On an oppressively hot early-September morning, the Surb ran out 4-1 victors in their final test before the season begins. The early stages of the game were overwhelmingly neutral – with both teams offering attacks, although the boys in green were playing less positive football than in previous weeks and forcing long balls up field.

The Dynamos looked threatening from set pieces with their formidable attack, but despite their midfield being comfortable on the ball, they lacked mobility as the 3-man midfield of C. Brown, J. Crawley and T. Keely dominated in central areas.

An early muscular injury to A. Banks meant that A. Sweeney made an earlier appearance than expected alongside F. Khan in central defence, leaving D. Shortt to play longer than intended having passed a late fitness test.

A breakthrough came as one of that formidable trio, the young T. Keely floated a deep cross into the open penalty area of the Dynamos defence, leaving the onrushing C. Banks to score an impressive looping header that continued his pre-season purple patch in front of goal. More chances soon followed as J. Crawley spearheaded the team and repeatedly won the ball back in the middle of the park.

A host of changes followed with the Surb maintaining a 1-0 score line going into the break, with the deputising N. Murphy proved a reliable option between the sticks and staying put for the second half. Another goal followed, this time from diminutive midfield workhorse C. Brown who once again popped up with an important goal from central midfield.

As the game wore on, both teams tired and the sheer number of fresh legs worked in favour of the Town who were able to keep alternating their XI. Subsequently the game increasingly escaped the Dynamos who were tiring and running out of steam from the high-press they appeared to utilise.

A blow did come for the Surb as J. Crawley, who commanded the midfield with aggression throughout, twisted his lower back going into a challenge – a later scan would reveal an unfortunately extended period on the side-lines for the Surb skipper.

Undeterred, the Surb pressed on and N. Murphy stepped onto the pitch for R. Geer who had an excellent game moving the ball up front before falling into midfield. With few substitutes left, Murphy re-entered the fray in midfield and Shortt performed his duties as 6^th choice goalkeeper in the Surb set-up.

Murphy was quick into the action and rattled home perhaps the goal of the season so far, smashing a first-time ball into the top right of the Dynamos net from 25 yards with insidious pace before a rare Dynamos break forced a penalty which was coolly dispatched into the net with Shortt guessing the wrong way despite the gesticulations of his team-mates.

Dynamos offered a series of comfortably collected long-shots before a neat close-range shot found it’s way towards the Town net, but it was fortunately soft enough for Shortt to get down low and force out of play.

With the final whistle approaching, E. Hogan slotted home a neat low-cross from close-range and concluded not only his personal goal drought, but the game and the undefeated pre-season of the 2018/19 campaign.

Watch the Surb in their first league game of the season next Sunday 9^th September – an 11:00 Home KO against Claygate Casuals.

UTS x

Matchday Squad: D. Shortt, A. Sweeney, C. Banks, C. Brown, G. Kurti, K. Russell, J. Crawley, L. Snowdon, N. Murphy, R. Geer, T. Keely, G. Kurti, A. Banks, F. Khan.

Scorers

Charlie Banks  

Chris Brown  

Niall Murphy  

Elroy Hogan