Four-midable Sutton
Sutton United produced a ruthless seven-minute spell in the first half to set
themselves on course for a commanding 4-1 victory over Cradley Town at Coleshill
Road Stadium.
In a repeat of last season’s scoreline between the two sides, Sutton this time did the damage before the
interval, striking three times in quick succession, before Joe Gildea added a fourth early in the second
half to cap a dominant performance. The hosts were, however, denied their sixteenth clean sheet of the
season as a battling Cradley Town grabbed a late consolation through Corey-Rae Durant.
The opening half-hour was one of frustration for Sutton, particularly for in-form forward Dylan Green
who was twice denied an opener, first seeing an effort from just inside the area blocked by two
defenders and then drawing an excellent save from Cradley goalkeeper, James Crump.
However, Green was not to be denied a third time, and in the 31st minute Ollie Burgundy split the
Cradley defence with a precise through ball, allowing Green to run into the box, cut inside his marker
and clinically find the bottom corner for his fourth goal in three matches.
Sutton doubled their advantage just three minutes later, when a quickly taken free kick by the alert
Harry Howard was then spread wide by Lewis Hayden to Joel Newman. The youngster delivered a
superb cross that Joe Gildea powered past the diving Crump with a fantastic header.
The Greens were rampant and made it three in the 37th minute, as Burgundy’s long throw into the
penalty area was glanced in at the near post off the head of Matt Bishop for his third of the season.
Tom Massey almost added a fourth straight from the Cradley restart, when he won the ball off Liam
Prestidge at the edge of the penalty area, only to see his shot saved by the outstretched leg of Crump.
Gildea also came close before the break heading just over from a corner, and Lewis Hayden drove an
effort into the side netting when Burgundy spotted his run and delivered a perfectly weighted pass over
the defence.
Cradley, a side rebuilding and currently sitting in the bottom three, struggled to retain possession but
looked dangerous on the counterattack. Nevertheless, United defended resolutely and the visitors best
chance of the half fell to Charlie Bache, who was denied by a brilliant block from Sutton captain Massey.
Sutton continued to press their advantage after the restart and quickly extended their lead when Aidan
Mee made a driving run down the right wing, beating three defenders before flashing a cross across the
six-yard box. Ricardo Jarrett did enough to prevent Howard converting, before Gildea volleyed home the
rebound from eight yards for his second goal of the afternoon.
United made their substitutions early in the second half, with Harry Manton making a welcome return
from injury and Joe Delaney with his first appearance of the season. United remained firmly in control as
the chances continued. Delaney curled an effort from 18 yards that Crump did well to push away, and
Howard was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet, first sweeping a shot narrowly wide after being set up
in the box by Oli Jeeves, and later seeing a fierce strike from the right crash against the crossbar.
Cradley finished strongly and were rewarded with a consolation in the 90th minute. Cole Wells’ ball over
the Sutton defence caused confusion on the edge of the box, allowing substitute Durant to poke into an
empty net. Cole Wells was later sin-binned in stoppage time, leaving the visitors to finish with ten men.
Despite conceding late on, it was a dominant and assured display from Sutton, who climb back to the
top of the table, albeit with the sides below them holding games in hand.
Sutton’s attention now turns to cup action as they host Chelmsley Town on Tuesday 16th December in
the third round of the Midland Football League Cup, kick off 7.45pm.
Team: Sutton United
- Greg Lewis
- Aidan Mee
- Joel Newman – 54’ Harry Manton
- Matt Bishop – 63’ James Gallagher
- Lewis Wall
- Lewis Hayden
- Dylan Green – 54’ Joe Delaney
- Tom Massey (c) – 54’ Sam Jeeves
- Joe Gildea – 54’ Oli Jeeves
- Ollie Burgundy
- Harry Howard
Management/Assistants:
Richard Heath
Liam Burke
Aidan Jeynes
Marcus Davies
Evija Stauga
Derrick Culling
Team: Cradley Town
- James Crump
- Ricardo Jarrett – 74’ Harry Griffiths
- Fletcher Marsh
- Liam Prestidge – 63’ Corey-Rae Durant
- Lucas Muckley (c) – 66’ Thomas Baker
- Zak Denton
- Callum North – 74’ Tyler Maimo
- Jamie Underhill
- Kane Harrold – 46’ Jacob Cole
- Charlie Bache
- Cole Wells sb
Management/Assistants:
Matt Asto
Aaron Morris
Jason Faulkner
Andreas
Steve Riddick
Match Officials: James Scerri, Adam Gittens, Steven Chappell