Reports 1st

Bishop Sutton 3 – 1 Odd Down Bath (Les Phillips Cup) AET

Tonight’s game was a break from league action for Bishop Sutton as they entertained Odd Down in this Les Phillips Cup Quarter Final. The team was strengthened by the return of Kye Holly, Darren Hawkins and Rob Smart from suspension. The game started at an electric pace but things got off to the worst possible start with Sutton conceding a penalty after only three minutes. Luckily for the home side, Matt Rawlings’ spot kick was blasted high over the crossbar. Both teams worked hard but the game really came to life five minutes before half time. A sweeping move saw Hawkins slip in Pete Sheppard, who blasted home and his shot was parried into the top corner by the Odd Down keeper. However, Sutton’s lead lasted less than two minutes. The hosts failed to clear a corner, leaving Mark Keen to tap in from six yards. The second half was evenly contested with both teams enjoying long spells of possession. The closest either side came to a winner was when an Odd Down cross was missed by three players all waiting in the six yard box. With the teams level after 90 minutes and the game having to be finished on the night, the teams prepared for extra time. Sutton scored the all important second goal one minute into extra time. Sam Bailey showed great initiative and skill to take an early free kick from 30 yards out after seeing the opposition keeper off his line and score off the inside of the crossbar. Sutton’s constant pressure throughout extra time tolled when a Kye Holly knock was headed in by Ashley Farrell, who rose highest. The only disappointment to what was otherwise an excellent performance was the dismissal of club captain, Luke Andrews for two bookable dissent offences. Another 3-1 victory for Sutton and the players and management celebrated in the clubhouse after the game, sporting their newly knitted team hats! It is not yet known who Sutton will face in the semi finals but Sutton surely see this trophy well within their grasp.

Bishop Sutton 3 – 1 Ilfracombe Town

On the back of a four game winning run, Bishop Sutton went into today’s home game with 2nd place Ilfracombe Town looking to continue their great form. But with Kye Holly, Darren Hawkins and top Western League scorer Rob Smart all missing, it felt that this was going to be a very tough match. The game started at a very fast pace which was set by the home side, Sutton looked sharp and closed down the opposition very quickly and completely controlled the ball when they had it which they had for long spells, on 20 minutes, Farmer cut inside on the left and smashed the ball towards the Town goal hard and low and Pete Sheppard got the finest of touches to sneak the ball into the net to give the home side a well deserved lead. Sutton continued to control the game with Farrell and Shallcross working hard and with Sheppard and Payne out on the flanks finding the two Sutton strikers with ease, and Britton and Farmer both going very close. Pete Sheppard scored his second on 40 minutes to send Sutton in at half time with a comfortable 2-0 lead. The second half was even more one sided at times with the Sutton players lining up to score with so many chances and should of taken advantage, Sutton should of scored a hat full. Ilfracombe missed a rare but easy chance when they caught Sutton out on a counter attack midway through the second half. The Sutton defence had little to do but dealt with the Town strikers with ease. Liam Farmer scored Sutton’s third on 60 minutes to put the game out of reach from Ilfracombe who looked frustrated and tired, but they were able to score a consolation goal 5 minutes from the end to deny Sutton a clean sheet and a 5th 3-1 win on the trot. This showed that Sutton has the quality in depth throughout the squad and with three of the U18s team on the bench who all came on late in the game showed their potential. Sutton now Face Odd Down at home on Wednesday night in the quarter final of the Les Phillips cup and with a full squad to pick from, the Sutton supporters will have high expectations.