The Surb faced opponents Berrylands United who have recently moved from Division 2 to Division 3 following a challenging 2017/18 campaign. Despite being seated 4 Divisions above the Surb, this was never going to be an easy contest for either team.

For the second season in a row, the Surb faced Berrylands in pre-season, with last year’s fixture acting as the first game of Surbiton Town’s history so far – ending in a 4-2 victory thanks to a ferocious start. In the absence of Manager Enright, this fixture marked the managerial debut of K. Russell in a player-manager role. This year’s contest started less rapidly but with a similar level of dominance as the boys in green kept hold of the ball and played short sharp passes despite the soaking surface. From the offset, L. Snowdon looked a real outlet down the right flank and was offering neat passing triangles to link-up with Charlie Banks as the Surbiton defensive line sat high.

Early balls over the top from Berrylands were met with little hassle and cleared by a back 3 of A. Banks, F. Khan and D. Shortt. After another few minutes of pressure, the Surb got their goal following a cross flashed across the box was confidently slotted home by C. Banks who has enjoyed a prolific pre-season up front.

Berrylands grew into the game and nearing the half-hour mark a deflected through-ball found it’s way to a Berrylands forward with Shortt being left flat-footed in the Berrylands move. Snowdon rushed across and was able to intervene, clearing the ball out for a corner, although an oncoming Kieran Sweeney, once again deputising in goal, was deemed to have caught the striker as he rushed off his line – although the ball appeared to have run out of play, the referee awarded a penalty to Berrylands. Despite guessing the right way, the sheer velocity of the kick made it impossible for Sweeney to make amends, making the scoreline 1-1.

Unfaltered, Surbiton continued to play impressive football and opted to move the ball around the opposition. Eventually, catching Berrylands sleeping at the back, Bennett, who had crunched into tackles all afternoon delivered a beautifully weighted ball down the right side of the pitch for Banks. Taking the ball in his stride and spotting the Berrylands goalkeeper off his line, he dispatched the ball over his head and watched his deft-touch re-establish the Surb lead.

Almost immediately Berrylands mounted an attack with a new winger entering the fray, playing a quick one-two with a team mate before rounding Sweeney in goal and slotting into what he thought was an empty net. Fortunately, Shortt had kept his run going and found himself on the line to clear the effort out of play – making amends for his hesitation that led to Berrylands opener.

The Surb continued to dominate and on the stroke of half time with the game looking to be hanging in the balance, Bennett played the ball through to Chris Brown who had been a presence himself in commanding the Surbiton midfield alongside club captain Joe Crawley, took a strike with his weaker left foot from 30 yards out. Caught with good conviction and fizzing off of the wet surface, Brown’s effort slipped under the keeper and allowed Surbiton to head into the break with a comfortable 3-1 lead.

Perhaps contrary to tradition, the 2nd half was less eventful than the 1st despite a series of changes for both teams. Geer moved into attack and provided an outlet with pace and power, with Crawley passing the armband onto Brown in the middle of the field, allowing Sweeney to ove centrally and Murphy to finish the game in goal.

Surbiton remained staunch at the back and commanded by Khan were able to shut out Berrylands with a series of 50/50 tackles seeming to always go in Surbiton’s favour. The wet August conditions meant for a miserable second half and contributed to the increasing fatigue of both teams, but Surbiton dominated the ball and forced Berrylands to tire further. Aaron Charles re-entered the fray with 20 minutes to go and slotted into a back three rather than up-front and demonstrated the strength of depth the Surb have across the park – with his surging runs out from the back coming as respite for the tiring midfield trio.

With a brisk look at his watch, the ref called an end to proceedings. A good day sees the Surb continue their trend of going unbeaten and scoring 3 goals in each of their games so far, with hopefully more to come in their final test next Sunday – a 1:00 KO at home to Surbiton Dynamos.

UTS x

Squad: K. Sweeney, N. Murphy, A. Banks, F. Khan, D. Shortt, L. Snowdon (MOTM), C. Brown, J. Crawley, S. Bennett, A. Charles, C. Banks, K. Russell, R. Geer, S. Charles.