Mens 1st XI vs Harleston Magpies 2

Sutton headed down to Suffolk this weekend to face Harleston Magpies for the longest away trip of the season. Earlier in the season, the lads had won 4-2 at home with one of their best performances this year. This time round was always going to be trickier, especially with a depleted 11 man squad through injuries and work commitments. They welcomed Ben Hales into the squad for his 1st team debut and he slotted in comfortably at right back

Sutton began brightly putting Magpies under early pressure. Chances began to rise but it was a mazy run from Baker finishing with a sweet backhand shot that broke the deadlock early on and put the greens ahead. More chances came in the first half for the likes of East, Fox, Sargeant and Baker but they were unable to double the lead. The lack of subs was starting to take its toll on the lads and Magpies slowly came back into the game. Pressure on the front foot from them meant that, after a tricky 5 minute period at the end of the half, the score was suddenly 2-1 to the home side

The second half began slowly again for Sutton and Magpies notched a third. This did not deter the boys as they came back at the home side hard. East came close with a 1 on 1 chance, Baker was close with 2 shots saved on the goal line by outfield players and Fox perhaps unlucky not to win a stroke. A couple corners were also won for the travelling side and a well worked routine came a whisker away from being slotted home. Finally, the hard work was rewarded after Harrison found Baker who after beating a few players span the ball into East who was left to slot the ball past the Magpies keeper to reduce the deficit to 1. The defence of Proctor, Harrison, Donaghy, Hales and Cliff between the sticks were working admirably on tired legs. The attack were working hard to create as much as they could to level up the scores but it wasn’t to be. A late sucker punch from Magpies on the break all but confirmed the result.

FT 4-2 Magpies. The lads were unlucky on the road and certainly on another day with extra numbers, would’ve come away with 3 points in hand

Next fixture - Wisbech (H) 14:30 - 8/3/25