Sutton Common Rovers (A)

[Red army]

Well we are finally back. Been a lot of doom and gloom around the club this pre-season. H&S issues and recruitment harder than the management team had anticipated.

All those troubles seemed a distant memory after a blistering start. Long pass into the penalty area, Adrian Clifton and his marker tussling for the bouncing ball, out of no where the keeper came bundling into the Hayes striker who went down in a tangle of arms and legs. Ref well placed and fair play to him pointed to the spot after 8 seconds, big decision early in the game and gave it without hesitation. Adrian Clifton picked himself up and cooly placed his spot kick to the keepers left sending him the wrong way. The second soon followed Cole Brown cut inside from the right slipped a ball into the forward run of Jonathan Hippolyte, beating the offside trap into the area, slotting calmly past the advancing SCR keeper. Can’t remember a start like that from us in such a long time. Unfortunately lapses in concentration brought a goal back for the home side, good work on the Hayes left, SCR winger pulling a low cross to the penalty spot, first time finish leaving Juliasz Pazio no chance. Long throw from the right had the keeper flapping again just beyond his near post, him and a defender getting in each others way producing a flap that fell just behind Adrian Clifton his sharp turn and overhead kick producing the 3rd for the away side.
Half was full of chances for Hayes, good work form Jonathan Hippolyte quick feet cutting inside shot deflected high and wide. Perrie Landolo with a direct run to the by line, pulled his pass back into the path of Hani Berchiche, his effort over form 10yds out. Cole Brown marauding forward inside the box his effort blocked away. SCR settled as the half went on and produced a clear chance of their own, shot dragged wide with the keeper to beat. Ht 1-3

Second half was the complete opposite to the first, fitness and scrappy throughout. SCR few half chances but never really looked threatening, some good possesion but no cutting edge. Maybe a organised Hayes defence making it difficult. Only two chances for Hayes I remember, free kick comfortably pushed away from the keeper from Perrie Landolo, late run from Cole Brown into the area cleared away by the last defender.

Decent start and will only improve the more games they get under their belt.

Mom there was a few you could give it too. Adrian And Jonathan amongst the goals. I’m going for Shawn Joseph calm in his defending good one v one when called into action. Some good long range passes into the wide men, switch of play creating few opportunities in both half’s.

[PSG55]

Thanks for the lowdown as always Red army. Will admit I had to do a double-take a few times for the first 5mins. Seemed to be raining goals!

Out of curiosity, what formation did we play?

[Red army]

4-3-3 the 2 wide forwards Hippolyte and Hercules worked tirelessly covering their full backs. Never saw that last season was huge gaps in the wide areas throughout last season.

[Mr Heinstein]

Thanks for the great match report.

Having only eight players announced at the start of the day it's a relief to me to have a match-winning team by 5pm and to hear that one of last season's tactical issues (the lack of width) has already been addressed. There's nothing like a win to make things look 100x better!

Here's hoping the gaffer can build on this success and lead the team a step closer to Wembley on Saturday.

[Mr Heinstein]

Just noticed there's a post-match interview with the management here: https://youtu.be/aw1NYLLnBLY?si=QSztCHa6gAdStbHC