This will not quite be one of my War and Peace missives because it is Mother’s Day and I have lots of DIY chores to do (make of that what you will!).
This was the first home game in some time – and it was not a pretty sight. The grass was 6 inches tall and the ground overtly lumpy. We had no corner flags and had to be grateful the opposition turned up and stayed to play – because the referee was conspicuously absent! Stuart Birch stepped into the breach and did a magnificent job – despite missing a hacking tackle on his own son in the second half!
This was a game of goals – but all in the first 20 minutes. Dost Hill stunned the home side by opening the scoring after 5 minutes. Careless marking allowed a super Dost Hill corner cross to land on a DH head and the ball shot into the back of the net – Jacob had no chance of saving that – 0-1!
Defensive play continued from Sutton as Dost Hill were in their stride and Kai, Matty and Will Hussey did a lot of excellent work to stop them from scoring again. Sutton did get the ball on the break after 10 minutes and Nesta shot just wide. Alex had an incredible spell where he was blocking, tackling and preventing Dost Hill who were throwing everything at Sutton but the kitchen sink. Alex then successfully slipped a ball through to Zak in the 14th minute and with a nifty shifty manoeuvre Zak flicked the ball over the goalkeeper’s head – a stylish and well worked goal – 1- 1!
Sutton’s next goal came minutes later with Alex making a fabulous break down the left and then crossing the ball to Will Hussey who slapped it hard into the net through a crowded goalmouth – 2-1 to the home side!
Zak came off and Mitch came on (Nesta had already been substituted for Will Baker who had played staunchly) and there was a frantic 5 minute spell from both sides. At one point Sutton were awarded a free kick when Alex was brought down on the edge of the box but Sutton unfortunately could not find the net from this advantageous position.
Right on half time Dost Hill got the break they needed and they pushed forward and managed to chip the ball over Jacob’s outstretched arms. 2-2. It was probably a fair score at this juncture.
In the second half I failed to take many notes because my paper was wet and my pen had run out but suffice to say there was a lot of fighting spirit from Sutton which including brave, battling performances in particular from Will Hussey, Alex and Kai. It could have been all over when Zak (back on again for Will Hussey) crossed the ball and right in the goalmouth Nesta slipped the ball wide of the net – but another goal was not meant to be.
A long range shot from Dost Hill was saved by Jacob and another great cross down the left from Alex arrowed onto Zak’s head but the shot landed in the keeper’s hands. Matty came on for Nesta but all his endeavours to work the ball up and into a striking opportunity did not materialise.
Calum came on part way through the second half and with Sutton starting to be overrun on a pitch which was heavy and muddy by a strong and big Dost Hill side, he put in a sterling effort which included two ‘late in the day’ superb and game saving defensive tackles which were enough to make Calum Man of the Match in a game where all played their heart and souls out. Us Mums (and Dads) were very proud!
Lesson’s to be learnt?
Write in the rain with a pencil and stand under an umbrella if you want to put together a decent match report. Let Stuart referee every home game – Howard Webb pales into insignificance compared to the Big Man. Cut the grass if we want to showcase Sutton’s passing skills and winning ways!!!
Match report by Sarah Shaw
