Sutton CC XI: 7 (D Mercer 4, D Edwards 2, N Clark 1) St. Mary’s Vets: 2
TEAM: C Moore (G K) A Metz; S Woods; P Whigtman; D Edwards - 2 goals; S Champ; M Lewis; P Eldridge; N Clark- 1 goal; S Seadon (Capt.,) D Mercer - 4 goals; A Alabaster; S Doyle; R Goodwin; D Lewis.
MATCH PROGRAMME HERE.
SCC 2007 PAIRS OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Winners- S Doyle & A Metz
R/U- A Alabaster & C Moore
SUTTON CRICKET BOYS HIT MAGNIFICIENT SEVEN IN CHARITY FOOTBALL MATCH
The cricketers of Sutton CC came out of their cricketing tortoise shell just for one day last Sunday and put on a real show in a local Charity fun day at Cheam Road.
An otherwise normal, drab boring cricketer’s winter Sunday was transformed into a real action packed day at Sutton CC last Sunday, with a charity football match and pool competition!
On a crisp sunny winter afternoon our cricket guys took up a football challenge against St. Mary’s FC Vets XI at Cheam Road and gave them one hell of a game!
In aid of a local charity, a mixed Sutton CC XI with their different shapes and sizes changed from their summer clothing of traditional white flannels into an all red football kit (the old Liverpool style) and looked to deliver on the football field in front of a good crowd of mums, dads, wives, girlfriends, and old mates!
The strong 15 man squad featured: Chris Moore (a la Peter Schmeichel) with his new gloves and shin pads or cricket pads (not sure!) as goalie, Spencer Champ pumped up as ever in defence, Andy “Crazy Frog” Alabaster at right back (Gary Neville style), Steve Doyle (a la David Batty style of play!). Then the classy bunch of David Mercer, Paul Wightman (call me Bob), Aaron Metz and David Lewis. The old characters were present of course, myself and Matt Lewis (bit like the old back line of the famous Chelsea) to prop the team up alongside our shrewd captain Sam “Seadog” Seadon and our sturdy live wire vice-captain Nick Clark (should be good in the field next year). The colts, as ever, were on standby and eager to battle away with us in our new winter adventure!
The first-half was bit of cat and mouse, but Sutton were wearing the claws with Doyley winning the crunching 50/50 tackles and Nick Clark posing a threat with his darting mazy runs from centre midfield. Sutton, growing all the time in confidence, began to thread some good moves together up front and eventually took the lead on 23 minutes. Paul Liddiard, (between the sticks for the opposition), was unable to make a double save and Mercer neatly slotted the ball wide of our friend. It was the beginning of a small barrage towards the Saint Mary’s goal and continued with further efforts from Lewis, Clark and Metz. The visitors finally succumbed to the pressure and in the final 10 minutes Sutton scored four more goals. Mercer cleaned up adding three extremely well taken goals as he completed his hat-trick in fine style and Clark scored a fine individual goal as the Saint Mary’s defence crashed to pieces.
Sutton rotated the side at the beginning of the second-half and continued to do so throughout the remainder of the match, with each player showing all their skills (including me). Saint Mary’s though began to take control in the early stages of the second-half and peppered the Sutton goal, but Moore (so eager to keep a clean sheet) kept out some shots with some good blocks and saves. He was harshly adjudged to have fouled a Saints player from a corner on 63 minutes and Lee scored from the penalty spot. Sutton, stretched at the back, held out well with Champ marshalling his defence well.
The home side looked dangerous at times going forward, but lost their killer instinct in front of goal. Saints added another goal 23 minutes from time when Said slid the ball home after a good build up play from his team.
The match though was settled beyond doubt minutes later when the young Dan Edwards sprinted forward from a counter attack and cracked home a fine goal and then slotted Sutton’s seventh and the final goal of the match moments later. Both sides looked extremely shattered at the sound of the ref’s final whistle, but everyone was soon re-vitalised at the prospect of Sutton pool competition in the bar!
The pool competition was won by Steve Doyle and Aaron Metz, who beat Andy Alabaster and Chris Moore in the doubles final.
A good day all-round and I think everyone is looking forward to another match with Saint Marys. It should be good fun again, especially now we’re bit fitter and wiser! (NOT!!!)
Paul Eldridge
