Sutton United Juniors U12 3 vs 1 Sporting FC Athletic

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">Two goals from Zain Thomas and a stunning strike by Regan saw Sutton United progress to the 2nd round of the Open cup with a hard fought 3-1 win against good Sporting Athletic side.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">Sutton started with the same 11 that won last week, but it was the visitors that broke the deadlock with a well finished goal after 20minutes. While Sutton were playing some good football the lead was well deserved as Sporting were first to every ball and competing better than Sutton.&nbsp; While Sutton had a few efforts on goal none of them worried the Sporting keeper and they took a well deserved lead into the half time break.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">Sutton started the second half well but were unable to get a footing in the game.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">With a change required Dan Murrain was sent on and United started to hold the ball better and apply some concerted pressure.&nbsp; However, it wasn&rsquo;t until a change of formation with Josh, Dan and Zain playing up front in a 3-4-3 formation and Harry moving into the centre of midfield Sutton started to create some real chances.&nbsp;

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">Within minutes Sutton equalised when Zain brought the teams level with the simplest of finishes after a nice flick on from Dan at the near post.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">With Harry and Carl working well in the centre and Ross making some great runs down the right it wasn&rsquo;t long until a second goal came when super sub Regan pounced on a poor clearance to rifle the ball into the net from 10 yards out.&nbsp;

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">With confidence growing Sutton were in full control and all the lads were playing some good football.&nbsp; With a move back to a 4-4-2 formation with Oscar joining the action on the right of defence, it wasn&rsquo;t long Sutton sealed the game when Zain again pounced on a blocked shot from Miles to score from close range.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">Good 2nd Half performance from the lads but full credit to Sporting who made it a hard game.&nbsp; League Shield next week.

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