We entertained league newcomers Lebeq United for the first game of the new season in front of a decent crowd of 66.
After two seasons away, Chris Manns returned in goal behind George Brown, Kai Long, captain Adam Crooks and Sam Roberts; Sam Downes, Joe Ellis, Scott Hatcher and Tommy Lacey with Frank Gingell and Adam Mahdi leading the attack.
On the bench were Oakley Rawlings, David English, Rod Castillo and Kallum Withey.
From the KO it was apparent that Lebeq will be a force to be reckoned with having won the Gloucester County League last season. On four minutes, Gingell headed over from a free kick but generally we were kept on the back foot with Manns forced into a good save diving to his left on the stroke of half time.
Half Time Bishop Sutton 0 Lebeq United 0
Two subs were made at half time, Hatcher and Roberts being replaced by Withey and Castillo.
We opened the scoring on 57 minutes, Gingell played the ball left to right across the area, finding Mahdi who controlled with his left foot and scored in off the left post. Lebeq came back strongly and four minutes later Manns, saved at point blank range. Their equaliser came in the 62nd minute, a corner from the right found an unmarked forward who volleyed powerfully home.
Lebeq were now in the ascendancy, forcing Manns into multiple saves in the 72nd minute. The visitors took the lead in the 75th minute, an attack through the centre forced our twin central defenders into an error, allowing their centre forward to burst through and score in the corner.
Lebeq added a third in the last minute, another central defensive error produced an identical outcome.
Full Time Bishop Sutton 1 Lebeq United 3
Our Man of the Match, keeper Chris Manns for a string of good saves and an all round impressive performance.
A disappointing start to the season which we aim to improve upon next Saturday, the 10th away at local rivals Welton Rovers.