As the wind and the rain toppled down over on Priest Hill, Surbiton Town were eager to continue their charge for the title as a grand total of 6 teams from their division competed in home games on adjacent pitches at Nescot college.

The soaking surface made for considerable zip on the ball and whilst the Surb appeared to be the most threatening team, they were still growing into the game in the early stages. The boys in green looked dangerous from set pieces and the small stature of the opposition meant that the likes of A. Sweeney and C. Banks were able to offer a threat from K. Sweeney corner kicks and testing long throw-ins from D. Shortt.

The opener came through R. Geer who rose to hammer home a headed effort at the near post, courtesy of a perfectly weighted K. Sweeney delivery, to end his knack of missing headers from just a few yards out - although he did return to form to miss a chance from 5 yards just minutes later.

Reigate Road did begin to move the ball some more having found themselves 1-0 down just 15 minutes into the game, but they were hassled off the ball and outmuscled for the most part by J. Crawley, A. Charles and C. Brown in the midfield. Their physical dominance resulted in Surbiton regaining possession as frequently as they pleased, and some slick and neat passing found them testing the Reigate goalkeeper once more, forcing a couple of good saves in the process.

The second goal came through C. Banks as he picked up a rebounded shot wide to left of the goalkeeper and at a very tight angle. With little other option inside the box he opted for a shot and leathered the ball in at the near post past the flailing arms of the goalkeeper to set the Surb on their way to another 3 points in the league.

The game continued with more physical dominance from Surbiton, and a frustrated challenge from a Reigate player resulted in an unfortunate casualty for the hosts. As A. Sweeney rushed into the midfield with the ball at his feet and rounded a player, a petulant kick out at him knocked him off balance as he continued his run, and as he approached another Reigate player and rounded him as he had done the previous, the defender stood his ground and was met by the freight-train of A. Sweeney at full throttle. Approaching half-time, and after much deliberation, half-time was called whilst the casualty received treatment, and unbelievably Sweeney was carded for his role in the incident.

The second half developed into a fairly uneventful one, before a rare Reigate chance from a corner gifted them a lifeline in the tie. The ball was half-cleared and the Surbiton defensive line rushed up to implement the offside trap although it was not fully effective as the flag stayed down and a simple poke into the empty net gave Reigate some fresh hope with about 20 minutes still to play.

The boys in green sought to dash any such hopes and responded through an unlikely source to put the game beyond Reigate once more and all but secure another 3 points. S. Bennett cut in from the right flank and was instrumental in working C. Brown into a great position by combining with N. Murphy from the opposite wing, before he saw his close-range effort parried away and bouncing at the feet of Bennett. Brown was able to inform Bennett of the time and space he had been afforded and this allowed him to take his time before sending the ball into the net on the half-volley, cueing wild Surbiton celebrations in a frustrating game. Amidst the elation Bennett went to remove his shirt before thinking better of it and avoiding the £15 fine that would have been imminent otherwise.

With the Surb controlling the game and happy to have secured the win, K. Topson was devastating in the striker’s role and was able to direct a neat overhead-kick towards the back post following another testing long throw-in. His namesake, K. Sweeney was able to capitalise upon the sumptuous opportunity and done just enough to beat his opposite man to the post and make the score 4-1 with minutes left.

Despite the dominance asserted by Surbiton Town for much of the 90, it was by no means their most complete performance and that feeling was compounded when a moment of madness at the back gifted Reigate a late consolation to make it 4-2. A. Sweeney was left isolated and a lack of communication meant that he attempted a Cruyff turn on the edge of his own penalty area whilst being hustled by 2 Reigate attackers who wrestled the ball from him and were able to stab home a 2nd goal despite M. Brown’s efforts. On the restart the game concluded, allowing the game to end with a 4-2 Surbiton win.

UTS x

Matchday Squad: M. Brown, A. Banks, A. Sweeney, D. Shortt, A. Charles, S. Bennett, J. Crawley, K. Sweeney, C. Brown, C. Banks, R. Geer, K. Topson, N. Murphy.