Following the restart of grassroots football it was the socially distanced away fans, who were celebrating after Sutton Coldfield gained a clinical 3-0 victory on Thursday night. This win moves them within three points of Boldmere and Bilbrook who sit at the top of the Midland Floodlit Youth League.
The teams had already faced each other in pre-season with Sutton Coldfield gaining the win. In their last league games both had gained victories away from home with Walsall Wood dominating Bustleholme to win 7-2 and Sutton Coldfield Town comfortably winning at Gornal Athletic 3-0. This paved the way for an interesting match however the question was whether match fitness would prove to be an issue after no football being played for a month. The constant rainfall also put the match in jeopardy however the groundsman managed to get the pitch playable for this highly anticipated game.
Sutton controlled possession from the get go and were trying to wear down Walsall Wood by passing the ball from side to side, looking to create some kind of opening. Walsall Wood’s keeper was tested on many occasions and he definitely kept his team in the game as they faced constant pressure. After a shaky start Walsall Wood did try to get themselves into the game, making runs down both flanks and delivering tasty balls for their attackers but the Sutton keeper managed to smother any half chances for the home team.
Sutton’s dominance of possession eventually opened up Walsall Wood’s defence on the 30 minute mark. An over the top ball was chased by the Sutton attacker, who squared it to his teammate and he managed to find some space on the edge of the box to place his shot past the Walsall Wood keeper’s near post. It was definitely deserved after a controlled first half from the away team.
The rain was still coming down hard, which added another kind of spice to the second half with both teams still in the game to get the victory. Walsall Wood needed to come out fighting and they did, looking more of a threat on the attack and with more play in the Sutton half. As the game progressed, tensions built and tackles became more aggressive with a lot still on the line. Despite Walsall Wood’s more confident start to the second half, they still didn’t really test the Sutton keeper. This was their downfall as Sutton extended their lead after a quick counter attack from a Walsall Wood set piece. It just looked like it wasn’t going to be Walsall Wood’s night. This was solidified when Sutton sealed the win with another well worked goal after their player squared the ball to his teammate on the edge of the box who smashed it past the Walsall Wood keeper to make it 3-0. No keeper would’ve reached that strike! Despite the horrible weather, the game didn’t disappoint and it was great to see live football once again.
This result leaves Sutton Coldfield Town fourth in the table while Walsall Wood stay seventh after their fourth loss of the season. Walsall Wood’s next game is away against Dudley Town who are a position below them in the table whilst Sutton Coldfield Town host joint league leaders Bilbrook.
Please see the links below to view the game:
First half: https://app.veo.co/matches/20200820-20200820104020-12/
Second half: https://app.veo.co/matches/20200820-20200820114353/
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