In their first away game of the season the Surb faced Dynamo Kingston who they faced in a double header towards the end of the previous campaign – taking home 4 points following a 2-2 draw and a 6-1 victory that included a memorable 5-minute hat-trick for S. Khosravi.

This time out Khosravi ran the line though, due to an injury that was sustained in pre-season. The Surb lined up in their usual 352 formation with a much-changed team owing to injuries and work commitments, most notably at the back with A. Charles slotting in on the left, leaving D. Shortt to deputise in the centre and K. Topson to shuffle into the right wingback position.

The first half began with a series of long balls cut out by both team’s defences despite the narrow and short playing surface. The Surb had early chances as a series of long throw-ins flashed across the Kingston box, but they were ultimately cleared to safety rather than sent into the Kingston net. A warning did come for the Surb as Kingston’s danger man appeared to be their veteran striker who was stringing together some lovely touches to lay off his wingers into space down the Surbiton flanks.

Despite this, Surbiton forced pressure on the Kingston full-backs, with T. Keely drifting wide from his central role to wreak havoc for the Dynamo back 4. This proved fruitful as about 25 minutes into the game Keely got his reward slotting home a cool finish following a mazey run that left a heap of defenders lying in his wake and opening the scoring at 1-0.

Constant changes from Kingston disrupted their rhythm, but it was clear their manager was insistent on scoring an equaliser as early as possible, and they came close with a smart shot to S. Baxter’s left who done well to get down and force it wide.

The Surb continued playing patient football but were unable to double their lead despite captain C. Brown’s best efforts. It was evident that the Surb were at a height disadvantage and this posed problems from set pieces towards the end of the first half, ultimately resulting in an equaliser as a towering header at the back post flew into the top corner of the net.

Surbiton were perhaps justified in feeling hard done by going into the break at 1-1, but they made a slow start to their second half. S. Khosravi got a brief run out before accepting that his injury will keep him sidelined for longer than anticipated and this came as an early blow in the second 45.

Injury woes were compounded by a Kingston goal moments later when a second goal from a set-piece earned them a 2-1 lead in almost identical fashion – a towering header at the back post meant that the virtually unmarked centre half could give the home side the advantage.

Undeterred, the Surb piled the pressure on and after in excess of 15 long throw-ins, including a near own goal that rebounded off of the bar, the technique proved to work. T. Keely attacked the ball at the back post as the ball sailed over the heads of the crowd in the box, leaving him to volley the ball into the net from point-blank range and tie the game once more at 2-2.

The latter stages of the game demonstrated a shift in the approaches of both teams – it was evident that the Surb were there for all 3 points whilst their opponents would have been just as happy taking a point for their efforts. Wave after wave of attack was held off by Kingston as E. Hogan entered the fray up front and N. Hill made his return in a back 4 to try and see the boys in green over the line.

With less than 5 minutes to go, Surbiton got what they deserved. C. Banks collected a blocked shot on the edge of the box and sent the ball rocketing into the top left corner of the net with insidious pace – a clean strike that left the goalkeeper with no chance, re-establishing the lead.

In an almost instant role-reversal, the dying minutes of the game saw Kingston scrap for an equaliser whilst the Surb were tested, but they showed commendable resilience to keep Kingston at bay, thanks in part to the well-timed challenges of S. Bennett.

The Surb could have sealed the game earlier as they looked to be away on the break but the covering defender from Kingston won the ball back and carved out a final chance with seconds to go.

The ball was eventually cleared, despite the Dynamo’s keeper throwing himself at the ball in an effort to force a winner, but the Surb maintained their unbeaten run and perfect start to the season thus far. They currently sit at the top of the table on 6 points.

Next week the Surb take on Alexandra United Athletic at home in an 11:00 KO.

UTS x

Matchday Squad: S. Baxter, S. Bennett, A. Banks, D. Shortt, A. Charles, K. Topson, C. Brown, T. Keely, N. Murphy, M. Brown, C. Banks, E. Hogan, N. Hill, S. Khosravi, G. Kurti.