Gagny 1 Sutton 2

Sutton Schools Borough U11s travelled to Paris on Saturday to play against their twin town of Gagny at the Jean Bois Stadium.

Sutton played two 7 Aside games against their French hosts and had to adapt quickly to the hot conditions and clever French possession football.

Sutton took an early lead when Zack Norman and Sam O’Leary-Blade combined cleverly but for the next 20 minutes the French took control and gave Sutton the runaround with their neat passing and movement which resulted in an equalising goal just before half time.

As the game slowed, Sutton began to adapt, holding onto the ball and making more measured passes and with a slight one for one player advantage, stole the game when the O’Leary-Blade, Norman combination found a narrow opening for the deciding score.

Gagny 3 Sutton 8

In the second game, it was all Sutton as they proved to be just too powerful for the French opposition. Stefan Ilic headed in Noah Vezzu’s cross for the opening goal and then grabbed two more striker’s goals for his hat trick in the first ten minutes!

From then on Sutton continued to dominate with further goals from Jack Hopper, Tommy Hicks, Alex Bannister and Noah Vezzu.

As Sutton relaxed, Gagny scored 3 consolation goals, one from the penalty spot but by then the game was over and the Sutton players from both teams celebrated an enjoyable day in the French Capital.

Sutton: Feeley (Brookfield), Kieran McGee, Craig McGee -Capt., Healy (St. Cecilia’s), Hopper (Homefield), Hicks (Robin Hood), Vezzu (The Avenue), Steele, Morcombe (Bandon Hill), Jeevan, Scantlebury (High View), Bannister (Benhilton), Norman, O’Leary-Blade (St. Mary’s), Ilic (Cheam Common)