Telford 2nd XI 3-2 Sutton (DTZ One) Nov 25 Sutton once again put in an improved performance this week but were beaten by Telford in a keenly contested match.
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Debutant Louie Yates finished confidently to put Sutton ahead after some neat play, but they then fell behind to two unfortunate goals before the break. The game also saw both teams have a player sin binned. In the second half, Sutton again started brightly and it wasn't long before stand-in skipper Nick Dale converted a well drilled short corner. Sutton pressed on hard for a third, creating several chances, but it was Telford who scored after some good individual skill. Heads did not drop, however, and Sutton continued to show the spirit that is sure to win them games in the future writes Peter Trickey. Nottingham 3rd XI 3-2 Sutton Sutton opened brightly and looked the part, passing the ball around and hitting Nottingham on the break. Coshan and James in the middle of the park disrupted the Nottingham forward moves and the pace of Harris and Czaicki out wide provided chances for Harding and Parkes who looked dangerous up front. Twice Sutton went close before Harding fired home from the top of the D, beating the keeper at his near post. Nottingham equalised through their first foray into the Sutton D through a short corner before Sutton went ahead once again. Harding won a free hit from another quick break and immediately played the ball to Harris who squared the ball in front of the keeper for Parkes to force the ball home. Nottingham drew level again against the run of play with a second frustrating short corner. Half time appeared to settle Nottingham and it was they who came out with purpose in the second half. Decisions started to go against Sutton and their discipline slipped. Nottingham then scored what turned out to be the decisive third goal - another short corner - and Sutton started to panic. Sutton fought hard to regain possession time and time again but were wayward with their own passing which handed time and control back to Nottingham. The more time marched on, the more stressed Sutton got. In the last ten minutes Nottingham held on with Sutton getting agonisingly closer but not quite good enough reports Ian Harding. Sutton Ladies 3rd Xl 4-0 Rugby Sutton played their first game of the season at Wyndley and were determined to build on the previous weeks of hard work and determination. The game started off with Sutton very quickly getting the ball and putting pressure on the Rugby goal. Good build up play and quick passing soon payed off when a magnificent goal was scored into the roof of the net by Sarah Finegan. This was closely followed by a second from Katy Guteridge who neatly lifted the ball over the rugby keeper and into the back of the net.
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Sutton continued to dominate the game and were rewarded from a short corner when the ball came out at speed and switched left to Simone Richardson who neatly slotted the ball into the left corner of the goal. The second half started off at the same pace with Sutton again quickly putting pressure onto the Rugby D. Midfielders Claire Barnes, Katy Guteridge, Fiona Maxwell, Chelsea Orr and Gemma Kehoa worked tirelessly to feed the forwards while the defence mopped up any stray balls and kept Rugby out. Sutton were soon rewarded with another goal from close range by Fiona Maxwell and finished the game with a well deserved win writes Simone Richardson. Telford 3-4 Sutton (DTZ Prem) Nov 18 Table toppers Telford played host to a Sutton team still brooding from the previous week's defeat at Mansfield. Little did we know what lay install for the league leaders as they confidently went about their game plan and accrued a three-nil lead by half time. A slight adjustment to the personnel and a "pressing" game plan meant that Sutton had the early pressure in the second half. Ollie Westbrook had a flick cleared off the line before, with fifteen minutes left, Josh Hendon gave Sutton a lifeline with a well taken individual effort. A minute later the same player was on the end of a team movement for a simple tap in. With Telford reeling, a smart counter down the right and a crisp ball into the D saw Jon Ward deflect the ball goal-wards and watch it rebound in off the post. The most unlikely of comebacks was completed when "captain fantastic" Richard Nicklin dived full length stick outstretched to reach a cross from the left, deflecting it into an unguarded goal writes Peter Rowley. Sutton 7th XI 9-2 Evesham 4th XI Nov 18 After three losses on the trot, the sevens provided a perfect example of bouncebackability. A good passing move through the midfield and out wide to Wager saw the ball arrive at Holton's stick who fired home for the first goal. Sutton pushed again and a shot cleared on the line with a foot saw a confident Hargreaves score with a well-placed penalty flick. The mixture of experience and youth, Collins and Hargreaves, in the Sutton midfield work well. The Sutton defence of Poulton, Smith, Rob Jones and Richardson were always in control and Sutton coped with every thing Evesham could throw at them. Caunce finished off the first half with a rocket shot into the top right hand corner of the Evesham goal. Early in the second half an Evesham short corner produced a goal and this gave them renewed hope, but an instant reply from Wager close in restored the three goal lead. Timing his runs at the Evesham goal perfectly David Perry scored five cracking goals. A second goal from Evesham came late on and to their credit they never gave up trying. Evesham didn’t play badly - Sutton never allowed them to play well. The old heads of Richardson, Poulton, Collins, Smith and Proudman complemented the youth and added to a great team performance writes Andy Proudman. Sutton Women 3rd XI 2-2 B'ham Uni 3rd XI Nov 18 A few changes to the Sutton line up meant they were expecting a tough encounter against a fit Birmingham Uni team but not deterred Sutton were determined to come away with something. Sutton started brightly and forced a number of chances in the first few minutes but came away with nothing. They raised their