Farnborough 3 (Pendlebury 8’, Bloomfield 41’, Matthews-Lewis 83’) Sutton
United 1 (Boateng 27’)

Goals from Olly Pendlebury, Mason Bloomfield and Millar Matthews-Lewis
condemned the U’s to a 3-1 defeat at the Saunders Transport Community Stadium, with preparations
continuing ahead of the 2024/25 National League season.

Pendlebury was alert to turn in the rebound following a good save from Sam Roberts
to deny an initial shot from Sam Smart after just eight minutes, but the Steve
Morison’s side responded well with Nana Boateng notching an equaliser just before
the half-hour mark.

While it seemed as if the two sides would head into the break level, Bloomfield
popped up at the back post to restore Farnborough’s lead, with Matthews-Lewis
making the win safe at the end of the second half.

The U’s got off to a positive start, with Boateng producing the first shot of the match
after showing some neat footwork to make space for an effort, firing wide via a
deflection just three minutes in.

Fresh off a 4-0 victory over Tonbridge Angels on Tuesday night, Sutton were keen to
continue their pre-season preparations in good spirit, but were stunned when
Pendlebury gave the National League South the lead, breaking the deadlock despite
some brilliant work from U’s goalkeeper Roberts to deny Smart’s initial shot.
This seemed to spur the hosts on, with Reggie Young firing just wide of the target
with a volley moments later, but it wouldn’t be long before the U’s got back into the
match when Dillon De Silva broke away down the left flank before squaring the ball
to Boateng, who took a touch and rolled the ball under Jack Turner at the second
attempt.

Farnborough would still go into the break ahead though, with Bloomfield tapping
home with four minutes to go to peg the U’s back once more.

Roberts continued his good performance in the second half with some spectacular
saves to deny Joe Haigh and Trialist F, with the latter also having an effort blocked
by Harry Ransom.

Morison changed his entire side on the hour-mark, and this seemed to give Sutton a
boost with Josh Coley winning a free kick on the edge of the box, which Eduino Vaz
firing over the crossbar.

Vaz later nearly turned provider, doing well to nick the ball away on the touchline
before picking out Will Davies, who’s toe poke was too tame to trouble Turner.
Steve Arnold then continued Roberts’ good work with a strong stop to deny
Matthews-Lewis, preceding a chance for Jeremy Sivi who showed excellent pace to
reach the byline before being denied by Turner.

Matthews-Lewis then stepped up with seven minutes to go to fire a free kick beyond
Arnold and extend Farnborough’s advantage, with Lewis Simper sending a
speculative effort well over the crossbar moments later to bring Sutton’s second pre-
season friendly of the campaign to a close.

Sutton United (First Half): Sam Roberts; Brad Williams, Jack Taylor, Harry Ransom,
Adam Reeves; Jay Williams, Jack Wadham; Nana Boateng, Jayden Harris, Dillon De
Silva; Vinnie Tume

Second Half: Steve Arnold; Ryan Jackson, Tyler French, Hayden Muller, Eduino Vaz;
Siju Odelusi, Lewis Simper; Josh Coley, Joden Trickett, Jeremy Sivi; Will Davies