Thursday 3rd May 2012 - kick off 7:49pm
A really heavy downpour a couple of hours before kick off time made me think about giving this a miss. But the rain soon cleared and I made the short journey to the Stag Ground not really bothered if the game was on or not. Mrs Kev's a bit under the weather, so he wanted to spend the evening with her, so I was Billy No-Mates again.
Did meet up with Brian Dennett and Maurice MacFarland, so at least I had someone to talk to!!
Kimberley players were mostly unknown to me - Graeme Critchley once again having to play a very young, inexperienced side. Sutton were also short on numbers - gaffer Dean Short began the game and only Assistant Manager Dean Mitchell was on the Snipes' bench. He had to take to the pitch early in proceedings after Richard Giles pulled a hammy.
ANDY WHITE opened the scoring on 16, hitting a sweet volley after Dean Gilliatt found him 10 yards from the goal. CRAIG MITCHELL added the Snipes' second after 28 minutes, his shot took a slight deflection giving the home keeper no chance. Seconds later, WHITE added the third, powering home a far post header from a Nathan Hollingworth free-kick. On 34, MITCHELL grabbed the visitors fourth, neatly lobbing the keeper from 18 yards. By this time the rain was falling heavily again, and it never let up for the rest of the game!
Despite being totally out-played, Kimberley kept going, and actually pulled a goal back in the 36th minute, PETER FOX driving home from the edge of the box. The four goal lead was re-established on 38, MITCHELL prodding home at the far post to complete his hat-trick. H-T 1-5
Sutton added their sixth with eight minutes of the second half played. WHITE ran into the area and remained composed before firing the ball into the roof of the net to complete his triple.
The game then entered a strange phase - James Whitehead and Dean Short desperate to get on the score-sheet had quite a few chances, but both showed why they don't start up front on a regular basis...!!
We had to wait until the 81st minute before the ball was in the Kimberley net again - DALE GILLIATT hammering the ball home from 15 yards. GILLIATT added the eight just before the final whistle, another sweet hit that was past the hapless home keeper before he could react. F-T 1-8
Admission £3
Programme - didn't get one.
H/C only about 20
