MATCH REPORT

Sutton make valiant return to Div 1

After a mega pre-season, Sutton were as ready as they'll ever be for their return to Div 1. The squad was well settled and it was great to see numbers high and so many keen. Cambs City 2s were the opposition, who last season were unluckily relegated from the prem so this was sure to be a tricky, testing opener.

The game started fast with City showing their experience at this level with high ball pace and low touches. The Sutton defence of Fox, Donaghy, Harrison and Proctor were tested but to begin with held firm. It was just after 10 minutes that City would bag the opener. Sutton's response was electric however. A brilliant move down the left through the likes of Watt, Taylor, East, Gray and Proctor resulted in a penalty corner upon a circle entry. Sutton attacks were becoming more frequent and they were gaining success down the flanks through Ellis, Batten, Sargeant and Watt. Shortly after a small period of Sutton dominance the ball fell to Baker wide outside the circle who rounded two to smash home on the forehand and level the score line. City however weren't going to be pegged back that easily and in quick succession put two away. Within this timeframe Baker took a short sit down through disagreement with the umpire as did Harrison after a rather interesting attempt at a tackle. Before the half was done, Ellis played a ball through to Baker who muscled through and dodged and weaved down the baseline through red shirts to flick home calmly on the backhand. HT 3-2 to City

The second half was much the same. High City possession with Sutton counters here and there. About halfway through the half Baker received a yellow for a disgusting shake of the head and during his 5 minute sit down Sutton conceded the first flick of the game due to a heroic stop on the line from Proctor. It wasn't the prettiest of flicks and it was probably the only thing you'd say POTM Piggers did wrong during the game after letting a ball travelling slower than Nellis creep under him!!! Sutton responded well again with some more counters and threatened when let loose. A ball through from Ibrahim to Batten was just out of reach but Baker came across to fire goalwards but the keeper was positioned perfectly to stand and wear it on the shoulder! With 5 to go, Sutton had made it into the opposition circle and the ball fell to Taylor to push home on his forehand into the bottom corner to bring Sutton just one away! However, with little minutes left on the clock, despite resolute defending, Sutton were unlucky to give away another flick through use of a dangling left leg! This one was out away with aplomb and the game was all but over. FT 5-3

Sutton should hold their heads high after that performance. They battled hard with a side boasting so much experience at this level and in the second half managed not to concede any open play goals. The boys travel to Cambridge next week for the first of many trips there this season!

POTM - James Cliff. A phenomenal performance between the sticks from the Pig!