FOURmidable Sutton storm past 10-man Bilston
Sutton United continued their blistering start to the season with a commanding 4-1 home victory over Bilston Town, making it nine wins from their opening ten league matches.
The result also completed a league double over their Black Country opponents, with Sutton maintaining their 100% home record in front of an energetic crowd at Coleshill Road.
It was a tightly contested encounter between two well-organised sides, particularly in the opening half hour where chances were limited. Sutton, who made three changes from Saturday’s win – including the return of Lewis Hayden from suspension and starts for Aidan Mee and Matt Bishop in defence – looked sharp without creating too many clear-cut opportunities early on.
Tom Massey fired over from distance, and Leyton Hines was denied by a fine block from Bilston defender Tom Hurdman after a tidy passing move. At the other end, Bilston nearly broke the deadlock when Chad Carter’s deep free kick found Harry Dixon, whose well-struck half-volley rattled the crossbar.
The breakthrough came in the 40th minute and it was the ex-Bilston man Lewis Wall who made the difference. Massey teed him up just outside the area, and Wall struck a crisp, low finish into the bottom corner to give United the lead.
But the visitors hit back on the stroke of half time. A rapid Bilston counterattack saw Wall commit a foul on Dixon as they were running into the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. The Steelmen’s captain Luke Carter, kept his composure to bury the spot kick and send the sides into the interval level at 1-1.
Bilston’s top goal scorer, Samuel Yankson was always a threat going forward, but he had been kept at bay by Sutton’s defence all evening, and his only real sight of goal came early in the second half when he cut inside but dragged is shot wide of the target.
The game’s momentum shifted decisively on 59 minutes when Bilston were reduced to ten men. Chad Carter was shown a straight red for his challenge on Mee, giving Sutton the upper hand for the remainder of the match.
The introduction of United’s substitutes also proved pivotal. Within minutes of taking to the pitch, Oli Jeeves had restored the lead for the hosts, poking home from close range. It was Ollie Burgundy’s corner that caused the problems in the Bilston box, with Joe Gildea beating the keeper to get the initial touch before Jeeves swept the ball home.
Sutton continued to press, and only a brave block from Bilston’s Ben Priest denied Gildea, after a sublime through ball from Bishop. But the pressure eventually told again on 87 minutes, when Mee, now operating higher up on the right, whipped in a perfect cross that Gildea met with a superb volley past goalkeeper Dominic Cooper.
There was still time for United to add a fourth, as Oli Jeeves split the Bilston defence with a clever pass in the 3rd minute of added time, and Mee squared for Gildea to tap home his second of the night and Sutton’s fourth.
It was a comprehensive performance from Sutton, who showed depth, discipline and attacking quality throughout. Tion Pearce stood out at the back with a commanding display, while Massey’s energy kept the midfield in control.
Next up for Sutton is another tough home clash against AFC Bridgnorth on Saturday 13th September as they look to continue their electric start to the campaign.
Team: Sutton United
1. Gabe Newey
2. Aidan Mee
3. Harry Manton – 87’ James Gallagher
4. Matt Bishop
5. Tion Pearce
6. Lewis Wall – 53’ Reiss Hick
7. Ollie Burgundy
8. Lewis Hayden – 66’ Sam Jeeves
9. Leyton Hines – 66’ Oli Jeeves
10. Tom Massey (c)
11. Harry Howard – 53’ Joe Gildea
Management/Assistants:
Richard Heath
Liam Burke
Aidan Jeynes
Marcus Davies
Evija Stauga
Derek Culling
Team: Bilston Town
1. Dominic Cooper
2. Tarique Hunter 86’ Joshua Banks
3. Tom Hurdman
4. Chad Carter
5. Ben Priest
6. Josh Godwin – 86’ Dilpreet Sandhu
7. Harry Dixon – 75’ Jordan Crump
8. Luke Carter (c)
9. Samuel Yankson – 75’ Callum Bright
10. Joe Scriven
11. Louie Newbold – 55’ Jay Rossiter
Management/Assistants:
Dave King
Kieran Bustin
Sharndeep Dulay
Wayne Shakespeare
Eleanor Higginson
Match Officials: Benjamin Gudger, Callum Finnegan, Adam Gittens
| Sutton United | Statistics | Bilston Town |
| 4 | Goals | 1 |
| 11 | Attempts | 4 |
| 6 | Attempts on Target | 2 |
| 69% | Possession | 31% |
| 3 | Corners | 1 |
| 7 | Fouls Committed | 8 |
| 2 | Yellow Cards | 0 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 1 |
| Opp Man of the Match | Luke Carter | |
| Tion Pearce | Club Man of the Match |