Sue's Angels FC 8-1 Haydons Park, 13 Sept 2026

Eight-goal Angels move to the top of League Eight

Sue’s Angels FC 8–1 Haydons Park

Sue’s Angels FC delivered the response they had demanded from themselves, defeating Haydons Park 8–1 at The Reeves Sports Club to move to the top of League Eight.

Hat-tricks from Player of the Match Ade Owolana and Charlie Dunkley were accompanied by goals from Leon Burnett and Elis Brumpton, who scored his first competitive goal for the club.

The afternoon also featured three significant appearances. Former captain Jimi El Bayati came out of retirement to start at the heart of the defence, while Danny Cain and George Churchill both made their competitive Sue’s Angels debuts from the bench.

It was a day of goals, milestones and returning faces, but above everything else, it was the performance the Angels wanted following the frustrations of the previous weekend.

A response was required

Seven days earlier, Sue’s Angels had opened their League Eight campaign with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Three Little Birds FC.

The result secured three important points in the club’s first match following a two-division promotion, but the players knew their performance had fallen below the standards established during the previous season.

Three Little Birds had started strongly, created several opportunities and forced Luke Munns into making eight saves. Sue’s Angels were required to change from a 4-1-3-2 into a 4-2-3-1 before eventually finishing the contest in a 5-3-2 to protect their lead.

Goals from Jon Lloyd and Dunkley proved enough, but the Angels left The Reeves knowing there was considerable room for improvement.

Against Haydons Park, the response was immediate.

A familiar leader returns

Sue’s Angels started the match in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with a familiar and much-loved figure returning at the centre of the back three.

Jimi El Bayati had announced his retirement after the club’s historic first season. His expected final appearance had ended in fitting fashion, with a commanding performance, a clean sheet and a Player of the Match award.

The former captain had helped establish the standards and dressing-room culture that carried Sue’s Angels through an undefeated League Ten campaign. His influence was recognised when he received the 2025/26 Clubman of the Year award.

Jimi was expected to remain with the Angels as part of the coaching staff, but his playing career appeared to be over.

Against Haydons Park, the boots came back out.

Jimi did not return simply for a late appearance after the result had been secured. He started the match at the heart of the defence, bringing experience, leadership and composure to the Angels’ shape from the opening whistle.

With Jimi providing the foundation from the back, Sue’s Angels immediately took control.

Angels set the tone

The players pressed high, recovered possession quickly and prevented Haydons Park from settling into the contest.

When the Angels had the ball, they moved it patiently from one side of the pitch to the other, waiting for the right moment to attack. Every pass carried purpose, and each press was supported by another player.

Whenever possession was lost, the reaction was immediate.

It was a completely different beginning from the previous weekend.

Against Three Little Birds, Munns had been required to keep the Angels in the match. Against Haydons Park, the goalkeeper was largely a spectator as the action unfolded in the visitors’ half.

The pressure eventually produced the opening goal.

A quick break released LJ, whose intelligent run took him into the space behind the Haydons Park right-back. He delivered an excellent cross into the penalty area, where the ball fell to Dunkley.

Charlie initially looked for an angle to shoot. When he realised the attempt was not available, he showed composure and awareness to lay the ball into the path of Owolana.

Ade shifted it onto his favoured left foot and placed his finish beyond the goalkeeper. The Haydons Park captain attempted to block the shot but instead left his goalkeeper unsighted and with little chance of reacting.

It was a composed finish and a deserved reward for the Angels’ dominant start.

Leon doubles the advantage

The opening goal increased the confidence within the team.

Haydons Park struggled to cope with the Angels’ pressing, movement and retention of possession. Sue’s Angels continued moving the ball across the pitch, refusing to force an opening when a better opportunity could be created.

The second goal arrived through a more direct attack.

A long pass from the back found Dean Knight, who read the flight of the ball and intelligently headed it into Burnett’s path.

Leon drove towards goal and placed the opposition centre-back under immediate pressure. As he attempted to advance into a scoring position, he was brought down.

The referee was left with little choice but to point to the penalty spot.

Andy Allen, the club’s designated penalty taker, collected the ball. However, he decided to hand the responsibility to Leon, giving him the opportunity to finish the move he had created.

Leon remained composed and sent his penalty to the goalkeeper’s right to make it 2–0.

The scoreline carried a warning.

