This one should make Match of the Day tonight. A fine Spring afternoon for this toppish of the table clash between 3rd placed Saints, 70 points from 38 games, and 4th placed Sutton Utd., 63 points from 35. Neither side can afford to lose, and both will hope that Aldershot and Canvey Island slip up, more than once.
For today, CooKie selected Wilmot in goal; 4 at the back: Evans, Brown, Campbell and Naylor (C); 4 in the middle: Young, Challinor, Kean and Lodge; and up front; Martin and De Souza. On the bench: himself, Hyatt, Deacon, White and, returning from loan, Mackail-Smith. The walking wounded were in the stand.
Sutton, a well-drilled team, had the better of the opening exchanges against a City side somewhat lacklustre in the firsy half. The U's looked the more creative and opened the scoring 20 minutes into the game when a looping header came back off the crossbar to be volleyed home by Palmer. 0-1. Real chances were few during the first period, and Saints came close to stealing an equaliser when a Martin header hit the bar and Lodge's follow-up volley was just wide. H.T. 0-1.
Later, in the clubhouse, the kit-man claimed that he gave the half-time team talk. If so, he should give it every week as this was a totally different Saints team in the second half. Purposeful from the off, City scored within a couple of minutes. Martin took possession wide on the right and close to the goal-line. Seemingly well policed, the City striker slipped his marker to the surprise of the visitors defence, and sent in a superb cross towards Brown 12 yards from goal who met the ball at full stretch to send an unstoppable header into the top left corner of the net. 1-1.
City were now well on top, playing very good football and working well for each other. The home defence was solid and dealt with the rare visitors' attacks with comfort. Saints earned a succession of corners and were the side far more likely to take the points. It was good football, patient with the ball on the ground. City left it late. 5 minutes from time, and Lodge hit the first outswinging corner of the half towards Brown, 12 yards out, who sent a high header towards goal and over the visitors keeper into the net. 2-1. City didn't let up and came close to adding to the score in the last couple of minutes. F.T. 2-1.
This was very good football in the second half, as good as it has been for the past couple of months. Sutton were well-organised generally but City were well worth the 3 points today. The sponsors awarded MotM to Brown, for the two goals of course, although he looked a little ring rusty to me having missed the last 5 games due to injury. For me, Martin had an excellent games closely followed by Campbell and Lodge. They all played their part.
The crowd was 466 with 120 or so up from Surrey.
Entertainment 8/10. Atmosphere 7/10. Technical merit 8/10. Referee 3/10.
Report by Homer |
