BY ANDREW DELANEY
Sutton United bowed out of the Les James Challenge Cup in the second round with a disappointing display against Lane Head.
It was the first time this season that high scoring Sutton have failed to find the net; managing only two efforts on target all match. In contrast, their opponents had been struggling in front of goal all season, but today they were the team to take advantage of their opportunities and subject the MFL 2 leaders to their heaviest defeat of the season.
Lane Head took the lead in the 18th minute when Sam Baxter headed in a corner at the back post.
With an early advantage the hosts had their tails up and United just could not get into the game. Having made five changes to the team that won on Saturday, Sutton never quite found their rhythm, their best opportunity of the half falling to Jake Murrell, who found himself free at the back post only to miss the target from five yards.
Sutton did begin the second half brightly and came close to an equaliser when Brad Gregory clipped the top of the post with a header from a corner kick. And when Remi Bell’s clever chip freed Sef Semlali on the left, his cross to Matthews should really have been buried, but an extra touch allowed the Lane Head defender to clear off the goal line.
In need of a goal Sutton turned to their bench; with 48 goals between them this campaign, yet even that did not bring about the change of fortunes they desired as they struggled to find a way through a packed defence.
At the other end of the pitch, Lane Head pounced on their opportunities and when Jack Arnold found himself free on the left, he curled a superb shot around Josh Bennett to give his side a two-goal lead.
Sutton’s dismal afternoon was summed up in the 90th minute when they finally found the net with Leyton Hines at the back post, only for the referee to disallow for an infringement in the build-up that had everyone else baffled.
And to rub salt in the wound, Lane Head added a third goal in added time when another defensive error from Sutton allowed Arnold a free run into the penalty box to find the net with a composed finish.
All in all, it was a day to forget for Sutton, but also a day to learn from mistakes and refocus for the next match, with Sutton hosting MFL 1 side Coton Green in the Fazeley Cup on Tuesday 31st January at Coleshill Road Stadium 7.30pm kick off.
Team: Sutton United
1. Josh Bennett
2. Pete Bannister – Matt Hurrell 74’
3. Brad Gregory
4. Lewis James
5. Kaine Donald – Matt Bishop 65’
6. Josh Duggan (c)
7. Jake Murrell – Tom Massey 57’
8. Sef Semlali
9. Andy Matthews – Leyton Hines 57’
10. Remi Bell – Joe Gildea 57’
11. Joe Delaney