Another late equaliser denies a poor Sunninghill all 3...
Sunninghill came into this game on the back of a confident 3-0 win over Frimley Town, but managed to put in probably the worst performance the side has produced since Clinton Harcup took over as manager.
A weakened side through numerous injuries and unavailabilities meant there was a selection problem for Harcup, where Charlie Harcup made his first start of the season as full back, but managed to pull a hamstring within a minute of the kick off, and had to be replaced. Jai Zutshi covered left back whilst Martin Riding moved inside to centre half.
Steve Williams made his debut up front partnering Bennett and looked a real handful for the Yately back line, whilst Ben Moutrey partnered captain Dan Parker in midfield, Mike ward returned after a 2 week break to the right whilst Underwood started on the left.
The game started pretty scrappy which was unusual as the side had started well in the previous 2 games, with players all over the park looking a bit flat footed and slow off the mark, Williams was holding the ball up well with Bennett trying to feed off him, whilst the re shuffled defence was coping with the front line that put 8 past Blackwater without any real concern.
Although the scrappy start Sunninghill were looking to get forward more with Mike Ward making some dangerous runs from the right, but with some last ditch tackles and poor final passing couldnt quite find a way through.
That was until the 22nd minute when a ball from Zutshi on the left was flicked inside by Ward to Williams, with his back to goal the forward turned with the ball and sent a superb dipping volley into the top right hand corner leaving the keeper absolutely no chance what so ever, a definate contender for goal of the season.
Within 5 minutes it should have been 2-0 when a great ball from Ward released Bennett, the forward was then upended by the keeper for a definate penalty, Bennett dusted himself down for the spot kick and blazed the ball over the bar, a real let off for Yately and what turned out to be a costly miss.
Yately then had a real chance to get on level terms when a ball down the middle caught out Clinton Harcup with the striker clean through on goal, but Reagan who has been in excellent form this season came out to save well with his body to keep the score at 1-0.
The second half was played in the same fashion with Yately trying to push on more, the Sunninghill back line held firm and the side looked to play on the break, where they had enough chances to seal the game, Bennett with a couple of weak efforts when well placed, and a great Williams cross across the 6 yard box which his strike partner just failed to reach.
Parker was released through the middle by Bennett, and his excellent first touch left him 1 on 1 but dragged his shot wide of the far post, and with only 5 minutes remaining fullback Zutshi overlapped Ward on the right racing onto a superb through ball, and with just the keeper to beat but with the angle against him opted to try the lob which the keeper just got fingers to, diverting the ball wide.
Williams who was struggling with a knee injury was replaced by Azarian with 20 minutes remaining as by now with just the one goal defecit Yately were by no means out of the game, and started to push on for the equaliser, with the defence still looking comfortable a diagonal ball bounced through the defensive line finding the unmarked forward on the left, who took a touch before placing the ball past Reagan into the far corner to make it 1-1.
There was one final chance as a corner was won on the left but Wards good delivery was mis judged by McDowell and as the ball rolled out referee Ernesto Santos, who had a good game blew for full time.
Player Ratings
Chris Reagan - Good save in first half was dominant from crossing and could do nothing about goal. 8
Charlie Harcup - Unfortunate hamstring injury was replaced early on. 6
Clinton Harcup - Solid enough dealt with Yately forward line, caught out with one ball in first half. 7
Martin Riding - Carried on early season form, dominant in the air and on the deck, looked to play from the back. 8
Jai Zutshi - Another good performance, looked to get forward and dealt with any threat Yately wingers produced. 8
Mike Ward - Some dangerous runs, had to perform more defensive role in second half, lost marker for goal. 7
Dan Parker - Solid in the air and in the tackle as usual, not his best performance as Yately midfield took over in second half. 7
Ben Moutrey - Did well covering in front of defence, looked to play in a scrappy game. 7
Toby Underwood - Solid defensively, not best performance going forward but still tried to link with forwards 7
Steve Williams - Good display, physical presence caused problems and marked display with super goal. 8
Jon Bennett - Lethargic display never got going, costly penalty miss and seemed off the pace today. 5
Subs
Ali Azarian - late display showed some good touches and tried to link up with Bennett. 7
Paul McDowell - late display came on to shore up defence and nearly worked. 7
