Two goals take Sutton into semi-finals
Sutton United are into the League Cup semi-finals after an impressive 2-0 win against MFL Premier side Atherstone Town at Coleshill Road Stadium.
This was the fifth time that Sutton have beaten higher opposition in their cup runs this season and they fully deserved their win with a fantastic team performance. Hayden Froggatt and George Ray returned to the squad, and with a change in formation, Sutton looked comfortable on the ball, defended superbly and took their chances in front of goal.
Atherstone are currently sitting fifth in the MFL Premier, and they looked strong in possession, posing a threat in the early stages, but Sutton were brilliant off the ball and worked extremely hard in defence with Matt Bishop and Ray working well together at the centre back roles. It meant that goalkeeper, Aiden Jeynes didn’t have a shot to save in the first half, and the closest the Adders did come were efforts from Jacob Shilton and Ryan Harkin that went wide of the target.
Sutton were looking to capitalise on the counterattack and Joe Gildea had a great chance on the half hour mark, when he picked the ball up in a central position and his low shot from 25 yards skimmed just wide of the post, and not long after, Bishop’s header from a Sam Jeeves free kick also looped wide of the target.
Neither team had managed a shot on target until Sutton took the lead in added time at the end of the first half. Bishop picked the ball up in a central position and played it out wide to Zach Binns on the left. The centre half then continued his run and received the ball back, before checking onto his right foot at the byline and curling the ball fantastically into the far corner of the net.
Sutton doubled their lead early in the second half with Bishop involved once more. His perfect cross-field pass found Hayden Froggatt on the left wing, who cleverly turned his defender before whipping across an excellent delivery for Oli Jeeves to finish into the roof of the net from six yards.
Sutton have been guilty of letting their lead slip in recent matches, but today they worked incredibly hard as a unit to stay ahead and most importantly to keep a clean sheet.
Many of the Adders attacks came down their left flank and Tion Peace had an excellent game for Sutton at right back, supported by Abdul Touaiti who worked hard from holding midfield. When the visitors did work the ball into the penalty box in the 60th minute, Sam Jeeves was there to make a fantastic challenge to deny Ryan Quinn a shot at goal.
Another cross from the left found Jack Edwards in front of goal for Atherstone, but he couldn’t connect cleanly with his shot whilst under the challenge from the excellent Binns, and Jeynes was able to comfortably gather.
United didn’t have too many chances in front of goal this half but came close to a third two minutes from time, when Harry Howard and Froggatt linked up well before the Atherstone goalkeeper, Finley Osborn, made an excellent save with his legs to deny Froggatt.
Atherstone continued to press for a goal and in added time Jeynes got an important touch on a cross from the left to prevent the ball reaching Ryan Harkin, who was free at the back post.
The win sends Sutton into the semi finals of the League Cup, one match away from a visit to the Bescot Stadium. But first they must turn their attention back to the league with a visit to Heather St. John’s on Saturday 25th January, 3pm kick off.
Team: Sutton United
1. Aidan Jeynes
2. Tion Pearce – 75’ Jonny Grigg
3. Zach Binns
4. Matt Bishop
5. George Ray
6. Sam Jeeves – 66’ Sam Simmonds
7. Abdul Touaiti
8. Sef Semlali – 85’ Reiss Hick
9. Hayden Froggatt
10. Joe Gildea – 90+3’ Callum Cook
11. Oli Jeeves – 79’ Harry Howard
Management/Assistants:
Richard Heath
Liam Burke
Adam Watson
Chris Bratt Rose
Bobby Brittan
Derek Culling,
Amelia Small
Team: Atherstone Town
1. Finley Osborn
2. Jack Wells – 59’ Harvey Rhoades
3. Joshua Steele
4. Lewis Noon (c) – 79’ George Steele
5. Niall Rowe
6. Jacob Shilton
7. Toby Nicoll – 46’ Thomas Healy
8. Tom Smith
9. Ryan Harkin
10. Mitchell Woakes – 46’ Ryan Quinn
11. Jack Edwards
Sub unused: Connor Gudger
Management/Assistants:
Mitch Thomson
Nathan Haines
Alex Naughton
Richard Blythe
Andy Needham
Ian Nichol
Match Officials: Henry Gregory, Lois Jefferies, David Badger