SUDBROOK piled on the pressure at the top of Division 1 with a convincing victory over their promotion rivals on Saturday (11th October).

Now co-manager Daryl Cann says he is looking forward to the selection problems he will have when Matthew Phillips is available for selection.

"Matt lives and works in London," he said. "He's not always available but it will be great to have him in this team as well.

"Rob Thorn and Zak Hitchens have formed a great partnership and adding Matt will be a good problem to have."

Thorn scored a hat-trick and Hitchens added two as Sudbrook put Tunnel to the sword in 15 first-half minutes.

The first 28 minutes were fairly even with both teams creating half chances without making the breakthrough.

Then Thorn wriggled clear on the left side on the box and squared a low cross for Hitchens to prod home and four minutes later Hitchens turned provider, cutting the ball back for Thorn to hammer home from 12 yards.

The third goal came when Keenan Perrett was brought down, Thorn scoring from the spot despite a good effort to stop it by Tunnel keeper Dan Moores.

After the break, skipper Stuart Cochrane made it 4-0 but things turned sour five minutes later when Tunnel's Chris Taylor was sent off after colliding with Sudbrook keeper Steve Hepple.

Tunnel's day became worse as Hitchens grabbed his second, Thorn completed his hat-trick and Perrett added the seventh from the spot.

Sudbrook's co-manager Daryl Cann was delighted with his team's performance but admitted he thought the game would be tighter.

"Tunnel had only conceded seven goals in five league matches so I don't think anyone saw that coming," he said.

"Zak was awesome and he and Rob are playing brilliantly together."

Tunnel manager, Steve Duddridge said Taylor's dismissal looked worse than it was. "It looked bad from where I was standing," he said, "but we only get one view of it.

"Chris has apologised but said it a was a genuine accident. He tried to hurdle over the keeper but his backside hit the keeper's head.

"It was 50-50 and Chris was as entitled to go for the ball as Rob Thorn was when he clashed with our keeper – it was an unfortunate accident

"We were very poor. We failed to string three passes together and it was very disappointing."

Tunnel are at home again this Saturday (19th October) when they welcome Tintern Abbey A for a Gill Cup preliminary round tie (kick-off 1.45pm).

"It is going to be a case of banishing the ghosts from yesterday and getting back on track," Duddridge added.

"I'm not looking for a spectacular display, but a solid, professional performance to lay foundations for the rest of the season."

Also on Saturday, Sudbrook are away at Undy Athletic in a league match.