Sutton lose in Leicester

Charlie Young scored two wonder strikes for Birstall to condemn Sutton United to their tenth league defeat on the road this season.

The two goals were moments of individual magic in an otherwise predominantly dull match, where chances were few and far between for both sides.

Sutton brought Harry Howard, Leyton Hines, Josh Rudge and Ryan Delport into their starting line-up, with the latter and Matt Hurrell brought into the squad for their first appearances of the season.

Birstall were ahead within the opening three minutes when their free kick was cleared away by Sutton, only for the unmarked Young to unleash a fantastic volley that thundered in off the post from 25 yards.

In a closely fought first half, the home side looked to attack from the flanks with some dangerous crosses in the early stages, but Sutton’s centre backs, Matt Bishop and Tion Pearce were equal to the challenge.

However, with very few opportunities created by either side, it was the 38th minute before the next shot on goal, when a Nick Reeves effort from the right of goal had Greg Lewis saving at his near post for Sutton.

United then had their first positive break on goal, but as Hayden Froggatt sprinted into the penalty area, he couldn’t quite connect with the cross from Rudge and the chance fell away.

Birstall countered with Ryan Seal striking an effort from outside the box that saw Lewis react superbly to tip over his cross bar.

Reeves had another chance for Birstall at the start of the second half but fired his effort wide of the post from the edge of the penalty box. Sutton responded with a half volley from Froggatt that goalkeeper Charlie Doherty did well to hold.

Then, when Seal ran in behind Sutton’s back line in the 60th minute, it was substitute, Reiss Hick, who got back to make the challenge for Sutton and deny the Birstall player a shot at goal at the edge of the penalty box.
The hosts did, however, increase their lead five minutes later, with another amazing strike by Young that he curled inside the net from outside the penalty box.

Sutton continued to struggle in front of goal and as the rain came lashing down, it was the captain, Tom Massey who came closest with an effort from the right of goal that had Doherty saving at his near post.

Sutton return home on Saturday 29th March for the league fixture against Kirby Muxloe, kick-off 3pm.

Team: Birstall United
1. Charlie Doherty
2. Billy Tebbatt
4. Reece Lefley (c)
6. Dom Watts
7. Jackson Parkin – 73’ Arlie Greet
8. Ryan Seal
9. Nick Reeves – 82’ Arjun Hundal
10. Charlie Young
11. Sam Burton
17. Karl Whymark
18. Aaron Preston
Unused sub: Paul Pallett, Sean Phillips,
Reif Armstrong

Management/Assistants:
Paul Pallett
Sean Phillips
Steve Toon
Tom Burton
Dylan Patel
Pwen Dewing

Team: Sutton United
1. Greg Lewis
2. Jonny Grigg
3. Ryan Delport
4. Matt Bishop
5. Tion Pearce – 62’ Sef Semlali
6. Sam Jeeves
7. Leyton Hines – 46’ Reiss Hick
8. Tom Massey
9. Hayden Froggatt – 70’ Matt Hurrell
10. Harry Howard – 54’ Oli Jeeves
11. Josh Rudge – 70’ Sam Simmonds

Management/Assistants:
Richard Heath
Liam Burke
Adam Watson
Chris Bratt-Rose
Ameila Small

Match Officials: Neil Love, Paul Kiely, Lewis Woollett