Mens 1st XI vs Spalding 1

DERBY DAY DELIGHT ON SPALDING TURF FOR THE MENS 1S!!!

For as long as one can remember, tensions have always been high between the town in maroon and the town in green. Not Nellis though, he was around before such times. He has had a part to play in the Punic wars, The Crusades, The Great War and 248 Sutton-Spalding derbies!!! Thankfully for the team, the meaning behind this huge fixture had been passed on by Father Ellis and the lads dreamt of nothing other than 3 points on bonfire weekend! Fireworks in the sky, brought with it fireworks on the pitch! Could the lads write themselves in Green Army history books? Let's dive straight into our story of the 248th Sutton-Spalding derby! (true statistics may differ slightly)

Our story begins inside paper thin walls with Bessy in full flow. The boys chilled out with a bit of catch whilst Jim scuttled around in search of his deep heat! Prior to this game, Captain Baker had stressed the importance of discipline in and around the circle. We will revisit this again later... This was amongst 5 other points laid out in a beautiful looking WhatsApp message! During the team talk these were brushed over again... just to make sure everyone fully understood them... to be revisited also!

Out to warm up the jolly fellas went with thoughts of 3 points in their heads. With a skip, a jump and a scuttle they ventured along the road to stretch and be greeted by the welcome sight of Willy T and his blue badge! You'd have thought it would be Admin with the blue badge judging by his inability to keep on his feet inside the first 5 minutes!

Talking of first 5s, lets get into the action! Maroon v Green is a sight to behold on a hockey pitch and it rightfully drew a big crowd including a vast amount of travelling support for whom we are, as ever, eternally grateful for. They could be heard loud and clear alongside the home support by the boys and it came in handy. The start was sticky, but the pitch certainly was not and it took a bit of time to get used to with some of the boys spending time on their behinds. Spalding took an early lead after a wayward pass found an awaiting Spalding player who0 need only play a 1-2 round Pig for an easy tap in and take the lead.

The travelling fen men were growing into the game more and more with chances starting to present themselves. And sure enough, up stepped Baker to strike home the first on the backhand. Spalding weren't to be put down and continued to have chances of their own. The PCD crew kept out numerous corners with Pig being a huge part of this, making some crucial saves. The defence fought valiantly putting everything on the line. Oldfield moving the ball around and picking with aplomb, Donaghy as solid as ever, Fox putting literally everything on the line, Proctor marshalling at left back and Harrison scuttled around snuffing out and signs of danger. The defensive acts deserved a reward and so Tweedle dee (Mac) and Tweedle Dum (Baker) answered their wish. A perfect chuck over the top from Mac fell for Baker to latch onto, round 2 defenders and the keeper and slot home. Cue big celebrations. The travelling fans were up and about and so was Pete Worth's heart.

Sutton sat and defended their lead calmly for the rest of the half. Taylor, Gray and Ibrahim solidified the midfield and fortified the circle. The lads made it to the halfway point a goal to the good. HT 2-1

35 minutes to go for a big 3 points. Across the pitch galloped a fisherman with wise words to the team. It inspired the boys once more and they were rejuvenated ready for another 35 minutes of battle, staring down the maroon with the words of Tenacious D running through their heads... "I'm gonna f*ck you hard!"

However, it was not as hard as they'd have liked to begin with and more of a gentle one. Spalding asserted early dominance through a string of corners and converted one with a well worked routine to level the scores. Second halves had been Sutton's kryptonite this season and some good positions had slipped away during these periods. They had different ideas though. The game was looking more and more like the makings of a proper, proper derby, especially as it had a lot more twists and turns to come. Then, a twist and turn came from the midfield maestros who, with a perfect through ball, released Baker towards the circle who cut inside a defender to strike on his backhand which was saved well by the keeper, but the awaiting Batten was able to slot home to give Sutton back their lead.

Try as they might though, Sutton just could not prevent Spalding from winning PCs and after another was awarded they converted once more, despite agro from the Sutton PCD crew with the obvious slide tackle to score! 3-3. Squeaky bum time was approaching as we marched into the last 10. Sutton headed up the pitch and won a PC of their own. Baker rounded defenders and the keeper but a challenge through the back rewarded him with a penalty stroke.... and an ecstatic celebration rewarded him with a 2 minute sit down! Sutton needed a hero.. not Mac... to come forward and put their name in lights... up scuttled James Harrison!!! "I'll take it" he said as made his way to the spot! Silence from the side-lines as he prepared himself... He shoots.... HE SCORES!!! 4-3 to the men in Green as we head into the dying embers!

Baker was eager to keep the entertainment levels, and Pete's heart rate, at maximum level right to the last whistle. After he returned from his sit down, he soon got tired again and received his marching orders once more. Into the last 2 and Mac would also join Baker for a sit down just to add fuel to the fire in the defensive quarter. 8 players defending with their lives against 10 stampeding maroons! Foxy leapt highest to win a headed clearance to bring Donaghy back into the game for the final minute. Dom swooped in at the top of the circle with a might interception set for the clearance to all but confirm the win... and slapped it back to the centre back! Another march forward.... Spalding hammering at the door.. but they could not prevail. A 16 awarded. Jim to Dano - "Dan, just tw*t it!"... If there's one thing that man can do to save a game it is tw*t it! The ball sailed up the pitch and the resulting side-line was not enough for a winner as the whistle sounded and the boys celebrated with delight! 4-3 TO THE GREEN ARMY!!!

It did not matter how they did it. A derby day means it is only the result that matters and nothing else. The lads have come so far in 12 months and this result just proved it. It was party time post game and the boys enjoyed Bessy's Bangers in the clubhouse afterwards and made sure the whole of Surfleet could enjoy too! A proper derby day!!!

POTM was Foxy. It could have been anyone but Foxy well and truly fought to the end with every inch he had within him and every limb he had on the line. Derby days need warriors for a win and Foxy certainly headed up the charge!

Next up, Magpies visit HQ for the first time in some years. 14:30 PB, see you there!