Sudbury Court FC: A Journey

Vale Farm played host to an entertaining Middlesex County Combination tie, as Sudbury Court ran out comfortable winners against St. Nicholas to make it three wins out of three for Olly James in the league.

With Sudbury Court playing their previous game just four days ago the visit of St. Nicholas brought about a few changes for the unbeaten side; most notably a debut for Luke Olley, who was brought in to the defence for Luke Mathias, with Louis Baucutt taking up left back duties for James’ side.

Both sides came into this fixture on unbeaten runs, and an early goal for the away side made a tough early-season test for Sudbury Court even harder as St. Nicholas midfielder Charlie Vicars found the net in just the second minute with a tap-in following an excellent cross from Darren Matthews on the left wing.

The early goal stunned the home side, and St. Nicholas should have extended their lead through striker Cole Brown before 10 minutes had even been played. A mix-up between debutant Olley and Obaye-Daley gave the 17 year-old a clean run on goal, though he could only find the post with his curling effort.

Sudbury Court rallied around despite the let-off and drew level soon later, as energetic striker Vences Bola struck his second of the season following Anthony Guppy’s pinpoint assist.

This opened the game up nicely as both sides looked to play attacking football. Obaye-Daley almost made atonement at the other end for his earlier defensive error although his header from a Guppy free-kick agonisingly struck the post for the second time in the game on 25 minutes. Bola was also unlucky not to score from the resulting throw-in, as his poked effort from the middle of the St. Nicholas penalty area missed just wide of Joel Hernandez’s right hand post.

The striker looked to be in hungry form and pulled a good save from Hernandez just after the half hour as Sudbury Court looked to pile the pressure on their opponents, though this was the last real action of an entertaining first half at Vale Farm.

Half time score: 1-1

Sudbury Court have been impressive in their second half performances this season, and didn’t have long to wait after the restart to take the lead. Vences Bola grabbed his second goal of the game after Kashif Siddiqi’s long clearance was misjudged by Hernandez in the St. Nicholas goal.

Despite the setback, St. Nicholas pegged the home side back not long after through Cole Brown’s tap-in from a low ball in by James Tyrrell, as the explosive striker bagged a deserved goal after hitting Louis Bragg’s post earlier in the game.

The home side were not done there, however, and made it 3-2 moments after as target man Aaron Opoku headed home his second of the season supplied by a delightful cross from auxiliary left back Louis Baucutt.

Much like the first half, the second period was an entertaining, end-to-end affair in which either team could have scored a critical goal. Fortunately for the home side Bola seized the initiative on 68 minutes after substitute Danny Emmanuel’s low cross from a perfect through ball from Tom Howard.

The midfielder impressed for Sudbury Court and became the lynchpin of the team as they sat back and effectively defended their two goal cushion. There were late chances at either end; most notably Tyrrell’s late 25-yard effort for St. Nicholas followed by substitute Elvis Hammond’s close range miss for the home side, however Olly James’ outfit were able to defend to the full time whistle and leave the team with three impressive & hard-fought wins from three games.

Full time score: 4-2

Sudbury Court FC have today released their August accounts in line with the terms of their CFI grant from Brent Council.

The accounts show the full cost of the recent work undertaken to improve their home pitch at Vale Farm which, at £4,464.18 was by far the largest expenditure of the month. In contrast, the club raised a combined £311.65 of match day income, including gates for their opening fixture against Harrow Bhoys and club/ bar takings for the game. Due to the ground improvement works, the club ended the month with a net loss of £4,389.36.

Tickets for Sudbury Court’s Middlesex County Senior Open Cup first round match against Heathens on Saturday are now available for discounted early purchase from the clubhouse at Vale Farm.

The eagerly anticipated cup tie will take place on Saturday 10th September at 13:00, and discounted tickets (£4 adult, £2 seniors, children & concessions) will be available from the clubhouse until 20:00 on Friday. Tickets can be purchased on the day for £5 (£3 seniors, children & concessions) and the bar and clubhouse will remain open until 22:00 after the match is played.

Both sides have made a bright start to their respective campaigns, with Sudbury Court sitting atop the Middlesex County Combination after three unbeaten games. The visitors currently lie second in the Middlesex County Division Two – one division above Sudbury Court – after their 2-0 opening day victory against Centenary Park, and will certainly prove to be a tough test for Olly James’ side as they embark on their maiden season.

Sudbury Court had to win the hard way in their first round Middlesex County Senior Open Cup fixture against Second Division side Heathens at Vale Farm earlier today. Olly James’ side had to rely on penalties to defeat a disciplined Heathens outfit in a tough battle, but came out on top thanks to their determination and resilience in the face of much tougher opposition than they are currently used to.

It was the level 13 side that started brightest in this game, showing some slick passing and decent awareness early on. Rob Budd had to be on guard early on in the Sudbury Court goal, beating away Luke Lewis’ close range effort after just five minutes.

Despite fielding a rotated midfield for this fixture it was two early season favourites who fashioned the home side’s first chance of the game through Aaron Opoku, who whistled an effort just over the crossbar following Vences Bola’s precise through ball.

