Late Gildea header wins it for Sutton
Sutton United claimed victory with an 87th minute goal from Joe Gildea that proved decisive against a stubborn Ingles side at Coleshill Road Stadium.
It was a fantastic header from Gildea that he looped over the Ingles goalkeeper from fourteen yards out, to secure a hard-earned three points for the Greens.
Sutton made two changes from the midweek starting eleven, with Perry Cotton and Tion Pearce coming into defence, following a worrying injury to centre back Jake Lamb that he picked up against Heather St. John’s on Tuesday.
Gildea’s goal settled what was a game of few clear-cut chances; Ingles sat deep, and United were finding it hard to find a way through. Lewis Wall, Aidan Mee and Perry Cotton all tried their luck from distance in the first half, with the latter’s effort coming closest, forcing a fingertipped save from the Ingles goalkeeper, Lorcan Morrissey.
As the hosts pressed for an opening, Tom Massey did well to dribble his way into the penalty area in the 32nd minute, only to find Adam Boulter there to block his final shot at goal.
Ingles were well organised, and they defended strongly, yet they seem to be struggling in front of goal, scoring only one in their opening three matches. Their best chance of the half came from a quickly taken free kick that saw Malik Boyce run in behind the Green’s defence, but goalkeeper, Greg Lewis, remained alert to the danger with a strong challenge at the edge of his area.
It was much the same for the second half as Sutton continued to probe for a breakthrough. Lewis Hayden saw an effort curl just over the crossbar, and when Gildea threaded a pinpoint pass through the centre for Hayden Froggatt, his shot was brilliantly saved by Morrissey.
It was then Froggatt’s turn to set up Gildea with a lay-off at the edge of the penalty area, but the striker’s low shot skimmed agonisingly wide of the target.
The visitors continued to sit deep with men behind the ball, happy to soak up the pressure as Sutton controlled 82 percent of the possession. Nevertheless, United remained patient and their pressure finally paid off in the 87th minute. Fresh legs made a difference, as first Harry Manton drove down the left channel before delivering into the penalty area, and when his cross was intercepted by Adam Goulter, Jon Grigg was first to the loose ball to set up Cotton on the right wing. The full-back delivered a dangerous ball towards the penalty spot for Gildea to score his third of the season and extend United’s winning start to three matches.
Next up for Sutton is an away trip to Bilston Town on Wednesday 13th August, kick off 7.45pm.
Team: Sutton United
1. Greg Lewis
2. Perry Cotton
3. Aidan Mee – 83’ Harry Manton
4. Matt Bishop
5. Tion Pearce
6. Lewis Wall – 60’ Sam Jeeves
7. Ollie Burgundy – 78’ Jonny Grigg
8. Lewis Hayden
9. Joe Gildea
10. Tom Massey – 68’ Hayden Froggatt
11. Dylan Green – 60’ Harry Howard
Management/Assistants:
Richard Heath
Jon Huckfield
Aiden Jeynes
Marcus Davies
Evija Stauga
Derek Culling
Team: Ingles
1. Lorcan Morrissey
2. Joe Goodwin – 87’ Cam Greenhough
3. Adam Palmer
4. George Brown
5. Dan Chapman
6. Adam Goulter
7. Dequarnai Williams – 76’ Harry Baguley
8. Jack Allen – 78’ Sean Bennett
9. Malik Boyce
10. Oliver Unwin
11. Hamza Siddique – 57’ Billy Clarke
Sub unused: Kyle Fowkes
Management/Assistants:
Jordan Allen
Michael Tuck
Conor Bennett
Match Officials: Ethan Walker, Sarfraz Mohammed, Callum Finnegan
| Sutton United | Statistics | Ingles |
| 1 | Goals | 0 |
| 13 | Attempts | 2 |
| 7 | Attempts on Target | 1 |
| 82% | Possession | 18% |
| 8 | Corners | 0 |
| 5 | Fouls Committed | 12 |
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| Joe Gildea | Opp Man of the Match | |
| Joe Gildea | Club Man of the Match |