Bishop Answers Suttons’ Prayers!
Matt Bishop netted his first goal of the season to book a place for Sutton United in the second round of the Midweek Floodlit Challenge Cup.
The defender’s late goal proved to be the difference in a hard-fought match against fellow MFL One side Coventry Copsewood.
Having convincingly beaten the same opponents 5-0 just two weeks earlier, United travelled to the Copsewood Community Sports and Social Club to face a side much changed and under new management. And the changes showed, as the hosts put in a resolute and competitive performance that pushed Sutton all the way.
For Sutton, sporting their new away kit, there were returns to the squad for Jon Grigg, James Gallagher, Reiss Hick and goalkeeper Ben Harrison, who has now maintained his perfect clean sheet record across his three appearances this season.
In a tight first half with limited clear-cut chances, Sutton edged possession but failed to test Copsewood goalkeeper Olly Manuel. Oli Jeeves had two efforts that proved comfortable for Manuel, and Dylan Green saw a shot sail over after cutting in from the left.
At the other end, Coventry looked sharp, with winger Patrick McGory proving a constant menace down the left. His dangerous low cross in the 42nd minute nearly found Rio Donaldson arriving at the back post, but Joel Newman did exceptionally well to read the danger and clear for Sutton. From the resulting corner, Ethan Baynham headed goalwards with Harrison reacting brilliantly to tip over his crossbar, and ensure the teams went into the break on level terms.
The second half continued to be closely contested, and the result could have gone either way. McGory again tested Sutton’s defence early on, only to be denied by a fantastic block from Bishop, who was outstanding throughout.
Midway through the half Lewis Wall went close with a header from a Sam Jeeves free kick, while James Spruce curled a fine effort from 22 yards that was inches wide of the post.
The decisive moment came in the 82nd minute, when Ollie Burgundy delivered a superb corner to the back post and when Wall’s header was cleared off the line, the rebound eventually fell to Bishop, who kept his cool to rifle home a powerful finish though a crowded penalty box and give United the lead.
The Greens nearly doubled their advantage moments later, when a slick move saw Oli Jeeves tee up Wall on the edge of the area, but Baynham did brilliantly to make the challenge and deny the Sutton captain a shot at goal.
Copsewood piled on the pressure late on with Sutton having to dig deep. McGory came closest for the hosts, as he struck the post from a Harvey Billing cross, and then deep into stoppage time, Sutton’s man-of-the-match, Sam Jeeves was back defending with a fantastic headed clearance to deny Billing.
United held firm to secure the win and book their place in the next round.
It’s more cup action for Sutton next Saturday when they travel to Whitnash Town, in round two of the Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup with an early kick off at 2.15pm.
Team: Coventry Copsewood
1. Olly Manuel
2. Rio Donaldson – 46’ Alex Barnett
3. Connal O’Dwyer – 79’ Alfie Birta
4. Alfie Smith
5. Ethan Baynham
6. Joe Mills (c)
7. Patrick McGrory
8. Taylor Blyth – 67’ Harvey Billing
9. Luke Curtlin – 72’ Jevon Fraser
10. Will Boden
11. George Steele – 79’ Sam Ellis
Management/Assistants:
Stu Ryan
Ryan Baldwin
Danny Bull
Mark Kingham
Team: Sutton United
1. Ben Harrison
2. Jonny Grigg – 60’ Tom Massey
3. Joel Newman
4. Matt Bishop
5. James Gallagher
6. Lewis Wall
7. James Spruce – 78’ Reiss Hick
8. Sam Jeeves
9. Joe Gildea – 60’ Ollie Burgundy
10. Oli Jeeves – 86’ Harry Manton
11. Dylan Green – 60’ Harry Howard
Management/Assistants:
Richard Heath
Liam Burke
Aidan Jeynes
Marcus Davies
Derek Culling
| Coventry Copsewood | Statistics | Sutton United |
| 0 | Goals | 1 |
| 7 | Attempts | 8 |
| 3 | Attempts on Target | 5 |
| 40% | Possession | 60% |
| 5 | Corners | 3 |
| 11 | Fouls Committed | 6 |
| 2 | Yellow Cards | 0 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| Club Man of the Match | Sam Jeeves |