A test for any team after a defeat is their bouncebackability, Sutton have no worries in this department where they hold the proud record of always bouncing back and producing the goods after a defeat. Todays opponents were Holly Name at Red House Park, a happy hunting ground for the Sutton boys in the past on a morning where the sun was shining brightly down on them. This is what Sunday morning football is all about, Game on.
The game kicked off with Sutton immediately taking control of the game. I can honestly say the Holly team could not get out of their half as Sutton hunted them down like a pack of wolves, winning every battle across the field. Kai marshalled the defence feeding the midfield where Zac and Mitch were orchestrating the pattern of play, going close several times with long range shots. The wing wizards were Brookes and Hussey who really stretched the holly team. Both were very positive and direct going forward, as soon as they received the ball they attacked purposely down the line. It was a joy to watch but probably the only thing missing was a goal. But with this kind of dominance we were all sure it would come and in the 12th minute that time had arrived. A trademark Will Hussey corner (the best in the business at this) was beautifully flighted to the back stick where the on rushing Zac Shaw tapped it home to give Sutton a deserved lead, 1-0. Sutton continued with their short sharp passing game, Holly did start to get into the game but struggled to threaten Jacob’s goal. Late on in the half saw Matty Birch come on for Nesta with devastating effect. The ball got slipped through to Matty in the penalty area and with his first touch he leathered the ball in the bottom of the goal, 2-0 at half-time.
The second half kicked off where Holly managed to win a corner straight away. The ball got whipped in and took a deflection off a Sutton player to give Holly a lifeline in the game, 2-1. Now Holly were starting to look more threatening but with Sutton still going forward the game opened up more. Again another break away from Holly which resulted in them winning a dubious penalty. Their attacker broke into the box and seemed to had lost the ball after Kai had put him off but just caught his leg after the ball. Holly unbelievably had the chance to level. Jacob ‘the cat’ made himself big in the goal and did enough to put the penalty taker off as he slammed it against the post. Straight away up the other end Will Baker nearly extended Suttons lead when his deflected shot just looped over the bar. Then Hussey delivered another great corner and again Zac ran in and headed the ball down into the net, 3-1. It was a must needed goal and gave Sutton the breathing space they needed. Holly did try and threaten but with Tom back in defence they rarely got through and if they did there was no way past Jacob. Sutton ran out worthy winners and produced another great game of football which its army of fans fully appreciated.
MOM. Tom Brookes produced a dynamic midfield performance in the first half and was a rock in defence in the second. Great performance.
