Norton OBC 4-1 Sutton High

Match Report by Peter Joiceyan in-depth biased, one sided analysis of Norton OBC’s match

Match Rating out of 10: 10.0

NORTON HIT FOUR TO MARK THE END OF AN ERA

OBC signed off from Norton FC in style with a comfortable 4-1 win over Sutton High at Raynes Park. A brace from Matt Belk and excellent solo efforts from Mahf Chowdhury and Marcus Bristow saw the OBC capitalise against a weakened Sutton High side. The margin of victory could have been greater had strikes from Joe Kubik and Dean Barrett not been ruled out by referee Vladimir Ninkovic.

Norton OBC looked to end the season on a high and continue the trend of winning the final game of the season that stretched back to the 2005-06 season. Joicey hoped the form showed against Kerria Knights in the Cup final last week would carry on into the final game of the season and for Norton FC. Mel Kenny continued in goal. Josh Gill picked up an injury in the final and so Andy Cochrane resumed at right back. Tom Simpson, Marc Henderson and Alex Mcgreevy continued across the back. In midfield Nick Lee and Steve Allison were away so Mahf Chowdhury got a deserved start wide right and Ricardo Martins returned to central midfield to be partnered by Joe Kubik with Leroy Donald continued out wide. Up front Matt Belk was partnered by Dean Barrett as Max Pumphrey was away and due to late drop outs of Simon Burbage and Vasile Gavrila, the bench was occupied by young Marcus Bristow.

Norton kicked off in glorious sunshine and put Sutton High onto the back foot. Sutton played the first six or seven minutes with ten men. The opening period of play was a scrappy affair as clearances were scuffed and passes over hit. However Norton scored with their first real chance of the game as Andy Cochrane swung in a deep cross to find Matt Belk ten yards out who’s high and dipping header dropped over the keeper and just under the cross bar. Belk’s 12^th goal of the season with nine minutes gone.

Norton appeared to be incomplete control but Sutton equalised from a rocket from thirty five yards that appeared to be going straight at Mel Kenny but somehow it went through the big keeper’s arms and into the net. Kenny might not be pleased with that one.

Norton however went in search of the second goal once more as the pressure began to mount. Leroy Donald had an effort that went narrowly wide after being played in by Dean Barrett. Marc Henderson powered a Alex McGreevy corner just over the bar and Joe Kubik had an excellent sliding but drilled shot from the edge of the area ruled out for a soft push in the box. In midfield Ricardo Martins and Joe Kubik worked hard in midfield and harried the Sutton players off the ball.

Norton were denied once more by a brilliant double save from the Sutton keeper as first Matt Belk drove low from six yards out and then Dean Barrett followed up with an excellent left foot drive that was tipped over the bar as the keeper showed some excellent reactions.

At the other end Sutton maybe should have took the lead. Alex McGreevy failed to deal with a ball on the left and this allowed the big striker to play in his mate and as he was about to shoot with the goal at his mercy Tom Simpson came across and did enough to put the lad off and the shot went tamely wide.

Norton did get the second as the pressure mounted. Joe Kubik put the ball through for Mahf Chowdhury to escape the offside trap but with Belk lurking on the back post Chowdhury kept his composure and tucked the ball in at the near post. Chowdhury’s 4^th goal of the season.

Mahf then immediately had the opportunity to double his goal tally for the day when Matt Belk played an excellent through ball but Mahf could not control the ball at the vital moment and the keeper made a good save with his feet to keep Sutton in the game. The half ended 2-1 Norton.

At half time Joicey said the only team that could be Norton today was ourselves as they had nothing much to offer and it would only be a slip up from us that could let us back into the match.

The second half got under way and Matt Belk found himself free at the back post but blazed high and wide when the goal was at his mercy. Mahf Chowdhury skipped past a couple of defenders but chose to pass it to Dean Barrett at the near post when Dean could not turn the ball in due to the tight angle but Belky was at the back post who looked the better option.

Sutton were starting to build pressure at the other end and Joicey brought Marcus Bristow on for Ricardo Martins. Leroy Donald moved to centre mid and Marcus went out wide left. The move looked to have backfired when a deep cross from the byline was swung in and Mel Kenny dropped the ball into the net but thankfully the ball had curled out and a goal kick was awarded. Kenny said later “I could not see as it came over the cross bar”.

Norton though were not to be denied and it was Leroy Donald who provided the ball of the game to set Matt Belk away and Matt this time with a difficult finish thumped the ball past the keeper to give Norton a two goal cushion. Matt’s 13^th goal of the season on 62 minutes..... Joe watch out he’s caught you.

Norton continued to work hard as Cochrane, Simpson, Henderson and McGreevy all worked hard to make sure Sutton had no further chances. Donald, Kubik and Chowdhury worked there socks off to deal with the extra man in Sutton’s midfield. Marcus Bristow was a good outlet on the left and linked up well with Dean Barrett and Matt Belk.

Dean Barrett had an excellent solo effort harshly ruled out as he knocked the stocky centre half out of the way and then rounded the keeper but the referee ruled that Dean had pushed the big lad.

Matt Belk played in Joe Kubik on the left with a killer ball and Kubik unleashed a rocket of a drive that was surely going to decide who finished the season top goalscorer but at the last moment it swerved to the left and hit the outside of the post and Joe’s chance to take the goal scorer trophy had gone.

It was not the end of the chances however as Marc Henderson released Marcus Bristow on the half wayline and Bristow skipped past two defenders before slotting the ball cool as you like under the keeper from a tight angle to wrap up the game and the season at the death.

Well done lads a cup win and a promotion to Division 2. It has been a great season, September is not too far away.

Summer football on Clapham Common returns on Saturday 8^th May at 2pm. Club fees for 2010-11 now due - £50. New kit to be ordered in June and new squad numbers to be announced.

Peter Joicey
25^th April 2010