Last Minute Strike costs Sunninghill all 3...
The home defence was breached after only 5 mins when Ward combined well to release Bennett but the striker delayed his shot and a defender was able to block, the bright start continued and a cross from the left found its way through to Barron who shot straight at the keeper when well placed 6 yards out.
On 25 mins Sunninghill were ahead when Bennett won the ball from the right back and cut back to Ward on the edge of the area, surrounded by Blue shirts Ward showed great skill to go round 3 players and this was met by an equally good finish, lifting the ball high across the keeper with the outside of the right boot.
It could have been 2 minutes later when Barron collected the ball 35 yards out and picked out a superb ball splitting the defence and playing Bennett in on goal but the striker again took too long on the ball and a last ditch challenge blocked his shot.
Keeper Chris Reagan sporting a new John Travolta style haircut was dominant making a good save after a West End forward got behind McDowell, and claimed a number of crosses and corners into the area, taking the pressure off the defence.
Good man marking by McDowell and Harcup at the back meant West End never really had a sniff, whilst Riding and man of the match Jai Zutshi were both in great form defending well and looking to get forward.
Dan Parker had a glorious oppertunity on the stroke of half time when Riding got forward down the left and his cut back found Bennett who was tackled as he went to shoot with the ball bouncing kindly for the Sunninghill captain but he fired straight at the keeper who made a good point blank save.
The second half started in the same fashion and good work by Parker cut the ball back but Underwoods good strike was defelected wide by a defender.
The tiring Forde was replaced by Charlie Harcup who showed some good touches, and after a summer away working on his game has improved greatly showing that he is able to fill in at centre midfield when needed.
New signing Tim Findch replaced Ward and showed a good physical presence up front, linking up well.
West End only really looked like getting a goal from a set piece as they had a lot of height, especially at the back but any free kicks and corners were well defended with Parker and McDowell proving dominant in the air.
As the game entered the last 15 minutes Sunninghill began to tire probably due to the lack of a pre season, and looked to see the game out, with the defence in great form West End never looked like scoring until 2 minutes from time when a snapshot 35 yards out was tiipped onto the underside of the bar by Reagan, with only a West end substitute reacting to nod the easiest of chances over the line from 2 yards.
Overall a good performance against a much improved West End from last season, but the side must be more ruthless in front of goal if anything is to be achieved frcom this season.
Player Ratings
Chris Reagan - Patrolled area well, made couple of good saves and controlled defence. 6.
Jai Zutshi - Excellent performance, Solid defensively and got forward well. 9.
Paul McDowell - Dominated in the air and never let anything get past him, solid enough on return. 6.Booked.
Clinton Harcup - No nonesense defending looked to have secured clean sheet. 6. Booked
Martin Riding - Great defensive displayand his forward runs caused a lot of prolems for opposition. 7.
Dave Barron - Showed some good touches but faded in the second half. 6.
Rob Forde - Battled well outnumbered in midfield until tired in second half. 8.
Dan Parker - Led by example, battled well alongide Forde tried to drive team on. 8.
Toby Underwood - Showed good touches and linked up well with Riding, provided some good crosses. 6.
Jon Bennett - Quiet game, showed good touches but did not take oppertunites when they came. 7.
Mike Ward - Lively game, caused West End all kinds of problems with direct running, took goal superbly. 8.
Subs
Charlie Harcup - Showed good touches, has visibly improved over the summer. 7.
Tim Finch - Bright debut, physical presence up front and looked to link up well. 7.
