First Half Blows Prove Costly
Sutton United suffered only their second home defeat of the season as a well-organised and clinical Birstall United secured a two-goal victory at Coleshill Road Stadium.
The win completed the league double for Birstall, after they won by the same scoreline back in October. First-half goals from Cain Beckett and captain Reece Lefley proved decisive on a frustrating afternoon for the hosts.
Sutton made four changes to their starting line-up, with Tion Pearce returning to the squad following suspension and a start for top goal scorer Joe Gildea following his 150th appearance for the Greens last time out.
Sutton enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening stages, however, they struggled to find a way through a disciplined Birstall side who worked tirelessly throughout and looked sharper and more determined from the outset.
The visitors arrived in festive spirit, backed by a large and vocal travelling support in fancy dress, and they were soon celebrating an early breakthrough. In only the 9th minute, Beckett pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the box and unleashed a tremendous strike into the top corner to give Birstall the lead.
Birstall doubled their advantage before the break after pressing high and forcing an error at the back from Sutton. Lefley was quick to chase down, pinching the ball off the Sutton keeper and calmly rolling into an empty net.
Defensively the visitors remained solid, limiting Sutton to long-range efforts, with Ollie Burgundy and Lewis Hayden both trying their luck from distance.
Sutton introduced Harry Howard, Sam Jeeves and Oli Jeeves at the start of the second half in an attempt to change momentum, but Birstall continued to look comfortable and arguably the more dangerous side.
Ryan Seal and Marley Spencer both went close on the counterattack, their efforts skimming just wide of the far post. The visitors then thought they had scored again when Owen Dewing headed in from a set piece, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Despite their possession, Sutton never truly looked like scoring. Their best opportunity came when Matt Bishop drove a ball into the box from distance, but a stretching Sam Jeeves could only divert it wide. It summed up a difficult afternoon for the hosts against a well-drilled Birstall United.
Sutton won’t have long to dwell on the defeat, however, as they return to action on Monday 22 December with another home fixture, this time in the Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup against Kenilworth Wardens, kick off at 7.45pm, with a quick opportunity to get back to winning ways.
Team: Sutton United
1. Greg Lewis
2. Aidan Mee
3. James Gallagher – 46’ Sam Jeeves
4. Matt Bishop
5. Lewis Wall
6. Lewis Hayden – 71’ Joel Newman
7. Dylan Green – 46’ Harry Howard
8. Tom Massey (c) – 51’ Tion Pearce
9. Joe Gildea
10. Ollie Burgundy – 46’ Oli Jeeves
11. Joe Delaney
Management/Assistants:
Richard Heath
Liam Burke
Aidan Jeynes
Marcus Davies
Evija Stauga
Derek Culling
Team: Birstall United Social
1. Charlie Doherty
2. Andres Articolo
3. Owen Dewing
4. Reece Lefley (c)
5. Fraser Hawes
6. Dominic Connor-Watts
7. Sam Burton – 90+3’ Aidan Neal
8. Ryan Seal – 74’ Nicholas Reeves
10. Charlie Young
16. Cain Beckett – Billy Tebbatt
11. Marley Spencer
Management/Assistants:
Paul Pallett
James Dodd
Tom Burton
Steve Toon
Arjun Hundal
Sean Phillips
Reif Armstrong
Match Officials: Joseph Rowley, Ryan Byrne, Michael Mulryan
| Sutton United | Statistics | Birstall United |
| 0 | Goals | 2 |
| 6 | Attempts | 7 |
| 0 | Attempts on Target | 2 |
| 72% | Possession | 28% |
| 5 | Corners | 6 |
| 7 | Fouls Committed | 8 |
| 2 | Yellow Cards | 0 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| Sam Jeeves | Club Man of the Match |