Men's 1st XI Vs Sutton Coldfield 1

Telford and Wrekin Men’s 1st XI were on the road for the second week running on Saturday as they faced third placed Sutton Coldfield who were five points behind Telford. 

A small injury crisis has hit the squad with hamstring problems everywhere you look. Vince Richardson, Sunny Sahota and Chris Heath all missed out with hamstring issues. Captain Alex Johnson was still struggling with his knees, and Liam Hennessy was touch and go all the way up to push back.

The game was even from the off with both sides having possession and chances to open the score line. However, it was the visitors that looked most likely to score as they pressed by winning short corners. Tom Mallett’s low effort was saved on the goal line by a Sutton defender, but Dave Tracey was on hand to put in the rebound. 

Sutton replied well and scored two goals in quick succession to give themselves a 2-1 lead going into half time. 

The second half was a frantic affair and Telford could not create the chances that they wanted in the first 15 minutes of the half and found themselves 3-1 down going into the last 10 minutes of the game. 

Liam Hennessy got Telford back into the game with a superb diving effort which found the bottom corner. Telford were on top until the final whistle in their bid to find an equaliser. Sean Huffer had a chance for himself, but the keeper saved well. A sublime passing move down the right-hand side found Huffer 1v1, instead of shooting himself he slotted past the keeper for Dave Tracey to get his second of the game. 

Telford pressed for a winner but the game lost all momentum in the final minutes as both sides lost players to the sin bin. 

A closely fought battle saw the sides share the points in a game which could have gone either way. 

Sutton are still 5 points behind Telford in second who face Streetly at home next Saturday.