Sutton Common Rovers 1 Tooting and Mitcham United 3 – 6 October 2025 Report

Match Report

Tooting negotiated a tough opening fixture in the Surrey Senior Cup, and extended an increasingly impressive away record in the process, by comfortably despatching neighbours Sutton Common Rovers at their latest temporary home in early October. With the nailbiting win at Thatcham Town being completed little more than 48 hours beforehand, manager Jamie Byatt made several changes – keeping some players fresh for the forthcoming weekend and giving valuable minutes to others who were in need of them. Such was the case in former SCR stalwart Matt Tanton who, having picked up an injury in a pre-season friendly for the Terrors, was finally making his long-overdue first competitive start for the club. His former employers themselves made a number of changes from the eleven who had triumphed comprehensively at Imperial Fields just over three weeks prior. To add to the local-derby sense of occasion, there were also a few ex-Terrors wearing the home colours, with Marcus Travers, Shawn Lyle and Malachai Cole all starting, and Hussein Siklawi keeping the bench warm. Nevertheless, this was still a hugely satisfying victory for the visitors. In a blistering start, just three minutes had elapsed when Rovers failed to deal with a free-kick lofted into the box, and the ball fell nicely to Habeeb Adepoju who struck home cleanly into the right-hand corner of the goal.

The Terrors settled down nicely thereafter, and controlled much of the first half with some neat one-touch football and confident passing. There were several opportunites to have extended the lead which weren’t taken, but with the defence looking in composed mood – and Matt Tanton unsurprisingly looking at home on the Colston Avenue turf – there was very little danger in evidence from our hosts. However, they finally managed to put together some concerted attacking play as half-time approached; then, in the last minute of the first forty-five, Joshua Rodrigues headed home from close-range following a set-piece and the home side were level. Thankfully, that was little more than a statistical note as the Terrors regained control after the break and dominated much of the second period. We restored our advantage just after the re-start when Darral Wopara looped home a header from another free-kick, and looked in no mood to let things slip after that. Our dominance was rewarded eight minutes from time when Alex Cruickshank embarked on a dazzling solo run, and finished brilliantly past Adam Withers as the young keeper advanced to meet him. There were no further scares as victory was confirmed shortly after by the final whistle, and celebrations could then ensue.

Team Lineup