18.01.25 Vs Saffron Dynamo

Glorious goal from Gildea

Sutton United striker Joe Gildea scored late on to seal victory over Saffron Dynamo at Coleshill Road Stadium.

Gildea’s 81st minute strike was a moment of quality in a tight mid-table clash played in freezing conditions.

Saffron made a bright start and came close to a goal in the opening minute, as Matt Bishop got the crucial touch for Sutton when he diverted a shot wide of the post.

Both Sam Jeeves and Harry Manton had to make important challenges to halt Saffron on the counterattack, as Sutton were guilty of giving the ball away and putting themselves under pressure. And it was Aidan Jeynes they had to thank on more than one occasion, as the goalkeeper stretched to tip behind a thumping 20-yard strike from Mackenzie Armstrong, before later denying Jamie Shilcock with a shot from the edge of the penalty box.

Saffron continued to look a threat in attack, as Reiss Hick and Jonny Grigg both made some timely interceptions to clear the danger for Sutton.

Despite some strong runs down the flanks by Zach Binns and Grigg, Sutton had found it difficult to break down a stubborn Saffron defence and it wasn’t until added time at the end of the first half that the Dynamo goalkeeper was called into action. Louis Harris made a strong save to deny Gildea from twenty yards, after some good work from Jack Skinner to pick out the striker with a square pass.

Sutton changed shape for the second half, moving to four at the back, and they came close to a goal in the 60th minute when Gildea threaded the ball through for Oli Jeeves, and his shot had the outrushing Harris beaten, but was cleared off the line by the covering defender, Ryan Butler.

And when Sef Semlali set up Gildea in the 63rd minute, his shot from 25 yards was destined for the back of the net before Harris did well to keep it out.

The visitors had fewer opportunities in front of goal in the second half, their best chance falling to their captain Jake Woolley, who headed a corner kick just wide at the near post.

United found a breakthrough in the 81st minute when Abdul Touaiti threaded a perfect pass into the penalty area, with Harry Howard shielding the ball on its way through to Gildea, who found the back of the net with a wonderful strike from eighteen yards that curled into the far corner.

It was a goal worthy of winning any match and Sutton made sure that they controlled the last ten minutes to secure a hard-earned clean sheet and all three points.

Up next for Sutton is Atherstone Town in the quarter finals of the League Cup at Coleshill Road Stadium on Wednesday 22nd January 7.45pm kick off.

Team: Sutton United
1. Aidan Jeynes
2. Jonny Grigg – 46’ Tion Pearce
3. Harry Manton – 46’ Callum Cook
4. Matt Bishop (c)
5. Reiss Hick – 46’ Oli Jeeves
6. Sam Jeeves
7. Harry Howard
8. Sef Semlali
9. Joe Gildea
10. Jack Skinner – 67’ Abdul Touaiti
11. Zach Binns
Unused sub: Tom Massey

Management/Assistants:
Richard Heath
Liam Burke
Adam Watson
Derek Culling
Amelia Small

Team: Saffron Dynamo
1. Louis Harris
2. Benjamin White
3. Thomas French
4. Jagraj Gill – 67’ Matthew Brown
5. Lee Cranstone
6. Ryan Butler
7. Taylor Shilcock – 65’ Sam Boyall
8. Jamie Starbuck – 78’ Joe Wynder
9. Jake Woolley (c) – 78’ Jurelle Junan Philip
10. Mackenzie Armstrong
11. Matty L’anson – 78’ Mason Williams

Management/Assistants:
Josh Pickering
Jacob Straw
James Simmons
Jack Faulkner

Match Officials: Kurt Bartlett, Robert Brown, Michael Westmacott