Only one week earlier, Sue’s Angels had taken the same advantage against Three Little Birds before allowing the visitors back into the match.

Everyone knows how quickly a 2–0 lead can become uncomfortable when the opposition scores next.

This time, the Angels refused to leave the door open.

From two to five

Five minutes after Leon’s penalty, Dunkley scored the third.

Charlie had produced one of the early moments of the season during the opening weekend, scoring a spectacular right-footed strike from approximately 30 yards against Three Little Birds.

One week later, he continued his excellent start to the campaign by adding another goal.

The third removed any remaining uncertainty from the contest, but Sue’s Angels refused to reduce their intensity.

Four minutes later, Ade scored his second.

Charlie was once again central to the move. His energy and movement caused further problems for the Haydons Park defence before he created the opportunity for Ade.

Having opened the scoring with his favoured left foot, Ade demonstrated his composure on the opposite side by finishing confidently with his right.

Sue’s Angels led 4–0.

Before the interval, captain Daniel McLane stepped forward from defence and delivered a beautifully weighted lofted pass over the opposition back line.

Dunkley timed his run perfectly, advanced towards goal and converted the opportunity to score his second of the match.

The Angels entered half-time with a commanding 5–0 advantage.

A first half that set the standard

It had been an outstanding opening 45 minutes.

Jimi’s return had provided a calm and experienced presence at the centre of the defence. In front of him, the Angels pressed relentlessly, retained possession and attacked with confidence.

Haydons Park had been given very little opportunity to establish themselves in the game.

For those watching, the performance brought back memories of last season’s 6–0 home victory over Brockwell Violets.

That afternoon had been one of the Angels’ most complete performances during their title-winning campaign. The pressing, movement and control displayed against Haydons Park carried many of the same qualities.

Brockwell earned promotion alongside Sue’s Angels and will be faced again later this season. The first half against Haydons Park demonstrated that the Angels can produce the same level of football in their new division.

One leader makes way for a new Angel

The manager’s half-time message was clear.

The standards had been set, but they now had to be maintained.

The first-half performance had shown desire, confidence and a passion for everything the club represents. The players were told not to become distracted by the scoreline or allow the intensity to disappear.

Sue’s Angels was founded in memory of Susan Anne Martin. Every time the players represent the badge, they carry a meaning that reaches beyond the result of a football match.

It is more than just a club.

Jimi’s work was complete after 45 minutes. His return had helped the Angels establish a five-goal lead and ensured Haydons Park were given little encouragement during the opening half.

At the interval, the former captain made way for Danny Cain.

The change connected two stages of the club’s story. One of the original leaders from the title-winning team left the field, and a new player entered to begin his own competitive journey with Sue’s Angels.

Danny joined the back three for his competitive debut and helped the team continue controlling the match after the restart.

Elis opens his competitive account

The Angels began the second half exactly where they had left off.

Haydons Park’s goalkeeper produced several impressive saves to prevent the scoreline from increasing further. His resistance eventually forced Sue’s Angels to settle for a corner following another period of pressure.

Knight delivered an excellent ball into the penalty area.

Brumpton attacked it decisively and headed home from inside the six-yard box in the 57th minute.

The goal made it 6–0 and represented an important personal milestone.

It was Elis’ first competitive goal for Sue’s Angels.

The midfielder had been named Player of the Match in the opening-day victory over Three Little Birds. Seven days later, he continued his strong start to the campaign by adding his name to the scoresheet.

His opening two performances have demonstrated his ability to influence very different matches.

Against Three Little Birds, he stood out during a difficult contest in which the Angels were required to adapt and protect a narrow lead.

Against Haydons Park, he helped the team control possession and territory before marking the performance with his first competitive goal.

George joins the competitive story

Three minutes after Elis made it six, another debut arrived.

George Churchill was introduced from the bench in the 60th minute, replacing Andy Allen and taking his place at left wing-back.

It was George’s first competitive appearance for Sue’s Angels.

He entered with the team firmly in control but still determined to maintain its intensity and attacking purpose.

His introduction gave him the opportunity to experience League Eight football, settle into the team’s system and contribute during the closing half an hour.

With Danny beginning the second half and George joining shortly afterwards, two more players had now represented Sue’s Angels in competitive football.

From the sublime to the wasteful

The following half an hour became one of the strangest periods of finishing the Angels are likely to experience this season.

