Sutton suffer defeat at St. John’s
Andrew Delaney
Sutton’s first away game of the season ends in heavy defeat as Kyle Jardine scores a first-half hat-trick for Heather St. John’s.
The home side stunned Sutton with a blistering start, striking the crossbar twice in the opening minute and it wasn’t long before they capitalised on their dominance, when Jardine curled a fantastic strike over keeper Reiss Wagstaff, to give the hosts the lead.
The St. John’s striker soon had a second when he picked up a short corner and was allowed to run inside and fire home a right-footed strike through a static United defense.
Jardine completed his hat-trick in the 39th minute when he followed in after Wagstaff had initially saved his spot kick, after Kaine Donalds late challenge on Jack Coles.
Sutton were barely out of their own half in the first forty-five minutes, with a Leyton Hines header in the 34th minute being their only attempt on goal.
Nevertheless, just like their last match, Sutton had a much improved second half. Jonny Grigg and Sef Semlali looked strong in midfield and United managed to pull a goal back in the 70th minute when Tom Massey’s excellent through pass finally opened up the Heather defense, for Joe Gildea to sweep home.
But the hosts killed off any hopes of a Sutton comeback with a fourth goal in the 77th minute: a ball over the top had substitute Jack Henchcliffe reacting first to score passed the outrushing Wagstaff.
Sutton don’t have to wait long for the chance to get back to winning ways, as they host Ingles at Coleshill Road on Tuesday 15th August at 7.45pm. Both teams have started the season with one win, one draw and one loss so this should be an interesting one.
Team: Heather St. Johns
1. George Baker
2. Kai Thomas
3. Kian Taylor – 82’ Josh Warren
4. Jacob Sturgess
5. Jake McIntosh (c)
6. Tommy Read
7. George Ludlam – 66’ Jack Henchcliffe
8. Lewis Hopewell – 68’ Ryan Dowling
9. Kyle Jardine
10. Tom Managan
11. Jack Coles – 88’ William Fox
Management/Assistants:
Neil Costello
Shaun Hession
Paul Griebel
Stuart Beniston
J. Liquarish
M. Dutton
Team: Sutton United
1. Reiss Wagstaff (c)
2. Tom Cullen
3. Lewis James – 64’ Remi Bell
4. Kaine Donald
5. Tion Pearce-Copeland
6. Kye Billingham-Belle – 45’ Jonny Grigg
7. Leyton Hines – 64’ Ryan Delport
8. Lewan Tobin – 45’ Sef Semlali
9. Joe Gildea
10. Tom Massey – 78’ Brad Gregory
11. Joe Delaney
Management/Assistants:
Richard Heath
Matt Gough
Ryan Lugg
Match Officials: James Henderson, Stewart Walker, Paul Strumidlo
| Heather St Johns | Statistics | Sutton United |
| 4 | Goals | 1 |
| 13 | Attempts | 4 |
| 7 | Attempts on Target | 1 |
| 64% | Possession | 36% |
| 3 | Corners | 4 |
| 8 | Fouls Committed | 5 |
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| Kyle Jardine | Man of the Match | Reiss Wagstaff |
| Appearances | |
| Tom Massey | 3 |
| Tion Pearce-Copeland | 3 |
| Yousef Semlali | 3 |
| Joe Delaney | 3 |
| Reiss Wagstaff | 3 |
| Joe Gildea | 3 |
| Jon Grigg | 3 |
| Kaine Donald | 3 |
| Kye Billingham-Belle | 3 |
| Lewis James | 3 |
| Leyton Hines | 3 |
| Brad Gregory | 3 |
| Thomas Cullen | 2 |
| Jake Murrell | 2 |
| Lewan Tobin | 2 |
| Remi Bell | 1 |
| Harrison Coe | 1 |
| Kieran McConville | 1 |
| Ryan Delport | 1 |
| Will Jones | 1 |
| Player | Goal | Assist | Grand Total |
| Leyton Hines | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Joe Gildea | 3 | 3 | |
| Joe Delaney | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Tom Massey | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Jon Grigg | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Thomas Cullen | 1 | 1 | |
| Kaine Donald | 1 | 1 | |
| Lewan Tobin | 1 | 1 | |
| Grand Total | 10 | 8 | 18 |