Sutton hit for six
Ten-men Sutton United suffered their biggest defeat of the season conceding six at home to Nuneaton Griff.
Nuneaton proved clinical in front of goal, scoring six of their seven shots on target, although they had a huge helping hand when Sutton were reduced to nine and then ten men. Sutton had looked the stronger team despite falling behind to Aeron Thomas’ strike after half an hour. But George Rays sending off in the 37th minute changed the match, as Nuneaton converted their penalty and then went on to score another four to complete a comprehensive win.
There was a start for Sutton’s new signing Harry Howard, who played just behind the front two of Joe Gildea and Hayden Froggatt. And it was Howard who set up Jon Grigg for the first effort on goal, with a thumping shot that had Divin Emmanuel diving to tip behind.
Grigg came close again soon after, when he wriggled along the edge of the box before a left-footed strike was held by Emmanuel. And Sam Jeeves also saw an effort from distance curl narrowly wide of the post.
However, Sutton found themselves behind in the 28th minute, when Nuneaton scored with their first effort at goal, as Thomas volleyed home from six yards.
Then on 37 minutes Sutton conceded a penalty for Ray’s challenge on Matthew Chadaway and he was shown a controversial red card under the Double Jeopardy Rule, with Tion Pearce also given a sin bin for his remonstrations. Thomas then converted the spot kick to give the visitors a two-goal lead.
Now having to play the final ten minutes of the half with nine men, Sutton reorganised with Tom Massey and Grigg falling into defence, and they showed great resilience before Nuneaton finally capitalised on their numbers with a goal on the stroke of half time, as Reece Williams tucked home Owen Wassall’s low cross.
Sutton made four changes at the start of the second half with Abdul Touaiti, Ronan Sheehan, Jake Murrell and debutant Oli Jeeves coming in off the bench, closely followed by Kye Billingham-Belle.
However, Nuneaton were enjoying more possession in the second half, and it wasn’t long before they extended their lead with two quick goals. Thomas claimed his hat-trick in the 56th minute when he got the final touch on a goalmouth scramble, and only a minute later, Wassell found space in the box to fire in their fifth goal.
The visitors sixth goal summed up Sutton’s day, as Daniel Edmonds’ strike was initially saved by Greg Lewis before it hit the cross bar and skimmed across the face of goal to finally creep over the line.
United almost claimed a consolation when Sam Jeeves curled a free kick towards the back post and the keeper tapped it onto his cross bar, and again when Touaiti headed a corner kick onto the woodwork.
Suttons next fixture should be interesting, as they head to Chelmsley Town on Saturday 5th October, with both sides looking to bounce back from a 6-0 defeat.
Team: Sutton United
1. Greg Lewis
2. George Ray
3. Scott Hardy
4. Matt Bishop
5. Tion Pearce sb
6. Sam Jeeves
7. Jon Grigg – 46’ Jake Murrell
8. Tom Massey(c) – 59’ Kye Billingham-Belle
9. Joe Gildea – 46’ Oli Jeeves
10. Harry Howard – 46’ Ronan Sheehan
11. Hayden Froggatt – 46’ Abdul Touaiti
Management/Assistants:
Richard Heath
Liam Burke
Adam Watson
Chris Bratt-Rose
Bobby Brittan
Derek Culling
Amelia Small
Team: Nuneaton Griff
1. Divin Emmanuel
2. Luke Campion – 59’ Ahmed Salum
3. Owen Wassall
4. Thomas Hall
5. Lewis Campbell
6. James Bryson
7. Reece Williams – 66’ Beau Friel
8. Kyle Whitley
9. Daniel Edmonds
10. Matthew Chadaway – 71’ Hamed Alamin
11. Aeron Thomas – 59’ Ruben Wade
Management/Assistants:
Arron Cheshire
Corey Williams
Will Daniel
Paul Barker
Match Officials: Jack Rose, Simon Lane, Lois Jefferies