Sue’s Angels continued creating opportunities and repeatedly found their way through the Haydons Park defence. However, after converting six times, the finishing suddenly deserted them.

Clear chances came and went.

The Angels had moved from the sublime to the wasteful. On another afternoon, and with greater composure in front of goal, the scoreline could easily have increased from six to ten, eleven or even twelve.

It was the clearest area for improvement in an otherwise dominant team performance.

Haydons Park were eventually handed an opportunity to reduce the deficit.

The ball bounced up and struck Lloyd on the hand close to the edge of the penalty area. There was uncertainty over whether the contact had taken place inside or outside the box.

The referee decided it was inside and pointed to the penalty spot.

The Haydons Park captain (Aaron McNamara) stepped forward and calmly sent the spot kick to Munns’ right to make it 6–1.

It was a frustrating way for the Angels to lose their clean sheet.

Luke had otherwise enjoyed a quiet afternoon, making two saves from distance and confidently claiming the ball whenever Haydons Park attempted to deliver it into his area.

The Angels demand more

With only a few minutes remaining before stoppage time, many teams would have accepted the result and waited for the final whistle.

Sue’s Angels wanted more.

Charlie continued to press, chase and compete for every ball. His relentless approach created another problem for the opposition defence and earned the Angels a free kick approximately 25 yards from goal.

Dunkley took responsibility.

He curled his effort around the defensive wall and into the net to complete his hat-trick and restore the six-goal advantage.

Sue’s Angels led 7–1.

Even then, the scoring was not finished.

Shortly before the final whistle, the Angels launched one final counterattack.

Four players broke forward against two Haydons Park defenders. Leon carried the ball and assessed the options around him, while Ade continued his run to the left.

Leon released the pass into Ade’s path.

Owolana collected the ball inside the penalty area, opened his body and calmly placed a left-footed finish beyond the goalkeeper.

The goal completed Ade’s hat-trick and brought the scoring to a close.

Ade named Player of the Match

Ade’s performance earned him the Player of the Match award.

The attacking midfielder had shown his quality throughout pre-season, where his movement, confidence in possession and finishing ability made an immediate impression.

The challenge was to carry that form into competitive football.

Against Haydons Park, he delivered a clear answer.

Ade scored with both feet, consistently found space between the opposition midfield and defence and combined effectively with the players around him.

His opening two goals were created by Charlie, while his third came after he maintained the energy and determination to join the final counterattack.

It was not only a hat-trick performance. It was an early demonstration of the additional attacking quality the Angels have added for their League Eight campaign.

A statement response

The difference between the opening two weekends was clear.

Against Three Little Birds, Sue’s Angels demonstrated resilience. The team had to absorb pressure, change shape and defend a narrow advantage.

Against Haydons Park, the Angels demonstrated authority.

The pressing was aggressive. The possession had purpose. The movement repeatedly opened the opposition defence, and the players continued searching for goals until the final whistle.

There are still lessons to take forward.

The Angels should have converted more of their second-half opportunities. Conceding from the penalty spot also denied a largely untroubled defence the clean sheet its performance deserved.

However, those details should not overshadow the quality of the overall display.

The players were asked to respond after falling below their standards during the opening weekend.

They responded with eight goals.

Top after Gameweek Two

The victory moved Sue’s Angels to the top of League Eight after Gameweek Two.

The Angels have collected six points from six, scoring ten goals and conceding two. Their goal difference of plus eight placed them three points clear at the end of the weekend, although several clubs had played only once.

More importantly, Sue’s Angels were the only team to have won both of their opening league matches.

Last season’s undefeated League Ten campaign created high expectations, but League Eight represents a fresh challenge.

The opening two fixtures have already demonstrated two different routes to victory.

One required resilience and tactical flexibility.

The other displayed confidence, control and attacking quality.

Both ended with three points.

Sue’s Angels have made the perfect start.

Now the challenge is to maintain it.

Match details

Goalscorers

Milestones

• Ade Owolana scored his first competitive hat-trick for Sue’s Angels
• Charlie Dunkley scored his first hat-trick of the season
• Elis Brumpton scored his first competitive goal for the club
• Jimi El Bayati returned from retirement and started the match
• Danny Cain made his competitive debut from the bench
• George Churchill made his competitive debut from the bench
• Sue’s Angels moved to the top of League Eight