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Tuesday 24th July 2007
Friendly
Whyteleafe 0 (0) - Sutton United 3 (1)
After the frustration of Saturday's postponement at Dulwich, Sutton's pre-season programme was back on track on Tuesday as they comfortably beat Whyteleafe at Church Road. Having not been able to see them in acion on Satuday, manager Ian Hazel included former Yeading midfielder Nick Greene and striker Stephen Opoka, a member of Colchester's youth team last season, in his starting line-up and both showed neat touches, Opoka and Bradley Garness supported by Craig Watkins and Warren McBean in giving U's a pacy look up front. McBean hit the post early on, but Whyteleafe also troubled a U's back line in which John Scarborough and Scott Fitzgerald were paired in the middle, and it took a good save from Phil Wilson in a goalmouth scramble to keep the home side out. Garness missed one good chance, shooting at the home keeper's legs after being put through, but five minutes before half time he made amends by volleying in from twelve yards after Opoka had hooked a half cleared free kick across the penalty area. Wilson made another fine save from a volley to deny Whyteleafe an immediate and spectacular equaliser, but U's, who had made four substitutions by the hour mark dominated the second half and with McBean and Watkins now the front two the home defence was kept at full stretch. McBean headed the second goal from close range after Watkins' persistence on the right had enabled him to get in a cross at the second attempt, and eight minutes later the roles were reversed as McBean broke free on the left and rolled the ball back for Watkins to hammer in a low shot. The one worry on an otherwise encouraging night ws a late injury to Alan Bray, who we helped off with a leg injury after a rash tackle which saw a Whyteleafe substitute shown a red card by referee John O'Brien.
Craig Watkins passes the ball.
(Picture kindly supplied by www.from-the-lane.co.uk)
Asher Hudson looks to bring the ball out of the defence.
(Picture kindly supplied by www.from-the-lane.co.uk)
Stephen Opoka loses out in the air.
(Picture kindly supplied by www.from-the-lane.co.uk)
Nick Greene sends the ball forward.
(Picture kindly supplied by www.from-the-lane.co.uk)
Warren McBean runs at the Whyteleafe defence.
(Picture kindly supplied by www.from-the-lane.co.uk)
A 'Leafe defender gets to grips with Opoka.
(Picture kindly supplied by www.from-the-lane.co.uk)
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