Gabe of Thrones – Newey Rules!
Gabe Newey stole the show with a shootout masterclass as Sutton United edged
passed Nuneaton Griff in the Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup.
Sutton continued their fine form with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over last year’s finalists
Nuneaton Griff in the first round of the Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup, after hitting the woodwork on
four occasions in a frustrating goalless draw at Coleshill Road.
The hero of the day was goalkeeper Newey, who made three outstanding saves in the shootout to
secure Sutton’s place in the next round. The result rounds off a superb September for United, who
remained unbeaten across all competitions with six wins and a draw.
Sutton made five changes to the starting line-up, handing home debuts to Joel Newman and James
Spruce, and the hosts delivered a resilient performance against tough opposition in Nuneaton Griff.
The first half saw the visitors enjoying the better of the early chances. In just the second minute, Leo
Kuliqi intercepted in midfield to surge forward before unleashing a powerful shot from distance that
Newey did well to control. Griff continued to press high, and when they overturned possession in the
final third, it was Sutton captain Matt Bishop who made the crucial block to deny Kenson Keitatotse
inside the box.
Kuliqi remained a threat for the visitors and went close again on 18 minutes, volleying just wide of the
far post from close range.
Sutton were dominant in possession but were finding it difficult to carve a way through a stubborn
Nuneaton side. Their best chance of the half came when Oli Jeeves rounded the keeper after a slick
through ball from Spruce, only to see his shot clip the post from a tight angle.
Sutton came out strongly after the break and went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock. Skipper
Bishop struck the crossbar with a thundering left-footed effort that bounced on the line before being
cleared. The woodwork denied Sutton again moments later, when Oli Jeeves’ header from a Sam Jeeves
free kick rattled the frame, with Spruce’s follow-up hitting the post once more.
Griff responded on 59 minutes, but Newey was equal to a low drive from Luke Campion, getting down
smartly to push it away.
A full sweep of five substitutions on the hour from Sutton injected fresh energy into the side. However,
Griff stood firm, with their defensive organisation frustrating the home side despite increasing pressure.
Ollie Burgundy had two late chances to snatch victory. First, he glanced a header just wide from a
teasing Harry Howard cross, before forcing a fine save from Griff goalkeeper Ashton Edwards, with a
curling 23-yard free kick.
In the dying moments, it was Sutton’s turn to defend, and Lewis Wall produced an excellent tackle
inside his own box to deny Griff substitute, Beau Friel a clean run at goal.
With the match finishing goalless, it headed straight to penalties. Both keepers saved the first spot kicks,
and then Ollie Burgundy, Lewis Hayden and Lewis Wall all scored for Sutton. Newey saved another
before Jacob Dodds and Beau Friel netted for Griff. Newey then capped a brilliant performance with a
third penalty save, denying the Griff captain and sending Sutton through with a 3-2 shootout win.
Sutton return to league action on Saturday 4th October, making the trip to Lutterworth Athletic for their
first meeting of the season, with kick off at 3pm.
Team: Sutton United
- Gabe Newey
- Aidan Mee
- Joel Newman
- Matt Bishop (c)
- James Gallagher – 60’ Lewis Wall
- Jon Grigg – 60’ Tom Massey
- James Spruce
- Sam Jeeves – 60’ Lewis Hayden
- Oli Jeeves – 60’ Joe Gildea
- Harry Howard
- Dylan Green – 60’ Ollie Burgundy
Management/Assistants:
Richard Heath
Liam Burke
Aidan Jeynes
Marcus Davies
Evija Stauga
Derek Culling
Team: Nuneaton Griff
- Ashton Edwards
- Ahmed Salum
- Ryan Oka-Zeh
- Joshua Harvey – 66’ Beau Friel
- Luke Wilson (c)
- Archie Bates
- Luke Campion – 80’ Zack Rowley
- Leodrin Kuliqi
- Dylan Mills – 51’ Jacob Dumbleton
- Owen Wassall – 86’ Ruben Wilson
- Kenson Keitatotse
Sub Unused: Jacob Dodds
Management/Assistants:
Arron Cheshire
Corey Williams
Joe Woodward
Pete Campion
Match Officials: Darren Dickson, Alfie Sawyers, Roan Donnelly