Strong Performance, Tough Result
Sutton United fell to a 2-0 defeat away at Birmingham OJM, but the scoreline failed to reflect a much-improved performance from the Greens in a closely contested encounter.
United handed debuts to three new signings: Ben George, Jay Clements, and Red Simmons, with Simmons having scored against Sutton just four days earlier with Smethwick Rangers. All three acquitted themselves well on a heavy pitch against a strong and physical OJM side.
The first half was tight with Sutton just edging the early chances. Joe Gildea went closest when he ran onto a long ball and managed to beat the advancing goalkeeper, only to see his header drift agonisingly wide of the target.
OJM posed a consistent threat through their powerful forward pairing of Isaac Phillips and Leslie Omorodion, but Sutton’s centre-back partnership of Matt Bishop and Lewis Wall were outstanding throughout. Greg Lewis was also alert in the United goal and produced an excellent save in the 27th minute, positioning himself well to deny Phillips from close range.
The hosts eventually broke the deadlock shortly before half time, when Phillips fired a shot from the edge of the penalty area which Lewis managed to parry, but Ormorodion reacted quickest at the back post to turn the rebound home.
Sutton emerged positively for the second half but suffered a major setback almost immediately when OJM were awarded what appeared to be a highly dubious penalty. Phillips stepped up and converted confidently, giving the hosts a two-goal advantage just two minutes after the restart.
To their credit, United responded superbly and pressed OJM back, showing real belief and energy, but a well-organised home defence held firm and restricted Sutton’s clear-cut chances.
It began to feel like it was not going to be Sutton’s afternoon when Gildea struck the crossbar, stretching to meet a rebound after Joe Neeson had fumbled his initial effort.
On the flanks, Simmons and Clements worked tirelessly in difficult conditions. When Clements switched the ball out to Simmons in the 70th minute, the youngster did well to beat two defenders and pick out Tom Massey on the edge of the area, only for the Sutton captain’s effort to curl narrowly wide of the top corner.
OJM remained dangerous on the counterattack, as Ormorodion was denied by a superbly timed challenge from Lewis Wall, while late on Sutton substitute James Gallagher showed tremendous determination to chase down Michael Nelson and make a brilliant challenge, before Phillips struck the crossbar for the hosts.
United continued to push right until the final whistle and when Aidan Mee won possession and flashed a dangerous ball across the face of goal, OJM cleared only as far as Lewis Hayden, whose effort then went wide for the Greens. And in the closing minutes, Bishop forced a strong save from Nelson after Hayden’s teasing free-kick delivery.
Despite the defeat, the performance and attitude from Sutton were excellent. They competed well throughout and showed real spirit, but OJM are a strong and difficult team to break down, and they worked hard to protect their lead once ahead.
United are back in action on Tuesday 27th January with a midweek trip to Wednesfield Community, kick off 7.45pm.
Team: Birmingham OJM
1. Joe Neeson
2. Sebastian Pearsall
3. Steven Leslie – 65’ Aaron Weston
4. Jordan Sangha (c)
5. Stefan Cameron
6. Callum Nimmo
7. Lukman Darboe
8. Tom Cox
9. Isaac Phillips
10. Reece Morris
11. Leslie Omorodion – 78’ Michael Nelson
Sub unused: Casey Collins, Daniel O’Sullivan,
Zaki Kamali
Management/Assistants:
Adam Younis
Marco Adaggio
Ashley Brown
Dave Hallam
Mia Cole
Adam Keough
Team: Sutton United
1. Greg Lewis
2. Aidan Mee
3. Harry Manton
4. Matt Bishop
5. Lewis Wall
6. Ben George – 81’ Tion Pearce
7. Jay Clement – 71’ Dylan Green
8. Lewis Hayden
9. Joe Gildea
10. Tom Massey – 81’ James Gallagher
11. Red Simmons 71’ Leyton Hines
Sub unused: Jake Lamb
Management/Assistants:
Neil Tooth
Phil Male
Carlos De Azevedo
Aidan Jeynes
Marcus Davies
Evija Stauga
Match Officials: Tazlim Alli, Edward Morgan, Mark Powell
| Birmingham OJM | Statistics | Sutton United |
| 2 | Goals | 0 |
| 8 | Attempts | 10 |
| 5 | Attempts on Target | 4 |
| 2 | Corners | 2 |
| 5 | Fouls Committed | 9 |
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| Club Man of the Match | Matt Bishop |