by John Mead.
Ian Allinson has described this Bank Holiday weekend as “ tough and exciting” with our visit to Gander Green Lane this coming Monday afternoon following on from a 1-1 draw at home to Bromley.
The U’s are in transition this year, having signed nine players with a wealth of experience close season. Five of those started in their 1-1 draw at Chelmsford City on Saturday. It was a fortunate result for manager Paul Doswell, given that they were forced to play most of the second half without a goalkeeper! Tom Lovelock’s dismissal led to one new face Luke Ruddick, a defender signed from Salisbury City deputising in goal. His first action was picking the ball out of the net after the penalty that followed the sending off. He went on to keep a clean sheet and saw his side grab an equaliser before admitting, “ I had never played in goal before!”
If Lovelock was the villain he was most certainly the hero in Sutton’s 1-0 defeat of Havant and Waterlooville eleven days earlier. His string of saves securing the points. The U’s lost their opener in a narrow 2-1 defeat at Maidenhead United.
Notable new signings are defender Matt Lockwood who joins as a player coach after four seasons with Dundee and Tamworth pair defender Jack Evans and striker Jessy Reindorf. The latter has already netted twice this season and is a full Rwandan International.
One “new” face at Gander Green Lane Wood fans are well acquainted with over the years is Ricky Wellard. He was a regular for Ashford Town (Middlesex) from 2006-2009 before moving up the pyramid signing for AFC Wimbledon, Cambridge United and more recently Salisbury City.
We have managed just one win in the last three seasons against the Surrey side at that came at home. Looking ahead to Monday Gaffer Ian Allinson commented, “ Sutton are always an extremely tough side to beat at home, they are big and strong and have made a few changes since last season. We will need to take the game to them, that is for sure.”
Sutton United v Boreham Wood, Monday August 25th, kick off 3pm.
The Borough Sports Ground, Gander Green Lane, Sutton. SM1 2EY.
