Despite fears of an early morning call-off, the Surb continued their league campaign on a torrential Sunday morning in September. Owing to a multitude of absentees from the squad, the Surb were forced into fielding a side that included 3 debutants alongside a long-awaited return to action for M. Underwood.

With a number of the Surb navigating their way around Finsbury Park rather than the Fortress, a helping hand game in the form of J. Kellett, M. Buxton & J. Molloy who occupied roles in the back 3, midfield and up front, respectively.

Alexandra United were no strangers to the Surb, having faced them in pre-season just last month, with the Surb running out narrow 3-2 victors. Going into the game, the boys in green were aware that they were facing an accomplished side, and one that boasted a host of substitutions, unlike the hosts.

The opening few minutes were best described as open, perhaps owing to the soaking surface and lashing rainfall, but the Surb began to assert dominance with A. Sweeney ruthlessly surging out from the back and allowing M. Buxton to get on the ball centrally.

After about 20 minutes, and following sustained pressure, debutant J. Molloy got the opening goal by shuffling the ball with the outside of his right boot before testing the keeper from 20 yards out. The ball curled in and nestled into the bottom right corner of the net, leaving the goalkeeper to watch on, cemented to the spot.

Further pressure continued as the Surb attempted to force a second, but Alexandra grew into the game and were able to force an equaliser.. Some excellent running out on the right flank drew across a stretched back 3, before a square ball across the box from the by-line enabled an Alexandra shirt to slide the ball into the Surb net despite clipping the outstretched boot of S. Baxter on its way in.

Threats of a second goal for the visitors beckoned as the first 45 drew on, most notably with a free kick drilled round the wall from 20 yards out, but the formidable S. Baxter was able to force it out and keep the game tied.

Surbiton pressure continued and on the stroke of half-time the lead was re-established. A freekick was awarded deep in the Surbiton half and a quick restart enabled J. Molloy to latch onto the end of a floated D. Shortt long ball, deftly bringing it down on his chest into the path of M. Brown who was unfortunate to have his shot saved at point blank range. The save rebounded to Molloy who reacted quickly to leather the ball into the Alexandra net once more. The half was them played out as J. Kellett marshalled the back 3 and ensured that the lead did not slip again before the break.

Surbiton started the second half with plenty of the ball and more intensity than the opposition who were somewhat imperilled by the conditions and Surbiton’s tenacity. Despite an effort to put their ball-winning midfielder in the striker role, Alexandra couldn’t get hold of the ball and following another surging Surbiton attack, J. Molloy completed an early debut hat-trick by coolly slotting the ball into the bottom corner of the Alexandra net, leaving the recovering goalkeeper no chance to produce a save.

With the 3-1 lead came the capitulation of Alexandra who were dominated by the Surb. K. Sweeney enjoyed linking up with M. Underwood who cut in from the left flank and placed a perfectly weighted through ball for M. Brown to secure the win, who unfortunately hit the side-netting.

Minutes later and undeterred, M. Brown raced onto an identical ball and this time made no mistake in slotting the it in at the near post to secure a 4-1 lead.

With 20 minutes to go the game looked over, and despite the walking wounded of M. Brown and M. Buxton, the Surb remained on top – with an array of chances being squandered as well as an exceptional performance in goal from the visiting goalkeeper who was undoubtably the Alexandra MOTM in a fixture that could have finished with twice as many Surbiton goals as it did. Later scans revealed that M. Buxton sustained a fractured wrist following his ambitious bicycle-kick attempt, but his grit was a huge factor in seeing the Surb over the line in an outstanding debut.

The final few minutes saw something of an Alexanda response, with a shot from yards out forcing Baxter to make a save onto his near post, but the defensively disciplined back 3 were marshalled by K. Topson until the final whistle who took up a defensive role screening the defence, as N. Murphy man-marked the dangerous winger out of the game until the final whistle.

Next week the Surb kick off their league cup campaign away to The Willoughby Arms at the YMCA Hawker Centre in Kingston – 10:30 KO.

UTS x

Matchday Squad: S. Baxter, M. Underwood, J. Kellett, A. Sweeney, D. Shortt, K. Topson, N. Murphy, K. Sweeney, M. Buxton, M. Brown, J. Molloy.