Nesbitt Nets Derby Day Winner
Sutton United secured a hard-fought victory over local rivals Chelmsley Town on Bank Holiday Monday, with Ryan Nesbitt providing the winning goal at Coleshill Road Stadium.
The Greens made three changes from Saturday’s win, as Jake Lamb, Oli Jeeves, and Jay Clement were all named in the starting line-up.
Sutton enjoyed plenty of possession without finding the decisive finish in a goalless first half. Oli Jeeves came close early on with a shot fired over the crossbar, while Nesbitt tested Chelmsley goalkeeper Connor Hill with a strong effort at the near post.
Clement was a constant threat in the attacking third, coming close with a powerful strike that skimmed just wide, before seeing another effort saved by Hill, following a slick move involving Ben George and Aidan Mee.
Chelmsley’s best opportunity of the half came from a set piece, with Barry Fitzharris sending an 18-yard strike narrowly over the bar, as the teams finished the half on level terms.
Sutton emerged with greater intensity after the break and took the lead in the 57th minute, when Clement drove into the penalty area and laid the ball off for Oli Jeeves. The striker’s shot was initially blocked, only for the rebound to ricochet off Harry Jennings and straight into his own net.
The visitors responded quickly, levelling the score just eight minutes later through a superb strike from Harry Jackson, who rifled home from the edge of the area.
Undeterred, Sutton regained the lead in the 71st minute, when a corner from Sam Jeeves was headed on by Leyton Hines, who was making his 150th appearance for the First Team. The ball fell to Nesbitt on the edge of the box and he showed great composure to curl a stunning effort into the top far corner, marking his third goal in five games since joining the club.
The closing stages were tense, as Sutton, having already been pegged back once, showed signs of nerves under increasing pressure from the visitors. Thomas Marshall came close with a curling effort that drifted just wide, while substitute James McGrane tried his luck from distance. William Marshall also tested Lewis with a 25-yard free kick, forcing the goalkeeper into a crucial save.
With injuries arising to defenders Lewis Wall and Jake Lamb, both Ben George and Red Simmons stepped into the back line, and despite the late pressure, the Greens held firm to secure a valuable three points.
Next up for Sutton is an away fixture against Saffron Dynamo on Saturday 11th April, with kick off at 3pm.
Team: Sutton United
1. Greg Lewis
2. Aidan Mee
3. Jake Lamb – 46’ Sam Jeeves
4. Matt Bishop
5. Lewis Wall – 33’ Leyton Hines
6. Ben George
7. Red Simmons
8. Lewis Hayden (c)
9. Oli Jeeves – 66’ Joe Gildea
10. Jay Clement – 62’ Tom Massey
11. Ryan Nesbitt
Unused Sub: Harry Manton
Management/Assistants:
Neil Tooth
Phil Male
Carlos De Azevedo
Aidan Jeynes
Evija Stauga
Derrick Culling
Team: Chelmsley Town
1. Connor Hill
2. Harry Jackson
3. Dale Hewitt – 89’ Alfie Chatwin
4. George Noakes
5. Henry Walker
6. Barry Fitzharris (c)
7. Kyle Hayden
8. Harry Jennings – 75’ Dylan Pahile
9. Thomas Marshall
10. Harry Howard – 58’ James McGrane
11. William Marshall
Unused Sub: Liam McCullagh, Charlie Noakes
Management/Assistants:
Steven Solomen
Gary Danks
Kevin Wagstaff
Peter Maguire
Match Officials: Kendrick Green, Steven Chapell, David Wood
| Sutton United | Statistics | Chelmsley Town |
| 2 | Goals | 1 |
| 19 | Attempts | 10 |
| 10 | Attempts on Target | 6 |
| 73% | Possession | 27% |
| 10 | Corners | 3 |
| 6 | Fouls Committed | 4 |
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| Ben George | Club Man of the Match | |
| Red Simmons | Opp Man of the Match | Harry Jackson |