MATCH REPORT: Season opener ends in a draw

A late goal from debutant Alex Ford earned Sutton a point away at St Patricks.

The 24/25 season kicked off with an away trip to St Patricks, who came out 4-0 winners when we travelled to them in the cup last year. A much changed squad over the summer hoped to change the outcome now that they were in the same division.

Horvath started between the sticks, with two debutants in front at centre half. Toby Preston & Ajay Ford forming the partnership. More familiar faces at full back with Jack Crosland starting on the right and vice-captain Ollie Smith on the left.

A midfield three of new signing Alex Ford, Finley Jones and the Gaffer Tormey. The three interchangeable forward players were James Dann, Luke Robinson and new boy Harry Eversfield.

The game started as expected, a physical battle on a tough pitch, but few chances coming either way. Spells of the usual triangles did cause St Patricks issues especially when the boys got the ball out wide early, but nothing came of the chances.

On the 30 minute mark, a sliding challenge outside the box by Ajay resulted in a fitting tribute to the ongoing Olympics - a leap and spin into the box that Tom Daley would have been proud of. Whilst definitely a foul, it was clearly outside the box. The referee still stunned by the leap, gave a penalty to the home side.

As we all know by now, Horvath is a penalty save master, and as expected stepped up to palm the ball back into the 6 yard box. Unfortunately the opposition were quickest off the mark and finished the rebound into the back of the net.

Half time came with the score still at 1-0 and the boys knew there was more to come from our group. A dominant display of quick possession and counter attacks gave the lads a procession of corners, unfortunately they weren’t quite up to scratch with the delivery.

With two minutes left on the clock, the ball was played out to Tormey on the left hand side. He whipped an inwards ball to the edge of the 6 yard box where Alex Ford rose like a salmon on his debut to power home the header and give Sutton a deserved equaliser.

The last two minutes of the game came and went and the points were shared. A stark contrast to the visit last year and with 10+ players still to come back from injury & holiday, a very good sign for the coming season.

Next up for Sutton is a home tie on Wednesday against new team Loughbough Students Reserves, whose first team play at step 4.