Greens Grind Out Away Win
Sutton United made it three wins on the bounce with a hard-fought victory at Wednesfield Community on Tuesday evening, thanks to first-half goals from Sam Jeeves and Joe Gildea.
Greg Lewis returned between the posts for the Greens in an otherwise unchanged side, as Sutton looked to continue their strong run of form.
The hosts, playing their first match since parting company with their manager earlier in the week, showed plenty of determination despite the difficult circumstances.
However, it was Sutton who could hardly have asked for a better start when they took the lead inside four minutes, with a superbly worked team goal. Aidan Mee and Leyton Hines combined well down the right before Tom Massey delivered a dangerous square ball into the penalty area. Red Simmons showed composure to set up Sam Jeeves, who struck brilliantly from 18 yards, his effort crashing in off the crossbar to give Sutton an early advantage.
Sutton soon had a strong shout for a penalty when Massey was bundled over inside the area, but the referee waved away the appeals.
It proved to be a tough, physical contest, with Wednesfield sending several dangerous balls into the Sutton penalty area. The Greens, however, stood firm, as centre-backs Matt Bishop and Lewis Wall were outstanding at the heart of the defence, while the entire team remained disciplined and well organised, meaning Lewis was rarely called into serious action.
Sutton made their moments count and doubled their lead just before half-time with a more direct approach. Bishop volleyed the ball forward from deep, Simmons rose superbly to win the aerial duel and head the ball on for Gildea, who carried it into the area before delicately chipping the advancing goalkeeper Christopher Adamson, to make to 2-0 to United.
The second half saw the introduction of Isai Marselia, who made his Sutton debut. The pacey forward almost made an instant impact when he raced through with the ball, only for play to be brought back by the officials for a foul on Lewis Hayden.
Chances were limited after the break, but Sutton still looked the more likely to add to the scoreline. Gildea struck a 25-yard free-kick narrowly over the crossbar, Oli Jeeves outpaced his marker before striking a shot wide of the target, and in added time, Hayden burst into the penalty area before seeing his effort fall just wide of the near post.
In the end it was another disciplined team performance from Sutton, securing a fourth consecutive clean sheet and another important three points on the road.
The Greens are back in action on Saturday 7th March with a challenging trip to Leicester St Andrews, who have not lost a league match since November.
Team: Wednesfield Community
1. Christopher Adamson
2. Ibrahima Diallo
3. Jevani Robinson
4. Henry Brittijn
5. Harvey Dangerfield (c)
6. Nathaniel Hill
7. Daniel Melsom – 49’ Leo Fyfield
8. Sachin Bargota
9. Dejon Miles – 63’ Chiernoh Jalloh
10. Stanford Stewart
11. Dilpreet Sandhu – 49’ Sebi Fyfield
Sub Unused: Njoya Anyi, Nana Boateng
Management/Assistants:
Lee Jackson
Michael Shelton
Simon Wilson
Joshua Boudier
Team: Sutton United
1. Greg Lewis
2. Aidan Mee
3. Harry Manton – 80’ James Gallagher
4. Matt Bishop
5. Lewis Wall
6. Sam Jeeves
7. Red Simmons – 80’ Oli Jeeves
8. Lewis Hayden
9. Joe Gildea – 80’ Dylan Green
10. Tom Massey – 63’ Isai Marselia
11. Leyton Hines – 77’ Jay Clements
Management/Assistants:
Neil Tooth
Phil Male
Carlos De Azevedo
Aidan Jeynes
Marcus Davies
Evija Stauga
Match Officials: David Lane, James Bloomfield, Stephen Castle
| Wednesfield Community | Statistics | Sutton United |
| 0 | Goals | 2 |
| 2 | Attempts | 8 |
| 0 | Attempts on Target | 4 |
| 53% | Possession | 47% |
| 0 | Corners | 6 |
| 5 | Fouls Committed | 11 |
| 2 | Yellow Cards | 0 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| Harvey Dangerfield | Opp Man of the Match | Matt Bishop |