ALL LOST AT ALCESTER

BY ANDREW DELANEY

Goals alluded Sutton for the first time in the league this season as they fell to two set pieces away at Alcester.

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Sutton had their chances, particularly in a dominant first half. Jonny Grigg had the first sight of goal in the opening minute, closely followed by an effort from Joe Gildea, yet both were comfortable saves for the Alcester keeper, Tom Walker.

When Joe Delaney broke through the centre in the 32nd minute, Walker was off his line to block the shot, and shortly after, when Sef Semlali’s corner kick was pushed out by Walker, Aaron Evans volleyed back over the cross bar.

Then five minutes before the break, Sutton missed their opportunity to take the lead when Josh Duggan struck the post from the penalty spot after a late challenge on Leyton Hines. The team responded well to finish the half in the ascendancy, with Jake Murrell cutting inside from the left to send an effort over the cross bar and in the final minute of the half, Hines rolled in Gildea whose effort from the right also missed the target.

Alcester must have been counting their luck to be going into the break on level terms. They had seen only one effort from distance at goal, that Elliot Smail had dealt with comfortably. Connor Perry-Holmes was very lucky to stay on the pitch after a nasty tackle on Grigg in the 19th minute, and Jake Wicketts had received a sinbin a couple of minutes before half time.

Nevertheless, ten minutes into the restart, Alcester took the lead when Daniel Sutton headed in a corner kick at the back post and the match changed; Alcester were buoyed up with the goal and grew in confidence, whilst Sutton struggled to lift themselves and opportunities fell away.

The home side frustrated Sutton throughout the second half and worked hard to keep a clean sheet, eventually making sure of the win when James Ward headed in a free-kick two minutes from time.

With a busy end to the season, Sutton go again on Tuesday when they make the trip to Earlswood Town for a 6.30pm kick off.

Team: Alcester
1. Tom Walker
2. Joe Nokes
3. Aaron Xavier
4. Daniel Sutton
5. Tristan Roberts
6. Connor Perry-Holmes
7. Luke Williams
8. Jake Wicketts – Owen Fisher 79’
9. James Ward
10. Ricardo Richards (c) – Dominic Strevens 70’
11. Jack Cole

Management/Assistants:
Aaron Blackwood
Colin Tomlinson
Tom Davies

Team: Sutton United
1. Elliott Smail
2. Aaron Evans – Will Jones 63’
3. Jake Murrell – Finlay Ballantyne 67’
4. Brad Gregory
5. Jonny Grigg
6. Josh Duggan (c)
7. Leyton Hines – Matt Hurrell 83’
8. Sef Semlali – Tom Massey 69’
9. Freddie Cockerell – Remi Bell 60’
10. Joe Gildea
11. Joe Delaney

Management/Assistants:
Richard Heath
Liam Burke
Matt Gough
Louis Singh

Match Officials: Russell Thomas, Lloyd Beecham, Matthew Davies

Alcester	Statistics	Sutton United
2	Goals	0
10	Attempts	10
6	Attempts on Target	4
31%	Possession	69%
3	Corners	5
9	Fouls Committed	11
2	Yellow Cards	0
0	Red Cards	0