SUTTON NEW TOWN ATHLETIC 3
RIVERLINO FC 4
After a couple of excellent training sessions and victory last time out, the Sutton players took a step backwards in this game. There was only an occasional glimpse of the crisp passing, calling and movement which we hoped would be the norm, and was replaced by poor decision making, poor passing, poor positioning. Only Tony, Bas, Keiran and Tom stood out in a lethargic looking team, which was out-passed and out run by mediocre opposition. Enough of the negatives. Despite this, Sutton always have fight in them and, after going behind, nearly pulled the game back, only losing by one goal in the end.
The game kicked off with Riverlino earning an early corner which led to nothing. In next few minutes both teams struggled to find their way, until in the 7th minute Riverlino scored with a shot from the edge of the area. The game continued with nothing much going on until Dan Yeoman hit a rasping shot from 30 yards which hit the bar. There were half chances for both teams in the following few minutes until Sutton won a corner. Luke’s accurate corner was headed in by the excellent Tony who made a late run at the back post levelling the score at 1-1 in the 18th minute. A few more chances for both teams, but the match continued in a lack-lustre fashion. In the 37th minute, Keiran came on for Dan and immediately added bit of urgency to the proceedings. With 3 minutes to go to half time Riverlino scored their second. A minute later, disaster beckoned as Sutton conceded a penalty, but Monk in goal saved the penalty diving low to his right to clear.
Half time now and Phil Smith came on for John Edgar and Aaron Holmes for Ben Singh. More half chances for both sides, including shots from Keiran and Phil. Also Monk saved a 30yd free kick.
With 11 minutes of the second half gone Riverlino won a corner and scored to make it 3-1. After this, Charlie came on for Mark.
In the 60th minute a volley from Riverlino made it 4-1.
Sutton then picked up the pace a bit and Phil had a shot saved. On 65, Tony who had now moved to attacking midfield picked up the ball on the edge of the box and lobbed the Riverlino keeper to make it 4-2. A couple of chances fell to Sutton but were wide of the mark. Tom came on for Andy in the 69th minute and immediately started to make a difference. Both Tony and Nathan had chances set up by Tom but again went wide. The best move of the match followed involving Tom, Tony and Keiran and led to a Sutton corner but this was cleared. Dan came on for Nathan in the 77th to shore up the tiring midfield. A couple of further chances came to either side but nothing came of them. The last sub on 82 was Mark for Aaron. Despite his short time on the pitch, the influential Tom made it 4-3 in the 84th minute. Corners for each team followed, but in the last minute Luke had a chance to level with a shot from 25 yards but it was saved and the ref blew the final whistle.
There are positives to be taken from this match. Firstly, all teams can have a bad day and it’s good to do it in a friendly rather than a league game. Secondly, to play badly and only lose by the odd goal shows the team has got some backbone.
Report by Robert
