Carshalton Athletic could have swapped their boots for divers flippers on Saturday and nobody would have noticed as flooding washed out the pre-season friendly against former Welsh League Champions Inter Cable Tel.

With thunder booming around Colston Avenue the players could have been forgiven for believing they were playing water polo as torrential rain turned the War Memorial ground into a lake.

Despite the deluge both sides attempted to play football with Inter Cable taking the lead after 33 minutes. The Robins, who face Crawley Town at home this Saturday, braved injury to mount a fightback but were as relieved as their fans when it was abandoned at half time.

Sutton United's pre season build up at Gander Green Lane was boosted on Monday night with a 2-1 victory over a strong Reading XI managed by former Celtic boss Tommy Burns. Andy Riley and Junior Haynes scored for Sutton while Neville Roach, who helped Kingstonian lift last season's Ryman Premier title, pulled one back for the visitors on the hour.

United travel to St Leonards on Saturday before meeting a Chelsea XI at Gander Green Lane on Tuesday night. KO: 7.30pm.

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