It feels like only a couple of weeks since that showery but memorable Saturday afternoon on the borders of Surrey and Greater London when the Angels achieved promotion to National League South by winning in extra time a Super Play Off Final against Metropolitan Police 3-2.  Of course it is a bit longer, but with such an exciting end to the season its for certain that a good few supporters probably didn't even want the campaign to end.  Well here we are, its not even the end of June and we can already look forward to some action in the form of the first pre-season friendly away against Sutton Common Rovers this coming Friday (June 28th) with a 7:45pm kick off.   

Whilst it is almost certain this is a first ever meeting between the two clubs, the ground, Gander Green Lane, will be familiar to most supporters as its where our hosts' more illustrious neighbours play.  There is also a player link with Rovers in the form of Elliott McKimm son of our manager who turns out for the club's Isthmian U18 side.  Will Elliott get the opportunity play against his Dad on the night?  Dad will certainly not be taking the difference in league standings lightly as Rovers finished as runners up in the Cherry Red Combined Counties League Premier Division last season and also won the League's Challenge Cup    

SCR as they commonly (oh dear) are often known were founded in 1978 and eventually after playing under different names and playing at a selection of grounds achieved promotion in 2008 to the Combined Counties League Division 1 which was followed two years later by elevation to the Premier division.  In 2009 they entered the FA Vase for the first time and the season after debuted in the FA Cup and Surrey Senior Cup.  In 2015 the Gander Green Lane groundshare agreement with the U's was also set up.

The result of the first pre-season friendly will perhaps be of less importance than the performance of individual players.  Angels supporters will be particularly interested to get a first look at Steve's four close season signings and see how they might fit into the existing squad or maybe it could be the other way round.  There is also news that as many as half-a-dozen trialists could be involved.  Pre-season has arrived!