Defeat for Sutton at Kirby
Sutton United began the new year with a narrow defeat in a competitive match against the in-form Kirby Muxloe in the MFL 1.
Sutton took the lead through Oli Jeeves before conceding two quick goals at the end of the first half. Kirby scored again at the beginning of the second half to make it 3-1, before Reece Gibson pulled a goal back for United. Sutton then pushed hard for an equaliser, but the hosts held on to record nine straight league wins that moves them up to third in the table.
A very strong Kirby side gave Sutton problems in the first half. Greg Lewis had to make two strong saves: first to tip behind a shot from Brogan Greenwood from the right of goal and then to deny Lucca Watson-Quilter with a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Kirby came close with a set piece in the 27th minute, as a free kick was headed back across goal by Josh Gunns where a well-placed Harry Manton headed clear for Sutton, before Suleiman Nassor slammed the rebound wide of the post.
United were battling hard and had a couple of half chances from set pieces before they took the lead in the 33rd minute. A throw-in by the corner flag from Jonny Grigg was crossed into the box by Abdul Touaiti, for Oli Jeeves to score his tenth goal of the season with a super header that beat the Kirby keeper at his near post.
The hosts responded with a period of pressure that had Sutton moving deeper into their own half. Zakari Adams hit the crossbar with a thunderbolt shot before the striker equalised for Kirby in the 42nd minute with a clinical finish into the bottom corner through a packed penalty box.
United were behind just three minutes later when Roman Watson-Quilter delivered a fantastic cross from the right for Lucca Watson-Quilter to head in at the back post.
Sutton began the second half positively but were caught out in the 48th minute with a swift break down the left from Kirby, as Nassor found space in the penalty box to sweep the ball into the back of the net from eight yards.
Reiss Hick had an excellent match in midfield for Sutton, alongside Touaiti who also excelled and won the free kick that saw United pull a goal back in the 81st minute. Louis Malin’s delivery was parried away by the Kirby goalkeeper, Charlie Andrews, before Reece Gibson found the bottom corner of the net with a precise finish.
United pressed for the equaliser and almost scored in the 89th minute when Matt Bishop headed just over the cross bar from Hayden Froggatt’s superb cross, but the hosts held on to take all three points.
Sutton must now turn their attention to the highly anticipated FA Vase match on Saturday 11th January against Bourne Town in what promises to be a fantastic atmosphere at Coleshill Road Stadium.
Team: Kirby Muxloe
1. Charlie Andrews (c)
2. Roman Watson-Quilter
3. Ewan Harrington
4. Josh Gunn
5. Daryl Russell
6. Tyler Love
7. Brogan Greenwood – 77’ Mark Foster
8. Tom Carroll
9. Zakari Adams – 90+1’ Ewan Lilleyman
10. Suleiman Nassor
11. Lucca Watson-Quilter – 82’ Adetomiwa Efunnuga
Sub Unused: Callum Francis, Mohamed Hogsade
Management/Assistants:
Nick Green
Adam Parry
Ian Brett
Jim Miles
Ash Forsyth
Team: Sutton United
1. Greg Lewis
2. Jonny Grigg – 79’ Louis Malin
3. Harry Manton
4. Matt Bishop
5. Callum Cook
6. Reiss Hick
7. Leyton Hines – 50’ Harry Howard
8. Abdul Touaiti
9. Oli Jeeves – 50’ Reece Gibson
10. Tom Massey – 50’ Joe Gildea
11. Joe Delaney – 50’ Hayden Froggatt
Management/Assistants:
Richard Heath
Liam Burke
Adam Watson
Bobby Brittan
Derek Culling
Match Officials: Will Maddern, Kim Hathrell, Joshua Dutton