Saturday 26 September – Suburban League Premier Division

WEALDSTONE 2 SUTTON UTD 2

Jerson dos Santos scored twice on his first appearance in Sutton colours this season, but a freak equaliser four minutes from time denied U’s, who played the last half hour a man short after Harry Ottaway had been sent off, all the points. Dos Santos struck after only nine minutes, turning a defender to shoot home after Wealdstone had failed to clear Michael Hunte’s throw, and playing down the slope U’s dominated much of the half, with Ottaway, Dos Santos and Stefan Joseph going close and it wasn’t until the last minute of the half that Alex Griffin, pressed in to emergency action in goal due to Paul Smith’s inclusion in the first team squad and Ben Clake pulling out due to a family bereavement, was tested as he held on to a free kick that came through U’s wall. Griffin saw more action in the second half and was relieved to see one shot bounce back off the post before diving away to save a shot from the edge of the area. Ottaway was sent off just before the hour mark for a second bookable offence, and although Daniel Harding had a shot saved they were pegged back with eighteen minutes left when a home striker rounded Griffin and fired home between two covering defenders. A diving header which went just wide might have put the home side ahead, but nine minutes from time Dos Santos latched on to a long pass and beat a defender and the keeper with some neat skill before firing home. It looked like a winner, but with four minutes left a cross from the left deceived Griffin, who could only help it in to the roof of the net, and U’s had to hold out for a draw although in the last seconds Harding had appeals for a penalty turned down.

Sutton: Alex Griffin, Michael Hunte, Daniel Gurney(sub Joe Hart 68), Chris Beard, John Cartledge, Elliot Mitchell, Stuart Young(sub Tommy Kavanagh 62), Harry Ottaway, Stefan Joseph(sub Dwain Williams 60), Jerson Dos Santos, Daniel Harding.