Both sides came into this match unbeaten and looking confident, but it was the Division Two side’s technical prowess that gave them a commanding lead on the ten minute mark as explosive striker Omar Mbulu beat the Sudbury Court defence for pace, slotting past the rooted Budd after sprinting on to Aaron Stanley’s ball over the top to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

Olly James’ side seemed to be struggling with the pace of the forward, and he could have added a second just two minutes later, although this time Budd was equal to the effort and parried the ball safely wide.

As the first half wore on it became apparent that the goalkeepers would be the difference from either side. Both Rob Budd and Joseph Wade made good saves from Conor Hubble and Mbulu respectively to preserve the current scoreline.

Sudbury Court’s equaliser came just minutes after Opoku was expertly slide-tackled by Lawson Palmer with the goal at his mercy. Free scoring striker Bola claimed his fifth of the season with a sublime 18-yard effort following Opoku’s headed flick to put James’ side level going into the half time break.

Half time score: 1-1

The late first half goal turned the game on its head, and both sides looked nervous early on in the second period. Macauley Keating missed the pick of the early chances shooting wide after Opoku’s deft flick on.

Sudbury Court have been adept at coming from behind in the league this season, though this match was a much tougher challenge for them. The second half of this game remained tight as both sides looked to consolidate their positions; even the introduction of experienced striker Elvis Hammond just after the hour could not rejuvenate proceedings.

The home side almost snatched victory right at the death as a lofted ball over the top from Keating found the run of Vences Bola, however on this occasion the free-scoring striker could not find the target; instead forcing Heathens keeper Wade into a sprawling save low down to his right as ninety minutes came to a disappointing end.

Full time score: 1-1

Extra time was a cruel blow for an already tired Sudbury Court, who played their previous fixture just three evenings ago against St. Nicholas. Macauley Keating had the best early chance of extra time, forcing the ever-present Wade into another fine stop from a close range header.

The home side looked to pile on the pressure in the additional period as they looked to shake off any tired legs or cramps, and forced Wade into another fine save through substitute Elvis Hammond. The striker raced on to a through ball from Danny Emmanuel before his shot was superbly tipped wide by the onrushing keeper.

With both sides unable to break the deadlock the spectre of penalties loomed over the tired players. Otudeko had a good chance late on, but saw his shot fizz just wide of Wade’s left hand upright before the lottery of penalties began.

Despite looking bereft of energy, Sudbury Court rallied round in the shootout and impressed with 4 goals from 4 penalties before left back Luke Mathias scored the decisive spot-kick low into the bottom right corner of the Heathens goal to send Olly James’ side safely through to the second round of the competition.

Full time score: 1-1
Penalties: 5-4

22 year old Nigerian striker Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe has been granted a four week trial with Sudbury Court as he looks for a new club following his departure from Northern Premier League First Division South side Carlton Town last season.

The London born striker will be training with the Vale Farm outfit to bring up his fitness levels with a view to registering with the club as they look to bolster their attacking options for both their league and cup campaigns.

Sudbury Court have been handed an away tie at Southall Reserves in the second round of the Middlesex County Senior Open Cup, as the draw was made earlier today.

The Middlesex Premier Division side will present a much tougher challenge for Olly James’ side, whose 5-4 penalty victory over Heathens yesterday ensured a safe passage through to the second round of the competition. Southall Reserves, whose parent club play in the Spartan South Midlands league, were one of just five clubs to have been handed a bye through the first round and will take a home advantage into the game which will be held at Reynolds Park, Perivale on Saturday, 8th October.

Sudbury Court’s league fixture against CB Hounslow United Under 18s, which was scheduled for that day, has been moved to an evening kick off on Wednesday 5th to accommodate the tie.

Sudbury’s various sides enjoyed a mixed bag of results over the weekend as the Middlesex County Senior Open Cup got underway.

The most emphatic victory came for South Kilburn of the Middlesex Premier Division, who comfortably overcame their divisional rivals Kensington Dragons 3-0 courtesy of a brace from Gary Andrew and a fine Nathan Drewett header.

Elsewhere, Sudbury Court kicked off their competition with a hard-fought victory against Middlesex Division Two side Heathens. The Middlesex County Combination outfit had to rely on nerves of steel in the penalty shootout after both sides played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at Vale Farm. Left back Luke Mathias played the hero for the home side, slotting home the winning penalty after 120 gruelling minutes.

Local sides LNER and St. Nicholas had differing fortunes in the first round, losing to AFC Hanwell & Hayes (3-2) and Vos (3-1) respectively. Both ties were tricky fixtures to higher league opposition, but both teams will be disappointed to have left the competition so early.

The second round will prove tough for both remaining Sudbury sides however, as both South Kilburn and Sudbury Court have been handed away ties to Middlesex Premier Division opposition; South Kilburn will play away at Deportivo Galicia while Sudbury Court face a tough away fixture at Southall Reserves. Both ties will be played in just under a months’ time, on Saturday, 8th October.