Sunninghill Grind Out Result...
The team today battled to a hard fought Victory over Wheatsheaf in a game that finished 3-2 to the home side, Ward was still unavailable, as was Ben Moutrey, so Charlie Harcup started on t he right side of midfield, Tim Finch started up front and the rest of the side were unchanged from last weeks draw at Blackwater Valley.
After a sloppy start with both sides looking to test each other out in the middle of the park Sunninghill started to take hold of proceedings creating a couple of half chances which didnt really test the keeper, Charlie Harcup was getting a lot of joy early on using his pace against the left full back delivering a number of crosses into the area, and it was from one such move after Forde released Harcup that his cross was met by Bennett who stole in front of his marker controlling the ball well before firing across the keeper into the far corner, more chances came with Parker and Finch both having efforts scrambled away in quick succession.
Wheatsheaf started to come into the game more as the tempo dropped and from a Reagan goal kick the ball was headed back and volleyed in behind Riding and the striker was able to nip in a lift the ball past the onrushing Reagan to make it 1-1.
The game stayed a bit scrappy but with Sunninghill looking more dangerous when going forward and Bennett again put the home side in front after a superb turn and through ball from Finch released the striker who carried the ball into the area and slotted past the keeper, and a first half hat trick was denied when Finch again set the striker away only for his effort to beat the keeper but hit the far post, roll across the goal line, hit the other post before it was finally cleared by the Wheatsheaf defence.
Reagan had to be at his best to make a couple of full stretch saves to deny Wheatsheaf who had resorted to mostly efforts from range after failing to break down the back line.
Clinton Harcup had to be replaced by Gurr after suffering a neck injury with the shape changing to a 3-5-2, McDowell moved into the middle of the park whilst Gurr joined Riding and Zutshi in a back 3.
Half time came with the home side ahead without ever getting going
Half Time 2-1
The side started the second half brighter winning the ball back straight from kick off and some neat interplay between Parker and Bennett led to the latter dragging his shot wide of the far post, the back line were looking solid dealing with a pretty direct Wheatsheaf approach, and the midfield 3 of Parker, McDowell and man of the match Rob Forde on top of things.
The 2 goal cushion came soon after when an Underwood free kick was headed back across goal beating everyone and finding the unmarked McDowell who on the half volley drilled it back across the face of goal for Forde to power the ball over the line from 2 yards out.
There were more than enough chances to put the game out of sight with Bennett beating the back line with ease on numerous occasions but some poor finishing meant the scoreline was unchanged, with ten minutes left a counter attack after some Wheatsheaf pressure resulted in Gurr finding space on the edge of the area but the young centre back dragged his shot wide of the post.
With 5 minutes remaining Wheatsheaf pulled the score back to 3-2 with a goal out of nothing, their midfielder picked the ball up 30 yards out and hit an unstoppable effort dipping over the stranded Reagan and underneath the crossbar, the visitors then sensed an equaliser from a game that would in truth have flattered them and had one chance after a cut back a fine sliding block from Gurr making sure that the effort didnt test Reagan in goal.
The final whistle blew and it was a hard fought victory that puts us back on winning ways and maintained our 100% home record this season.
Next week we have no game at the moment as the league have not given us a fixture.
Player Ratings
Chris Reagan - Made some great saves at crucial times and could not be faulted for goals. 8.
Jai Zutshi - Solid defensively and got forward well until moved into centre back role. 7.
Paul McDowell - Dominant in the air as usual, moved into midfield and battled well before subbed. 7.
Clinton Harcup - Started off solidly but was forced off early with a neck injury. 6.
Martin Riding - Another consistent display, looked to push on before solid once again moving into centre back role. 7.
Dan Parker - Good captains performance, doinated in the middle and got forward well, unlucky not to score... again.8.
Rob Forde - Man of the match display, didnt stop working for 90 minutes, pulled the strings in midfield battle. 8.
Charlie Harcup - Looked very lively going forward early before moving to wing back which restricted attacking oppertunities. 7.
Toby Underwood - Good display, distributed ball well and worked hard down left side. 7.
Jon Bennett - Worked hard, squandered a number of good chances that may have proved costly. 7.
Tim Finch - Suffering a lack of match fitness, linked up well but legs werent all there. 6.
Sub
John Gurr - Early entrance to game, slotted in well and dealt with Wheatsheaf front line without major problems 7.