game matching the opposition in almost all areas and creating chances. They were rewarded when a good clearance and some quick passing through the middle found Sarah Finigan who fired a shot from the left side of the D and into the back of the net. The defence worked hard and some outstanding last ditch tackles and goal line clearances kept the visitors in the game. Birmingham managed to pull one back to bring the score level going into half time. Sutton continued to work hard and create chances but found themselves under a lot of pressure which resulted in Birmingham scoring their second. Undeterred the Sutton side continued to work hard and were rewarded when Fiona Maxwell scored from close range from a well worked short corner to bring the scores level reports Simone Richardson Mansfield 3-0 Sutton (DTZ Prem) Nov 11 Sutton started brightly and for the first twenty minutes took the game to Mansfield but, as with other games this season, their concentration waned and their level of performance dropped at a crucial time just before half time. Mansfield won a series of short corners which Sutton failed to clear allowing Mansfield to perfect their routine, resulting in the only goal of the half. Unfortunately Sutton started the second half as poorly as they ended the first and could hardly string two passes together. For the first 10 minutes, Sutton were subjected to wave upon wave of Mansfield attack, the pressure eventually paying off with one goal from open play and a third from another short corner. At three-nil down, Sutton finally awoke from their slumber and started to compete for the ball, string passes together and look like the side that won its last two matches. Eight short corners were won but none converted, the Mansfield defence held firm and Sutton were left to rue their missed opportunities reports Pete Rowley. Northampton 3rd XI 1-3 Sutton Nov 11 Sutton were in danger of being savaged in the first half but were able to tame the opposition and turn the game round in the second half. Poor passing and panicked clearing allowed Northampton Saints apply far too much pressure, McGuigan between the sticks keeping the visitors out almost single handedly on more than one occasion. It was inevitable that Saints would score after a poor out ball presented a two on one opportunity though McGuigan nearly kept the ball out. Somehow, Sutton got themselves back level in the first half, Ali James feeding Louis Yates on the back post. Ten minutes into the second half and Sutton started to find their feet. A flowing passing move that swept left to right and back saw left back Tom Nicholls combine with Nick Parkes and Yates and lay on a beautifully weighted pass to Ian Harding who nut megged the keeper to send Sutton in front. Harding and then Harris were both guilty of missing goal scoring chances supplied by each other before the game was put out of Lions reach – Richard Meanley, who had talked heroically all game, cleared up at the top of the D and found Harding on half way. Harding supplied Parkes with a rapier like pass which sent him through on the keeper to slot home Sutton’s third writes Ian Harding. Sutton Women 1-0 Olton (ENC3) Nov 5 The scoreline belies a tremendous game as each side tried to find ways to overcome, at times, some desperate defending. Sutton have been playing very well in the league but unfortunately have lost games in the final few minutes. Not this time as Sutton scored with just a few minutes to go. What a goal it was too! It was a beautifully crafted goal which should have been filmed and made compulsory viewing for all sports devotees. Claire James captured the ball at the top of the Sutton 'D', dummied the Olton attackers one way and passed a 20 yard ball to Jane Sixsmith who having seen Katie Long free on the right delivered a pinpoint accurate 30 yard pass, thus allowing Katie to sprint towards goal and, whilst in the 'D', feint to the right and yet at the same time cross the ball to Sandeep Kaul who joyously smashed in the winning goal. Not one Olton player touched the ball in this sublime four pass, 80 yard move. This game will restore Sutton'e confidence and re-assure them that their young team can beat anyone in the country writes Peter Westbrook. Sutton 1st XI 6-4 Edgbaston (DTZ Prem) Nov 4 Sutton scored a crucial victory against fellow strugglers Edgbaston which could prove decisive at the sharp end of the season. Although Sutton started the slower of the two teams they managed to take the lead twice only to see it gifted back through sloppy mistakes. But Sutton's resolve has strengthened considerably in the last few weeks and a marvellous counter attacking move produced the moment of the match: a delightful reverse stick chip from James Maxwell which floated over the Edgbaston goalkeeper and into the top right hand corner of the net. In the second half Sutton became rampant scoring three more times to lead 6-2 before taking their collective foot off the gas and conceding two goals in the last five minutes. James Maxwell and Josh Hendon both scored a brace, Sam Straw and Oli Westbrook completed the scoring for Sutton reports Peter Rowley. Sutton Women 3rd XI 2-2 Edgbaston Nov 4 After their last two wins, a confident Sutton side took on Edbaston and were determined to come away with something. The first half saw a lot of good passing and pressure being put on Edgbaston's defence who managed to keep Sutton out. Sutton also defended well until a dubious short corner was given against Sutton from which Edgbaston scored. Despite going into the second half a goal down a determined Sutton side came back scoring from a well worked short corner - Beth Willis finding the net. Sutton again found themselves a goal behind when Edgbaston scored but this only spurred Sutton on to work harder and some good passing and working of the ball resulted in an excellent goal being scored by Katy Gutteridge. Sutton managed to absorb any attacks from Edgbaston from some good defending and the team working hard. Another wave of good attacking play saw Sutton scoring a third goal through Gemma Kehoe only for it to be disallowed and Sutton having to be content with a draw writes Simone Richardson. | 
