Hills went into the game on the back of a two week layoff against an ever improving Sutton team that was a shadow of the side humbled by the reds in a pre-season friendly. Hills were forced into two changes; with Duncan Steele and Sean Kildunne missing it meant that Will Lockyer made his first start at right back, with Matt Jennings moving to left back and Tom McCann coming into midfield.
Hills started the game shooting into the Kop end and were understandably a bit sluggish after a two week break. Despite not being at their fluent best, Hills looked the stronger side and tried to play their flowing football. With Hall dominating the midfield battle and Duncan solid at the back, the Hills backline was rarely threatened in the first half. Debutant McCann looked comfortable in midfield and was working hard with Hall and man of the match Matthews in dictating the pace of the game. Despite this, the first half ended goalless and Manager Harrisons teamtalk was an intense one and clearly worked in firing up the men in red.
Shooting uphill in the second half, Hills looked to make early inroads and the direct running of Luke Wilson, who caused the opposition defence problems throughout, became more of a threat and was being afforded more room by the tiring back line.
The deadlock was broken midway through the second half, with a period of Hills pressure forcing a corner, which the tireless L Wilson whipped in for Peacock to power home unmarked from 6 yards out. Sutton responded by piling on the pressure but Daniels and Duncan (who was unlucky to not be MOM) dealt with everything thrown at them. When they did get through, Sutton found keeper Smith in fine form, making two top double saves in quick succession to ensure a clean sheet.
After yet more pressure, Hills won another corner and substitute Scott Wilson rose to power home another of Luke Wilsons corners and broke the resolve of the away team and Hills saw out the rest of the game comfortably. Robert Matthews was MOM but Todd Duncan and Curtis Hall were candidates and Matt Jennings played superbly in an unfamiliar left back role.
S Smith; W Lockyer (R Osadzenko), T Duncan, L Daniels, M Jennings; C Hall, R Matthews, T McCann; O Stephenson (S Wilson), H Peacock (capt), L Wilson – Sub Not Used: B Skelton
Good effort guys, good match report Sam keep it up!