Full Time Score: 
Sutton 6 RAINFORD 1 (Clarke)

Report by Pierre Botcherby

Rainford College travelled to Sutton on 16th March looking to avenge their 6-4 defeat to Cowley in November. However, the task was made harder by the withdrawal of key players and the fact that their opponents appeared to field a teacher amongst their Sixth Formers.

Sutton took the lead very early on from a Rainford throw-in. Centre half Jack Hesketh, one of those brought in to cover absent players, misread the flight of the ball allowing the Sutton striker to race clear and score. Two more Sutton goals arrived before the break – the third leaving ‘keeper Pierre Botcherby flat-footed – as Rainford had to withstand heavy pressure.

Despite this, Rainford showed promise in attack. Emmanuel Agbozo flashed a shot wide from distance and a low cross was left begging for a final touch as Rainford looked to pull a goal back.

The second half saw a continuation of the one way traffic but Rainford handled the pressure much better – most notably Tom Philbin who made a number of quality defensive blocks in addition to good passing. The goals still came though – including one for the dubiously fielded teacher – but the final total of six goals flattered Sutton. Meanwhile, Rainford did get on the score sheet – Rick Clarke getting on the end of a Chris Marsden cross – which was just reward for their attacking enterprise.

Overall, Sutton deserved to win as they took their chances and kept Rainford in their own half for long periods. However, a severely weakened Rainford team did well to keep going amidst all the pressure. Well done to the lads involved.

Player Ratings

Jack Hesketh – 5 – at fault for first goal, recovered well
Simon McDonald – 5.5 – fairly quiet, missed second half chance
Pierre Botcherby – 5/10 – good saves, at fault for 3rd goal
Emmanuel Agbozo – 6 – good going forward, wandered in second half
Rick Clarke – 7 – got a goal
Chris Marsden – 6.5 – got an assist, troubled by skilled winger
Chris Neil – 6 – solid in defence, but missed a header and wandered late on
Tom Philbin – 7.5 – excellent in defence, good passing and shooting
Ian Delaney – 6 – not as adventurous as he would have liked and more solid as game went on
Jordan Benyon – 5.5 – kept quiet by a good defence
Dom Ellis – 6 – strong and bullish in tackle but poor on the ball
Tom Sansbury – 6 – kept busy but error free
Ben Patey – 5.5 – also kept quiet by the defence