Mens 1st XI vs Cambridge 1

Another away day, another trip to Cambridge…

With 11 men, Sutton made the trek into Cambs to face CHC. The ex CCHC 2s club and friends. Only a matter of time until the club folds. The agreed meet time was 14:45 for what ended up being a 16:00 pushback. JB, Mac and Eddy arrived at 14:24, Sambo at 14:40, Dom shortly after and Nicholas at 14:45:26. Is this late? It certainly divided opinion and factually that is after the specific meet time so I deem it as LATE! No Bessy this week. She is a fair weather girl and it was important she didn’t get her hair wet after last night’s pamper session. With only having 11, the lineup was looking slightly different. Eddy came in once again from the 2s and did not look out of place whatsoever. Nellis headed the forward line with love island contestants Dom and Sam behind him. Mac was the third wheel, Batten took up his usual spot on the right with Dano coughing up a lung at right back behind him. Admin had his usual spot reserved and Mikey found himself a new CB partner in JB! Finally, the ever reliable Pig was between the sticks. And so let the game begin!

Cambridge asserted early dominance with Sutton camped up for the early periods, relieving the pressure with long balls into the high corners of the pitch for Batten, Nellis and Eddy to latch onto. The first goal came from an unlucky upwards deflection and a CHC player was the first to pounce. Not long after 1 became 2 for the home side. However, the CHC pressure was relieving as the side tired, giving the travelling 11 time to plan a route of attack. A free hit outside the 23 was played into the circle by JB for Batten to run across and get a cheeky touch into the bottom corner. Cambridge replied well with a third before half time. 3-1

The second half began in favour of Sutton. A change up with Nellis moving wide and Batten up high brought success. Another ball into the circle by Baker was perfect for Batten to pounce on to and slot his second of the day. From here, Sutton felt they could get something from their afternoon out. It was not to be however. CHC replied strongly with two of their own, one being a stroke and the other an OG by the Pig. Not much he could’ve done about it but it just about summed up the feelings for the away side and how unlucky they had been. Nevertheless, the greens kept on fighting. A 16 yard hit taken by JB resulted in him finding himself inside the opposition 23, to play a perfect ball through to Mac to deflect the ball cleverly over the GK to make the score 5-3. The keeper was not a fan of such goal. He later decided to kick out at Mac who in turn popped his shoulder out and the opposition shot stopper was left wailing on the floor as Private East walked away like the joker from a burning hospital!

The Greens switched to an attacking 433 for the final 5 to see what else they could snatch from the game. Another lob from East almost found it’s way in but unfortunately the home side would have the last say. Final score, 6-3.

DOTD was Sambo. A swing and a miss and football skills won him the award. Quite a good effort after the admin forgot his entire kit bag, which was left on the driveway in Fleet!

POTM was JB taking a temporary role at CB and notching some classy assists.

Next week will see the return of some welcome faces. Foxy Bingo comes back into the fray along with Jim and his fine cards! And hopefully a wallet full of cash!!! Next game, UEA at home, 14:30, Saturday. See you there!!!