Badshot Lea manager Gavin Smith admitted a draw was a fair result after his side drew 1-1 against Sutton Common Rovers in the Isthmian League South Central Division on Saturday afternoon.

The Baggies got off to the perfect start and took the lead in the ninth minute when Josh Keeya played the ball through to Anuar Ceesay, who calmly slotted home.

The home side equalised on 56 minutes when Aaron Jenkins fired home, before both sides were reduced to ten men late on.

Tariq Straker was sent off for Sutton Common Rovers after fouling Tane Caubo when he was through on goal, but the Baggies were then reduced to ten men themselves when Ceesay was sent off.

Saturday’s match was the Baggies’ first for nearly two weeks after a number of postponements, and Smith admitted his side suffered from a lack of match sharpness as the game wore on.

“I think a draw was a fair result,” said Smith.

“We started really well and were excellent for the first 35 minutes.

“I did think the lack of matches might catch up with us in the second half, and it did, but we were excellent in the first half and there are loads of positives to build on.

“We will get stronger as we get back into the rhythm of playing games.

“It’s almost been like a second pre-season with the amount of games we’ve had off – but we were really good for 45 minutes.

“Sutton’s equaliser was a scrappy one from a throw in, but they deserved it in the second half. They’ve been playing every week and it showed.

“I’ve looked at the stats and we had 260 completed passes in the first half and 98 completed passes in the second half, which speaks for itself.

“When Sutton went down to ten we hoped to get some momentum back in the game, but then Anuar was sent off.

“Cam Rohart-Brown was our man-of-the-match – he had a bright game and pushed on further up the pitch when we brought Callum Wiltshire on.”

Next up for Badshot Lea is a home game against Thatcham Town in the Isthmian League South Central Division on Saturday afternoon (3pm).

The Baggies then travel to Ascot United on New Year’s Day (3pm).