Sunninghill Out In Yet Another Quarter Final...
Sunninghill were today eliminated from the Trevor Wilshaw Inter Divisional Cup at the Quarter final stage for the 4th year running, losing out by a narrow 3-2 scoreline to the multi millionairres of Yately Green.
For once we had a fairly strong side with both Keough and Williams returning to the side, unfortunately the side was missing the first choice centre midfield pairing of Forde and Parker as well as Moutrey so Riding came back into the side alongside McDowell.
And the game started fairly slowly with both sides snuffing each other out, Williams pace and strength up front was causinh Yately problems as the defence could not stop him recieving the ball in dangerous areas, unfortunately he was lacking the support to make his hold up play count, and the closest Sunninghill came was a Bennett shot from the edge of the area from some more hold up play from Williams.
Yately were keeping the ball well but were being snuffed out in the final 3rd, and when they did finally get through Reagan made a superb last ditch tackle to stop the striker going past him, the striker needed some treatment and the eagle eyed Yately manager saw a "stonewall penalty"
The rest of the half petered out without either side really on top, however the second half started a bit brighter as the home side started the stronger as the energy of Riding enabled McDowell to get the ball down and try to build some attacks, and it was from some pressure from the home side they took the lead, pressuring the Yately back line and ball was eventually won 25 yards out and slotted through for Williams to toe poke the ball into the far corner, and the home side started to look comfortable, Yately became frustrated as their team of Multi millionaire superstars began to argue with themselves, and with 20 minutes left when the home side were looking to play the game out Yately got a lucky break when a free kick won after a handball was whipped in and a free header from 5 yards brought the scores level, a very sloppy goal to concede after the way the side had defended.
5 minutes later and the lead was regained when some more great pressure from Willliams chased down a short backpass and the keeper tried to volley the ball clear, the ball only striking his teammate and bouncing back to Williams with an open goal 6 yards out.
Sunninghill should have regained their focus now but less then 60 seconds later the scores were level a ball was clipped between full back and centre back for the right midfielder to cut back in and beat Regan from close range.
Williams had to be withdrawn injured as the side lost their physical presence up front, as Ali Azarian came on as well as Charlie Harcup replacing the ineffective Barron, and wih 5 minutes left as the game seemed to be heading for extra time a Yately corner on the right was met by another free header to make it 3-2.
The home side had one last chance to equalise as a Bennett flick released Charlie Harcup and as he managed to beat the keeper the ball looped just the wrong side of the crossbar, in the dying seconds McDowells well struck volley was well wide and with it went Sunninghill last chance to make it to the next round.
Player Ratings...
Chris Regan - Couple of smart stops but bit wayward with some of his kicking. 6.
Jai Zutshi - Looked comfortable and marshalled his marker well for 90 minutes. 7.
Jon Keough - Dominated in the air and not really troubled from open play. 6.
Toni Flisik - Hassled well didnt give opposition any time or space. 7.
John Gurr - Did all he was asked of, didnt get forward enough. 6.
Dave Barron - Struggled to make an impact on the right before being withdrawn. 5.
Martin Riding - Worked hard and battled well for 90 minutes. 7.
Paul McDowell - Over run at times but dominated in the air. 6.
Toby Underwood - Like Barron struggled to make impact on the game. 6.
Jon Bennett - Struggled to make an impact on Yately defence. 6.
Steve Williams - Physical presence caused problems, and hard work lead to 2 goals. 7.
Subs
Charlie Harcup - Injected pace to front line, to late to make real impact. 6.
Ali Azarian - Little time to make impact. 6.
