Massey’s Matchwinner
Tom Massey scored the only goal as Sutton United claimed a vital three points on the road with a narrow victory over local rivals Smethwick Rangers in a tightly contested encounter at the Amber Arena.
In a match of few clear-cut chances, it was the captain’s early strike that ultimately separated the sides and secured back-to-back clean sheets for the Greens.
United made one change from last Saturday’s goalless draw, with Oli Jeeves leading the line from the start as the Greens made a purposeful opening, finding the net in the 11th minute. Red Simmons delivered a dangerous in-swinging corner that caused problems for Smethwick, and when Oli Jeeves’ header was blocked on the line by Kurtis Amoh, Massey pounced to tap home from close range and hand Sutton the advantage.
Following the early goal, the match settled into an evenly balanced affair, with both sides struggling to carve out meaningful openings. Sutton marginally edged the first-half opportunities, as Jay Clement tried his luck from 18-yards, while Matt Bishop met a set piece with a firm header, but neither effort overly troubled Smethwick goalkeeper Ashley O’Neill.
At the start of the second half, Simmons tested O’Neill with a powerful 25-yard free kick destined for the bottom corner, but the Smethwick keeper produced a superb save before reacting quickly to deny Oli Jeeves on the rebound.
Oli Jeeves went close again in the 52nd minute when Ben George played him through on the left, and he beat O’Neill with a clever chip, only to see his effort land agonisingly on the roof of the net.
The host’s had a great opportunity early in the second half when Javone Forrester’s curling pass picked out Tyler Wilson on the left, but he couldn’t find the target as his strike cannoned off the rear stanchion of the goal.
Clear chances remained scarce until the 85th minute when Sutton survived a major scare, as a lapse in concentration saw goalkeeper Greg Lewis drop the ball and then pick it up again, conceding an indirect free kick from six yards out. Lucas Edwards fired goalwards for the hosts, but his effort smashed into a wall of green as Sutton put bodies on the line to preserve their slender lead.
The hosts pushed forward in added time in search of an equaliser, but Sutton’s defence stood firm as Harry Manton produced a decisive block to deny Edwards from ten yards, while both Bishop and Lewis Wall rose to make crucial headed clearances to preserve the clean sheet and ensure an important derby-day victory.
There was also a welcome second-half debut for striker Ethan Clarke as Sutton saw out the contest professionally to secure all three points.
Next up for Sutton is a home league fixture against Kirby Muxloe on Saturday 28th February with a 3pm kick off at Coleshill Road Stadium, as the Greens look to build on a hard-earned away win.
Team: Smethwick Rangers
1. Ashley O’Neill
2. Lawson Birch
3. Joe Haines – 76’ Fredrick Akidi
4. Kurtis Amoh
5. Pierre Phillips – 88’ Jack Ritchie
6. Lewis Capper-Imms – 68’ Rahiem Faulder
7. Danny Wood (c)
8. Jack White
9. Tyler Wilson
10. Javone Forrester – 76’ Lucas Edwards
11. Callum Thorpe
Sub unused: Daniel White
Management/Assistants:
Jon Allen, Jay Cartwright
Dave Hodgetts, Ben Mortiboys
Harrison Osbourne
Team: Sutton United
1. Greg Lewis
2. Aidan Mee
3. Harry Manton
4. Matt Bishop
5. Lewis Wall
6. Ben George
7. Red Simmons – 78’ Sam Jeeves
8. Lewis Hayden
9. Oli Jeeves – 58’ Ethan Clarke
10. Tom Massey (c)
11. Jay Clement – 68’ Leyton Hines
Sub unused: Dylan Green, James Gallagher
Management/Assistants:
Phil Male, Carlos De Azevedo
Marcus Davies, Evija Stauga
Match Officials: Oliver Swindall, John Sproson, Alex Rushton
| Smethwick Rangers | Statistics | Sutton United |
| 0 | Goals | 1 |
| 5 | Attempts | 8 |
| 2 | Attempts on Target | 6 |
| 35% | Possession | 65% |
| 6 | Corners | 5 |
| 12 | Fouls Committed | 7 |
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| Club Man of the Match | Aidan Mee | |
| Lawson Birch | Opp Man of the Match |