SUTTON OPEN NEW GROUND WITH IMPRESSIVE WIN
BY ANDREW DELANEY
It was the perfect start to life at their new stadium when Joe Gildea scored a late winner to send Sutton United 1st Team through to the next round of the Saturday Vase.
A bumper crowd turned out to witness the historic win as Sutton United Football Club moved the short distance from their home of over sixty years at the Queen Elizabeth II ground on Hollyfield Road, to their new 3G stadium on Coleshill Road.
Sutton welcomed MFL 3 side Balsall and Berkswell for an entertaining match under the flood lights. The early exchanges were closely contested with few clear-cut chances for either side. Jonny Grigg came closest to a goal for United with a curling shot from a short corner that had the Balsall keeper stretching to catch.
After half an hour, Sutton were given the chance to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty for handball. And when the usually reliable skipper, Josh Duggan, saw his spot kick saved by the keeper, the pressure was on for the home side to get that perfect win.
The breakthrough came just before half time, when Joe Delaney’s corner kick curled straight into the net, with it looking to have crossed the line before the Balsall defender helped it in.
United had chances to extend their lead early in the second half, as Tom Massey’s effort was pushed behind and Sef Semlali headed a corner onto the woodwork.
Balsall and Berkswell then threatened to spoil the party when they equalised in the 78th minute with a very good move down their left and a clever pass in the box for their number 10 to find the net from six yards.
But fortune was favouring Sutton when they secured the win in the 87th minute as Gildea’s header towards an open goal was ruled to have crossed the goal line before the keeper could recover to clear. It was enough to send Sutton through to the next round of the cup and allow celebrations to begin in the new club house.
Sutton return to league action next weekend with a tough away trip to Knowle on a 2pm kick off.
| Sutton United | Statistics | Balsall and Berkswell |
| 2 | Goals | 1 |
| 14 | Attempts | 5 |
| 10 | Attempts on Target | 3 |
| 9 | Corners | 3 |
| 11 | Fouls Committed | 16 |
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |