DULWICH H 2 SUTTON UTD 2
Newly signed striker Chukki Eribenne gave Sutton supporters an early indication of his ability as he scored twice in Tuesday night's friendly at Champion Hill. The former Weymouth and Ebbsfleet front man netted with two fine headers, but it wasn't enough to give U's their fifth win in six pre-season games as two moments of defensive uncertainty allowed a lively Dulwich team the chance to equalise twice. It was a game of some pace but, particularly in the first half, little goalmouth incident, with Sutton unable to recapture the flowing football they showed at Uxbridge under pressure from a Dulwich side who on this showing should again be among the promotion contenders in Division One South of the Ryman League. U's most impressive display early on came from the central defensive partnership of Karim El-Salahi and Alan Bray, who both produced telling interventions to halt dangerous attacks, and it wasn't until the 33rd minute that either goalkeeper was called in to action, Paul Nicholls coming off his line quickly to save from Dulwich striker Scott Simpson. Four minutes later, though, U's made their first real opening count as Matt Hann's miscued shot turned in to a pass to Adam Wilde on the left, and his accurate cross was met by Eribenne who, despite being off balance, directed a superb header high in to the corner of the net. Hann was denied a second shortly afterwards by a marginal offside decision, but Us lead was wiped out just 35 seconds in to the second half when they failed to clear their lines as the ball was played in from the left and Tom Boloruina drilled a low shot past Nicholls and in off the post. Sutton were back in front within five minutes as Hann broke through but saw his shot diverted away by goalkeeper Jamie Lunan's legs, but from Wilde's resulting corner Eribenne again headed impressively home. Substitutes Delando Smith (not Orlando, as we incorrectly reported on Saturday) and Adam Roberts should both have extended U's lead in a second half that they largely dominated, Smith first heading wide from a corner and then setting up Roberts who shot low against the post with the goal at his mercy, and Tom Hughes also went close with a diving header from Hann's free kick. Jack Smith made one excellent interception to turn a right wing cross away from Laurent Hamici when an equaliser looked certain, but the home side's efforts were rewarded six minutes from time when Bray conceded a corner under pressure and Fas Koroma was left free to plant his header in to the net through a crowded six-yard box.
Sutton: P Nicholls, J Smith, K George(sub T Hughes 66), D Palmer(sub S McKimm H-T), A Bray, K El-Salahi(sub S Stannard 68), M Hann(sub S West 83), C Davis(sub B Graham 66), C Eribenne(sub A Roberts 58), C Dundas, A Wilde(sub D Smith 58). Goals: Eribenne (37,50).
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