This cup game paired us against Sutton’s Tandridge Division A side and was a lot closer than the score line suggests with the main difference being that Sutton converted their chances where as we did not.

Carshalton started the game very brightly and were soon in front after some great individual skill from Harry releasing the ball behind their left back for Liam to run onto and convert. Both sides were playing some simple football but without really troubling either defence. Sutton drew level when an unintended high ball into our goal area left Josh at full stretch but unfortunately unable to hold onto the high ball which their forward poked home before Josh could get both hands back onto the ball. Five minutes later Sutton went in front from a low cross from our right side, which took an unfortunate deflection off   Jack T’s  knee and into the net.  This goal gave Sutton a lift as they came more into the game. The boys carried on playing football with good passing and movement, but were not supporting the front or wide players enough when we were in possession and Sutton were able to regain the ball. We managed to carve out openings that today were finished with shots straight at the keeper that on other days would have been converted. Sutton extended their lead with the ref baffling everyone by awarding Sutton a penalty which he informed me was for pulling back their forward which no one else seamed to have noticed as there was no appeals from Sutton's supporters for a penalty.

The boys struggled to find any momentum in the new half as we found it hard to keep possession of the ball with no support play, with Sutton able to return the ball back into their attacking area . The boys head started dropping as more decisions started going Sutton’s way and free kicks not given. Mid way through the half Sutton increased their lead when we failed to clear their attack first time with the ball finally falling at the feet of their unmarked forward who finished off leaving Josh with no chance. Sutton’s final goal arrived with a few minutes left from a shot that Josh was unable to hold onto. Prior to this we had a period of attacks but unable to gain any outcome from.

I know it was hard as decisions went against us but we need to learn to keep going and battle that much harder as I had said earlier the difference between us was not four goals. Overall they deserved to go through but it was only when our heads dropped in the second half that they started to control the game, up to then we were as good as them.

Terry Vinson