Sutton 2s v Leek 2s: 3-6

It was fairly tempting not to write this report and pretend the game didn't happen after the disappointing scoreline but then I remembered this could be one of our players only chances to feature in a writeup as a goalscorer this season so here we are!

Last week's questions:
Warwick castle is 45m tall.
Sutton scored 37 and conceded 26 so a net positive of 11 goals on Saturday 9th December.

This week's:
1) Which former 5 time world professional darts champion is associated with Leek?
2) Leek may or may not feature as a vegetable in your Xmas day meal, but how many roast potatoes are expected to be eaten across Britain on the 25th December? (It's the same number as Sprouts apparently!)

With a scarce 12 available for the "short" trip up to Leek (for the second time in as many months) there was always a slither of a chance the pitch could be affected by the weather again but sadly in hindsight the game went ahead.

With a blinding sun for Sutton to look into in the first half, it was the youthful and well drilled Leek side that started brightest and established a 3-0 lead inside the first 20 minutes. The away side did manage a goal just before the break to reduce the deficit to 3-1 with stealth ninja skipper Moss somehow making a guest appearance in the attacking D and showing everyone how to do it by being in the right place at the right time after good baseline build up play by FJ and Will H. Perhaps most surprising is that he didn't fall over in his shiny new XL shoes at any point during the goal or celebration.

3-1 at half time meant M2s were still within reach and the fact Leek were going to be having to look into the sun in the 2nd half meant there was still cause for optimism. It probably took only 15 minutes to destroy that optimism. Leek made use of their full bench and continued to be the better side and extended their lead with another 3 in the second half. Sutton did score 2 through a clinical Archie C PC flick and Ryan B calmly lifting a slap over the keeper but M2 were soundly beaten and 2nd best on the day.

A Sutton defender trying to clear a ball and hitting a teammate in the back who had fallen over 5 metres away was probably a good summation of the day from a defensive point of view. Ryan secured MOTM - perhaps these repeat offenders of playing too well and getting MOTM awards will need to ask Santa for sweets this Xmas to save their pennies (or just pass the ball at CB straight to their forward to score, that keeps me successfully out the votes!)

The first game back in the new year is a tough but enticing fixture against Wolverhampton and Tettenhall 1s who sit 2nd in the league. Saturday 6th January at 1pm at Wyndley.