Sutton snatch late equaliser
Andrew Delaney24 Sep 2023 – 18:26SHARE
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Matt Bishop grabbed a point for Sutton United with a dramatic injury-time equaliser against OJM Black Country in the MFL 1.
After a goalless first half, OJM had taken the lead through substitute Kevin Buxton’s well-taken shot into the far corner in the 72nd minute.
The home side looked to be heading to their second victory of the season over United until Ryan Delport’s perfect delivery found Bishop at the back post to head home his first goal of the campaign with Sutton’s First Team.
Delport was one of three Under 21’s in the squad for Sutton, that included an impressive debut appearance from Louis Malin.
The first half was tight with a few opportunities created for both sides. For Sutton, Kieron McConville’s shot in the 16th minute looked to be heading into an open goal until OJM’s Stefan Cameron sprinted back to scoop the ball off the line ahead of Joe Gildea.
The home side had a scrambled goal disallowed for off-side before Liam Spink’s free kick had Reiss Wagstaff diving to tip behind, and just before the break when Reece Morris found himself free in front of goal his final shot was comfortable for Wagstaff to gather.
OJM came out with purpose in the second half with Louis Conway’s effort from the left skimming wide of the far post and a counterattack in the 50th minute drew a crucial challenge from Sutton defender Lewis James on Brad Lawley.
Nevertheless, the home side took a deserved lead in the 72nd minute when Kofi Williams crossed the ball for Buxton on the right to cut inside and find the net with his left foot.
Shane Smith, returning from injury, came on for Sutton in the 74th minute and his energy up front began to cause problems for OJM. His shot from the left beat the keeper before it was cleared off the line by Adam Callinswood, and in the closing stages he beat his defender to shoot from the edge of the box and draw a strong save from Tom Clapp before the ball was cleared.
As the match went into added time, OJM were reduced to ten men when Steven Leslie was dismissed, and Sutton capitalised with a 93rd minute goal, when Delport’s corner kick was swung across to the back post for Bishop to head in the equaliser and send United home with an important point on the road.
Next up for Sutton is an enticing local derby as they play host to Paget Rangers at Coleshill Road on Saturday 30th September.
Team: OJM Black Country
1. Tom Clapp
2. Josh Mussell
3. Louis Conway
4. Liam Spink
5. Stefan Cameron
6. Calum Nimmo (c)
7. Brad Lawley – 75’ Adam Callinswood
8. Reece Morris
9. Casey Collins – 64’ Kevin Buxton
10. Taylor Homer – 81’ Stefan Leslie
11. Dylan Green – 56’ Kofi Williams
Substitutes unused: Harley Baker
Management/Assistants:
Adam Younis
Marko Adaggio
David Hallam
Team: Sutton United
1. Reiss Wagstaff (c)
2. Jake Murrell
3. Will Buchanan – 74’ Lewan Tobin
4. Matt Bishop
5. Lewis James
6. Kye Billingham-Belle
7. Jonny Grigg – 83’ Louis Malin
8. Tom Masey
9. Kieron McConville – 74’ Shane Smith
10. Joe Gildea
11. Ethan Hanks – 83’ Ryan Delport
Substitutes unused: James Stretton
Management/Assistants:
Richard Heath
Chris Bratt-Rose
Ryan Lugg
Amelia Small
Match Officials: Samuel Dods, Simon Gudger, Benjamin Gudger
| OJM Black Country | Statistics | Sutton United |
| 1 | Goals | 1 |
| 10 | Attempts | 7 |
| 6 | Attempts on Target | 7 |
| 59% | Possession | 41% |
| 6 | Corners | 3 |
| 8 | Fouls Committed | 8 |
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
| 1 | Red Cards | 0 |
| Player | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Opp MOTM |
| Joe Gildea | 10 | 7 | 1 | 3 |
| Leyton Hines | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Sam Price | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Tom Massey | 10 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Sef Semlali | 10 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Joe Delaney | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Jon Grigg | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Brad Gregory | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Matt Bishop | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Thomas Cullen | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Kieran McConville | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Kaine Donald | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Lewan Tobin | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Ryan Delport | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Will Buchanan | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Kye Billingham-Belle | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Reiss Wagstaff | 11 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Lewis James | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tion Pearce-Copeland | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Harrison Coe | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jake Murrell | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mark Moore | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Will Jones | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ethan Hanks | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Remi Bell | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sam Simmonds | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Daniel Cooper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Louis Malin | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Matt Hurrell | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Shane Smith | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 20 | 17 |