Goddard encouraged as Long Sutton Athletic bounce back with comfortable win

Player/boss Danny Goddard was impressed with his depleted Long Sutton Athletic side as they breezed past ChromaSport PDFL Division One basement boys Langtoft United Reserves 4-1 on Saturday.

Strikes from Jonny Allen, Tomas Gomes, Kyle Williamson and Goddard himself were the least Sutton deserved at London Road, as they put back-to-back defeats against Baston behind them.

Although the Magpies chief expected his side to take all three points, he was down to the bare bones selection wise with regulars Wayne Congreve and Sam Moses sidelined – along with injured talisman Matty Cawthorn.

With Sutton now taking a two-week break from league action to concentrate on cup matches, Goddard feels he’ll know exactly where his side stand by the time they host Wisbech Town Reserves on November 14.

Currently ninth, the Magpies have played more games than almost every side around them.

“We should have scored more,” admitted Goddard. “If I’d had my shooting boots on I would probably have scored five alone.

“It was very encouraging. Yes, we expected to beat a Langtoft side that are bottom of the table.

“But we were missing a lot of key players. It was a bit of a scratch 11 with people out of position, but a few of the players that came in really staked a claim to keep their shirt.

“We worked very hard – it was a bit of a workmanlike performance – and I was impressed.

“If we can keep that squad playing in that way and add the injured players back into the team, I’ll have a few selection headaches.

“I’m looking forward to seeing where we really are in a few weeks. Our cup games allow the other sides to catch up.

“We’re focused on improving on last year and I can see performances getting better on a weekly basis.”

Sutton: Taylor, Wayman, R Ward, Fitch, M Ward, Belakov, Gomes, J Ward, Allen, Goddard, Williamson. Subs used: Brothwell, Jones.

Att: 30.