Cheddar came out of this tight under 18s cup game with huge credit and no little luck, having taken unbeaten Sutton, from a division higher, literally all the way only to lose the game, whilst down to 10 men in injury time.

Before the game the Cheddar lads were a little uncertain how they would fare against a premier Division side that were not only unbeaten but also a year older, physically bigger and more experienced than themselves. Tim Richens reminded his own team that they were also a very good side that were more than capable of matching their opponents in every part of the game.

Cheddar took their manager literally on his word and within 5 minutes had gone a goal ahead through Ollie Sealey. Sealey and man of the match Simon Mounsden were giving the Sutton defenders all sorts of problems with their well-timed runs in behind the defence. This was only made possible though through the prompting of skipper Rob Edwards who was the star presence on both sides in the middle of the pitch. There was some competition in this area as Ryan Cullen was having another stormer and Milo Maclay and Pat day on the flanks were full of energy and intelligence running.

Cheddar were definitely on top but anytime the Sutton team attacked they came up against a brick wall of a defence where Matt Teagle and Dan Hobbs were pacy and tackling like men possessed, whilst the reliable John Tee Boon was at his very best. The star of the defence though was Lewis Matthews, playing the role of sweeper like a long time defender who mixed aggression skill and pace with superb reading of the game. He was starting attacks, putting his boot through the ball when required and generally keeping Cheddar’s efficient, but under stretched keeper, Seb Smith, from being as busy as he, and the team, had perhaps expected.

Two more good chances fell to Sealey but unusually he was unable to finish them and the Sutton keeper made a superb save from a thunderbolt by Lewis Matthews, with his right foot!! As is often the way though Cheddar were punished for these missed chances when from a rare attack, the Sutton right winger showed blistering pace to run at the Cheddar defence who made the mistake of standing off slightly, so that the forward scored a superb goal that left Smith no chance.

Cheddar came in very satisfied at the break but aware that a Sutton onslaught would be expected. This never came though as Cheddar continued to work tirelessly and again match everything that the visitors could throw at them. The next good chance of the game came when the ball found Sealey near goal but he forced a superb save from the keeper, this was Sealey’s last contribution as Tim Richens, aware that he we selected for the first team on Saturday, took him off as a precautionary measure to protect the young striker’s groin.
Liam Young replaced him and let no one down with good running, Pat Day moved into the middle and the impressive Mounsden moved up front.

Somewhat against the run of play it was Bishop Sutton who then took the lead when a penalty was awarded to the surprise of the home team after the Sutton midfield player went on a storming run and again Cheddar let him run at them, possibly aware that the player looked in his 30s and bigger and stronger than them!! The referee adjudged him to have been tripped though he did not go down and the penalty was duly despatched, again giving Smith no chance.

Cheddar’s youngsters then showed their immense character by coming back at Sutton, with Edwards at the heart of everything they did. It was Edwards who then combined with Mounsden to earn Cheddar a penalty of their own, playing, as they had all evening, the ball crisply on the floor and around the struggling defenders. Lewis Matthews stepped up and hammered the ball home giving the keeper no chance.

Cheddar were then reduced to 10 men when Dan Hobbs got severe cramp and could not continue, so Cheddar were pegged back but looked like holding on for extra time (something Tim Richens was dreading with games for most of the boys less than 48 hours later, including several in Senior League games) when Sutton worked their way through the home defence to hit home from close range, for the third time leaving Seb Smith with no chance to get near the ball.

Cheddar were gutted to have lost so late but were told by Tim Richens that they should be very proud of taking a big, strong, talented team so close and actually, in the cold light of day, to have deserved a win based on good chances created.

Many players grew up a lot during this game and must now realise the potential this team has to develop even further. Also, several players who have been first and reserve team players took all the positives of this recognition and played with the swagger yet commitment that is expected by the management team of Richens and Martyn Panes. This is the standard; they now have to strive for this in every game.