Debut Delight
Andrew Delaney22 Sep – 20:20
Sutton produced an historic win in their first ever showing in the FA Vase, with new signing Greg Lewis making the all-important save in the penalty shootout against Stafford Town.
It was a dream debut for goalkeeper Lewis, joining Sutton this week from Bolehall Swifts, as he denied fellow keeper Adam Jenkins, leaving Matt Bishop to bury the decisive spot kick and send Sutton into the draw for the next round.
The match had gone to a shootout after a 1-1 draw in normal time, with Hayden Froggatt’s dramatic late goal cancelling out Patrvk Mazurkiewicz’s second-half opener.
Stafford Town came into the match on an excellent run of results, currently sitting top of the NWCFL First Division South, having lost only one game this season and they were looking to reach the next round of the Vase for the first time in their history.
But with a constant rumble of thunder overhead, it was Sutton who produced the better chances in front of goal. Froggatt’s shot in the 15th minute had Jenkins diving to tip over his crossbar and Joe Gildea’s 20-yard effort was well saved, before his later volley was blocked in front of goal by a defender.
Stafford were frustrated by a well organised United, as Matthew Hearsey’s effort from the left was blocked by Bishop at the near post and James May’s shot from distance was comfortable for Lewis.
Sutton continued to have the better chances with Tom Massey doing well to win the ball high up the pitch before firing into the side netting, and George Ray coming close with a header from a corner kick that bounced wide of the target, as the match remained goalless at the break.
Sutton had a huge shout for a penalty at the start of the second half when Jonny Grigg was brought down by Jenkins as they both ran for the loose ball.
Then just after the hour mark, Town took the lead when Mazurkiewicz pressed a Sutton back pass, sliding to win the ball off Lewis and finish into an open net.
The goal was a big blow for Sutton and Stafford began to control the game, keeping possession, with very few chances created in front of goal for either side.
But Sutton never gave up, they only needed one good chance, and they took it, with a great move out from the back and down the right wing where Ronan Sheehan whipped a delivery across the face of goal for Froggatt to tap in from close range.
The contest headed straight to penalties, and it was Sutton who held their nerve to progress with five quality spot kicks and a super save by Lewis, and as the heavens opened, United went to celebrate their historic win.
After a busy August and September, Sutton now have a welcome break with their next match on Tuesday 1st October when they host Nuneaton Griff in the league.
Team: Sutton United
1. Greg Lewis
2. George Ray – 86’ Sef Semlali
3. Scott Hardy
4. Matt Bishop
5. Tion Pearce
6. Sam Jeeves – 83’ Kye Billingham-Belle
7. Jon Grigg – 66’ Ronan Sheehan
8. Abdul Touaiti – 70’ Jake Murrell
9. Joe Gildea
10. Tom Massey (c)
11. Hayden Froggatt
Penalties: Sutton United
Joe Gildea
Hayden Froggatt
Scott Hardy
Sef Semlali
Matt Bishop
Management/Assistants:
Richard Heath
Adam Watson
Bobby Brittan
Derek Culling
Team: Stafford Town
1. Adam Jenkins
2. Michael Williams
3. Scott Wilding
4. James Sutton – 46’ Jamie Fox
5. Matthew Dudley
6. Taylor Draper – 57’ Joseph Perry
7. James May – 64’ Jayden Hunter
8. Max Van Der Laan
9. Patryk Mazurkiewicz – 64’ Eshan Greer
10. Joshua Wilson – 83’ Daniel Kelly
11. Matthew Hearsey
Penalties: Stafford Town
Jayden Hunter
Matthew Hearsey
Adam Jenkins X
Joseph Perry
Management/Assistants:
Adam Wall
Bill Bickley
Angel Wareham
Match Officials: Max Underwood, Saeed Ahmed, Robert Brown
| Sutton United | Statistics | Stafford Town |
| 1 | Goals | 1 |
| 5 | Penalties | 3 |
| 10 | Attempts | 4 |
| 6 | Attempts on Target | 3 |
| 27% | Possession | 73% |
| 7 | Corners | 2 |
| 8 | Fouls Committed | 9 |
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| Player | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Opp MOTM |
| Joe Gildea | 14 | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| Hayden Froggatt | 15 | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Tom Massey | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Ronan Sheehan | 12 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| George Ray | 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Jack Whelan | 10 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Sam Jeeves | 12 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Jon Grigg | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Aaron Cameron | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Sef Semlali | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Abdul Touaiti | 15 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Kye Billingham-Belle | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Leyton Hines | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Tion Pearce | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Robbie Brown | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Connor Byrne | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Matt Bishop | 10 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Scott Hardy | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Jake Murrell | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sam Simmonds | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Louis Malin | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ben Friel | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Charlie Woodroofe | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gabe Newey | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aidan Jeynes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Charlie Busst | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chris Ward | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Greg Lewis | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Zach Binns | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 24 | 21 |