Mens 1st XI vs Cambridge University 2

After what felt like an eternity, the good lads of the mens 1s finally returned to hockey at HQ. Festivities were over and done with an it was time to get back to business for the second half of the season! In away fixture, Uni 2s put the lads to bed with a 4-1 win, mainly down to an inconvenient drag flicker who could bin them regularly. Rude. Fortunately for the men in green, he was not keen on the trip to the fens. He was clearly aware of the bomb threat placed in Holbeach after Mac left one of his grenades lying around and thought “stuff that”. Pussy.

This fixture saw the return of some big names to the first team frame. Tom Baguley returned after several years away and looked like he had never left showing his class throughout. And of course, Josh Fyson returned after 10 months out with a broken spine! Two quality additions to the side who walked out with 14. A fantastic warmup, tunes provided by Bessy and we were ready to rock and roll. The game began in opposite fashion to usual. Sutton pressed high for the first 5 with an organised press and were displayed in doing so, forcing several Uni mistakes. A couple chances came and went in this period but nothing of note. Uni slowly grew into the game but never looked a threat on the green door. The first goal was to come nearly 20 minutes into the half. A quick interception from Mac was followed by a pin point pass to Baker who was waiting high up the pitch to counter against the high uni back line. He carried 1v1 on the keeper, rounded him to the right, cut inside and back sticked it into the net. Thankfully, the umpire didn’t see this and the score read 1-0. #winsomeyoulosesome

The second and third weren’t far away either. Batten carried through and pounced on a ball to find Mac (unfortunately for Batten, the keeper also pounced on his ball) who cleverly finished on handed on the backhand from the baseline! #magicman

Nicholas was next to the party after a rogue Fox appeared in the circle, upsetting the keeper, and assisted the veteran to make the scoreline 3-0 and give the home side a wonderful cushion. #crysomemore

The boys remained organised throughout and saw out the half well. Jim, Baggers, Dano and Admin all relatively untroubled across the back snuffing most things out from the travelling side. The reliable Pig making a few saves here and there to keep his clean sheet for now. HT 3-0

The second began with Uni coming out firing. However, they had the same attacking threat in the final third of a lion chasing a gazelle with no legs. Every time they managed to create something of a chance they went Spursy and bottled it! Once again, a pin point breakaway attack would be their kryptonite. A perfect, airial from Jim over the top of the high back line was perfect for JB who entered the circle, cut back and hammered a back hand shot to seal his brace and add the teams 4th goal. He would soon be presented another chance by Nel to snatch a Hattie. A similar move, rounding the keeper… open goal…. GOOAAA… oh. He’s missed. Again. Idiot. Now it’s a old wives tale as to whether or not JB agreed to £50 per open goal miss but, fortunately for his bank account, nothing was every written down formally…

As the second half seeped away Uni we’re losing time and the Sutton lads noticed this. Sitting deep, remaining organised and clearing any sort of threat. Sambo and Dom were relentless in midfield, Rag was snuffing out any wide attacks and Fyson… well Fyson got a yellow card. Welcome back. #oldhabitsdiehard

The final whistle sounded as the Uni boys won one last PC. It was not to be for the men in green as a lucky upward deflection of Pig was tapped home by the awaiting Uni attacker to ruin the hopes and dreams of a first clean sheet. Wouldn’t be the Sutton way if we did keep it though would it? FT 4-1

POTM - Pigman. A solid display between the sticks #digthepig

DOTD - JB - open goal miss. Melon

Item of the day winner - Baggers for his best Tony Hawk impression

Next up is a big game away to St Ives who sit at the foot of the table. Another 3 points will chuck Sutton well in the hat for mid-table contenders. Reminiscent of a prime Stoke City of 2013! 25/1/25 - St Ives away - 14:00 PB - see you there!