Away match versus Old Sutts @ Sutton Grammar Sports Grounds
4 - 4 draw
by (the real) JB
Undefeated in December, Ewell Vets would have gone into this match with a lot of confidence after last week's well deserved win. Except we've never played Old Sutts before, and so had no idea about the quality of the opposition. We've played "new" teams before and sometimes it doesn't end well (some of you may remember our first- and last-ever match against London Japanese that ended 9-0) so we could have been forgiven for being a bit nervous.
Midweek nerves were high when our captain/coin-toss-loser dropped out, along with a host of our regulars (and a couple of irregulars). At one point, it looked like we'd have 12 players max (and most of them are held together with deep heat and duct tape). However, the head of recruitment stepped up again and we welcome Alan back for his second game, and Manny and Dan to make their debuts.
Old Sutts started the game by keeping possession with a series of well timed and balanced passes across the pitch, and it was a good minute or two before we touched the ball. Eyebrows were raised on the bench. But actually, we got into the game shortly after and the first half was a fairly even affair, apart from the scoreline. They went 1-0 up to decent move from Old Sutts - the ball played into their player from right. He had time to look up and put a decent shot away from a central position.
Their second goal came from a corner. With James, Chris, Ben S and Wayne unavailable we were without a lot of our height this week so corners were always going to be tricky. We defended the outswinger from the left, only to concede another corner on the right immediately. This time a lovely left footed inswinger hit the head of the only player in the box to move and jump. 2-0.
I can't really write much about their 3rd goal, except to say that if it had a soundtrack it would be the Benny Hill theme music. We failed to clear, the ball bounced around, cannoned off 2 defender and a goalkeeper and dropped to their striker with an empty net in front of him.
But 3-0 down doesn't really do us justice - there was a lot of battling, some great passing and some good attacking player. We won 2 good free kicks just outside their box (their defenders opting to hack us down rather let us into the box) but couldn't quite convert. Matt R received the ball just outside the opposition box a couple of times and we all held our breath for another screamer, but it didn't come.
I think Steve S got a goal back just before half time, but it might have been just after. If you know - maybe you should write a match report next week.
Half time saw a change in formation and some fresh(ish) substitutes. Alan came on wearing the number 8 shirt (the only available shirt in his size) and lived up to its expectations. At 3-1 there was still belief we could get back into in game - and we played some lovely football. GK passed to defenders, who passed it to the midfield, who then passed back if they were pressured or forward if they weren't. And then we created chances and tried to score. I've seen other teams do this before - and it turns out we can do it to. Amazing.
We changed formation again about 15 minutes into the second half, and now the midfield really started taking control. Kiel distributed the ball from the back, the midfield 3 came to collect the ball and then pushed it out wide or forward. Rich scored a superb tricycle bicycle kick goal - he might have mentioned it in the whatsapp group? A fantastic cross (from Dom I think) saw Stevie G slot home past the keeper. 3-3.
More passing, more attacking, and ultimately a long range effort from Alan looped in the air and bounced just at the keeper, who fumbled it and into the back of the net it fell. 4-3.
It felt like the win was ours, but they are a good side, have a couple of quality players and they didn't give up easily. They had a couple of good chances that they failed to convert (although they almost booted my nuts into the top corner instead), but in the end we gifted the their final goal as they equalised with only a few minutes left.
Great work to come back from 3-0 down, but I think all present probably felt that a draw was generous to them.
Too many strong performances to mention everyone, but special shout outs to Dan for a solid debut, Del who's come back from an extended period out and is getting better every week (almost got a goal this week), Manny for great debut running all over the shop and Kiel for bossing the defence as always.
And now for my personal view - I loved that we tried to play proper football this week. No lumping the ball up at every opportunity, but actual passing, move into space, pass again, go backwards, go sideways, find a teammate, passing football. We can do it. And we're quite good when we do it.
Assuming the opposition weren't too put off by BurstKnee's ranting on the sideline, we'll look forward to playing them again.
Result: 4-4 draw
Starting XI: Phil, Del, Kiel, Dan, Arron, Ben, Matt R, Manny, Steve S, Andy, Rich.
Bench: Stevie G, Dom, JB
Goalscorers: Steve S, Rich, Stevie G, Alan