Jeeves with the Aid of Mee
Sutton United delivered a statement performance on the road with two second half goals to beat high-flying Heather St. John’s in a thrilling encounter at St. John’s Park.
Goals from Oli Jeeves and Aidan Mee secured the points, as Sutton made it three consecutive away wins to remain on top spot in the table after a gruelling spell of fourteen league matches in seven weeks.
In front of an expectant crowd, the match got off to a frenetic start with both sides showing quality in possession and attacking intent. Heather, sitting fourth in the table, nearly struck within seconds as Sam Grouse volleyed over the bar straight from the kick-off – a sign of the open and entertaining game to follow.
Sutton responded quickly and on five minutes, debutant Joel Newman linked up superbly with fellow new signing James Spruce down the left. Their interplay created a chance for Ollie Burgundy inside the box, and he lifted his shot narrowly over the bar.
The Greens began to find rhythm, and only a stretching block at the near post from Heather’s Lewis Hopewell denied Joe Gildea after another promising move. Spruce then came close himself, drawing a full stretch save from goalkeeper Matthew White, with a super effort from the edge of the box.
In an end-to-end opening ten minutes, Heather were also looking a threat going forward as Grouse again found himself in a dangerous position at the back post but was denied by a brave block from Mee. It wasn’t long before Sutton’s full back then had to show his speed to dispossess Grouse who had beaten the offside surging into the penalty box. And from the resulting corner, Jack Hession powered a header over from close range for the hosts.
The Saints were looking dangerous in the final third and Nathan McGarrity continued to impress with a teasing delivery in the 10th minute that Grouse fired narrowly over.
As the game settled, the opportunities reduced, until Heather finished the first half strongly. Gabe Newey was called into action twice to deny both Jack Robinson and McGarrity, while Hession drove into the area only to blast just over. And on the stroke of half time, McGarrity again went close with a low drive that crept wide of the far post.
But it was Sutton who came out brighter after the break, and it took just five minutes for the deadlock to be broken. Burgundy’s long throw caused problems in the box, taking a touch off Hession before falling perfectly for Jeeves to head home his fifth goal of the season.
United nearly doubled their lead on 65 minutes when Lewis Hayden’s shot was blocked in front of goal. Burgundy immediately won the ball back and unleashed a fierce strike from the left of goal that White did brilliantly to tip over.
Oli Jeeves almost added another, dragging an effort just wide after a beautiful through ball from Burgundy, who was continually urging Sutton forward. Fresh legs helped United maintain their intensity, as substitute Leyton Hines found space on the right to set up Hayden, who then dragged his shot wide of the upright.
Sutton’s persistence paid off ten minutes from time when defender Mee capped a memorable afternoon by scoring his first senior goal in style. On one of his positive runs forward, the youngster collected the ball on the left from Dylan Green, to surge through the Heather defenders, before slotting coolly past White to give United some breathing space.
And they needed it, as Heather grabbed a late lifeline in stoppage time when Grouse converted a penalty, after the ball struck Matt Bishop’s arm as he made an excellent sliding challenge in the box. The spot kick ensured a nervy final couple of minutes, but Sutton held firm to seal a deserved victory.
It was as superb team performance from United against very strong opposition, particularly in the second half where their defensive organisation and attacking threat shone. Tom Massey was a standout in midfield, dictating play with composure, while the return of Joel Newman, a product of Sutton’s junior system, added further strength to the side.
Sutton now take a break from league action as they host Nuneaton Griff in the Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup on Saturday 27th September, kick off 3pm at Coleshill Road Stadium.
Match Officials: Ali Cera, Stewart Walker, Dave Clarke
Team: Heather St. John’s
1. Matthew White
2. Jake Conkay (c) – 82’ Kye Wooldridge
3. Harry Stewart
4. Josh Gunn – 82’ Jack Blanksby
5. Lewis Hopewell
6. Jack Hession
7. Kian Taylor
8. Jack Gunn
9. Nathan McGarrity
10. Sam Grouse
11. Jack Robinson
Sub Unused: Haydn Brown, Kian Johnson,
Alfie Ludlam
Management/Assistants:
Neil Costello
Shaun Hession
Paul Griebel
Carl Liddington
Zoe Price
Team: Sutton United
1. Gabe Newey
2. Aidan Mee
3. Joel Newman
4. Matt Bishop
5. Lewis Wall
6. Lewis Hayden
7. Ollie Burgundy – 93’ Tion Pearce
8. Tom Massey (c)
9. Oli Jeeves – 74’ Sam Jeeves
10. Joe Gildea – 59’ Leyton Hines
11. James Spruce – 67’ Dylan Green
Sub Unused: James Gallagher
Management/Assistants:
Richard Heath
Liam Burke
Aidan Jeyne
Marcus Davies
Derek Culling
| Heather St. John’s | Statistics | Sutton United |
| 1 | Goals | 2 |
| 10 | Attempts | 12 |
| 4 | Attempts on Target | 8 |
| 51% | Possession | 49% |
| 3 | Corners | 8 |
| 6 | Fouls Committed | 13 |
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| Sam Grouse | Opp Man of the Match | James Spruce |
| Club Man of the Match | Tom Massey |