Errea Northern Senior League
Division Two
Harrow Hill 0
Soudley 2
SOUDLEY started this local derby away to the league leaders full of confidence, having not lost in their last six games.
The visitors put the home team under pressure from the start with some crisp passing and movement.
Dave Taylor found Paul Johnson with a 40 yard pass down the right flank and the skilful Johnson ghosted past two defenders and crossed into the box.
Paul Manns handled the ball and Ricky Anderson sent Simon Reid the wrong way from the penalty-spot.
Things got worse for the home team when the experienced Martin Reid (pictured) had to leave the pitch with a dead leg.
Harrow Hill had their best spell of the game towards the end of the first-half.
Soudley's back three of Ricky Tingle, Dave Johnson and Dave Taylor – who had one of his best games in a Soudley shirt – kept the pressure away from keeper Simon Kear.
Soudley doubled their lead in the second-half when sub Liam Nelmes put Teddy Adams in the clear. After beating the offside trap, Adams coolly lobbed the advancing keeper from 20 yards.
Soudley keeper Kear made a good one-on-one save to deny Matt Toomer. Hill keeper Simon Reid was sent off for handling the ball after rushing out of his goal to make a challenge.
Soudley certainly deserved their victory with a strong all-round performance.
Hill missed Eddie Weyman, Jody Taylor and Sam Jones, with Scott Morgan, still struggling with injury, consigned to the bench.
Hill boss Andy Reid said: "We were under strength today but I can't take anything away from Soudley. Full credit to them, they were better than us and thoroughly deserved their victory. We need to have a look at ourselves and regroup for this week's game."