this was by no means a bad performance. It was a massive step forward from last week, and if this improvement continues, there is no reason why Sutton should not have a good season. Although nobody played badly, it is worth mentioning a stand out performance from Luke, as well as good performances from Alex, Keiran, Mark, Andy and Bas.
Report by Robert
