On Saturday, the Sutton United Community Team hosted Solihull Moors Pan Disability Team before the main event at 3pm. However, this was not the first meeting between the two disability teams who last met in back in June en route to the Irish FA George Best Community Cup Final, when Sutton ran out 3-0 winners.
This 11-a-side game kicked-off at 11:30am and was a very entertaining affair. Both teams created goal scoring opportunities but it was Sutton who took the lead following good work from George Beadle, who squared to Shaun Mills who scored from close range.
The U's didn't need to wait that long for Mills to double the lead from an angled shot that beat the Solihull goalkeeper at his near post. It was Solihull who pressed before the break and deservedly got a goal back through the lively Palser, who pounced on a loose ball to put Solihull Moors back into the game.
Sutton led 2-1 at half time.
The second half saw Sutton off to a strong start, with Harry Evans arriving late in the box to extend their lead. Solihull Moors responded well and had a strong period forcing the U's to clear several corners, the defence well marshalled by the impressive Matt Nesta and Bradley Dixon, Matt Ford and Ryan Ford, who held firm.
But Sutton came back strong, and it was Sutton who looked the fitter team going in the final 10 minutes of the game, with Ryan Cheeseman making it 4-1, and right near the end of the game Mills beat the Solihull defence and found the top left corner, thus completing his hat trick.
Final score: Sutton United 5 Solihull Moors 1.
hat-trick hero Shaun Mills
The U's Head of Disability Steve King said “what an enjoyable game this was and despite the scoreline the game was played with great sportsmanship and skill. I would like to thank the National League Trust for making days like this possible and I would also like to thank Becci from Solihull Moors Community who brought their team down. Becci said “We can't thank Sutton United enough for such a warm welcome - we had a great time, our players are still buzzing from the experience, thank you all.“.