Sutton Utd 1-2 Whyteleafe

Suburban League

2nd May 2009

Needing a win to keep alive any hopes of finishing in the top three of the Premier Division, Sutton never recovered from conceding two goals in the first fifteen minutes against a Whyteleafe side themselves needing the points in a fight against relegation. The first goal came with a header from a free kick, the second also followed a free kick and was scrambled in at the second attempt. U’s replied with a Stefan Joseph header wide and a Daniel Harding shot saved by the keeper, but came closest when Harry Ottaway’s shot hit the underside of the bar just before half time in a goalmouth scramble. Sutton hit the woodwork again early in the second half, Sam Stannard’s header coming back off the bar, and the visiting keeper made good saves from Harding and Joseph, but a rare counter attack almost brought a third Whyteleafe goal, Daniel Gurney clearing off the line. Harding did pull a goal back with just under twenty minutes left, pouncing on a rebound after Harry Ottaway’s shot had been parried by the keeper, but despite concerted pressure the equalizer wouldn’t come as Harry Ottaway, Tommy Kavanagh and Bentley Graham were all denied by the keeper, and when Billy Dunn did find the net he was offside. At the other end U’s had a late scare when Andy Layzell had to tip over a deflected free kick via the crossbar.

Sutton Utd 3-1 Dunstable

Suburban League

21st April 2009

The arrival of Steve Watts from the substitutes' bench finally earned Sutton the breakthrough after they had dominated long spells of the game without being able to turn the territorial supremacy in to goals. Fielding several players from the first team squad, U's created numerous chances in the first half, with Tim Bond hitting the bar with a header from a corner and Chukki Eribenne then clipping the post with a close range shot before he had a header from a corner cleared off the line. The visiting keeper also made good saves from Eribenne, Billy Dunn and Bentley Graham, and when Dunn did get the ball in the net four minutes before half time he was adjudged offside. In the early stages of the second half Dunstable had some attacks of their own and Andy Layzell, virtually a spectator in the first half, had to make two sharp saves. Billy Chattaway shot at the keeper when well placed, but then with fourteen minutes left Watts, who had come on for Eribenne early in the second half, volleyed home after a fine run from Danny Phillips to break the deadlock. Dunn should have added a second immediately when his shot was blocked by the keeper's legs, and U's were then rocked by a Dunstable equaliser as a long ball over the top found an unmarked forward to score as U's looked for an offside. U's weren't to be denied victory, though, and with five minutes left a raking crossfield pass from Charlie Ottaway gave Dunn the chance to hammer a low shot in. Watts then headed in form a corenr only for the goal to be ruled out for a foul, but with a minute left he produced a delightful lob over the keeper to make it 3-1 after being set up by Phillips.

Sutton Utd 5-1 Eastleigh

Suburban League

18th April 2009

Sutton's reserves kept alive their hope of a top three finish in the Suburban League with one of their best performances of the season to move to within two points of an Eastleigh side currently occupying third place. Stefam Joseph was almost gifted an early goal when the Eastleigh goalkeeper mis-hit a clearance straight to him, but recovered in time to block Joseph's shot, but in the 12th minute a throw-in was cleared as far as Tommy Kavanagh on the edge of the penalty area and his low shot went in off the post and keeper. Eastleigh almost replied immediately as Sam Stannard blocked a goalbound shot, but they did equalise soon afterwards when a cross was deflected in to the path of an attacker who powered a shot past Andy Layzell. Harry Ottaway had a shot well saved before U's regained the lead just before the interval, the goalkeeper having another unhappy moment as he failed to gather a harmless ball through and Jospeh was left to roll the ball in to the empty net. Early in the second half Tom Hughes hit the outside of the post with a half volley and although Layzell had to make one full stretch save U's put the game beyond Eastleigh's reach with two goals in three minutes as Daniel Harding scored from close range after Ottaway had pulled a cross back from the right, and Stuart Young rolled in a simple finish after the keeper had failed to gather a Hughes free kick. Eleven minutes from time U's further extended the lead in bizarre fashion when Layzell came outside his area to hammer away a clearance which carried on the wind and completely deceived his opposite number, who could only touch the ball over his head and watch it bounce on in to the net.

Sutton Utd 4-1 Ashford T (Middx)

Suburban League

15th April 2009

When Sutton went two up after just three minutes it appeared as though they were on course for a resounding victory, but Ashford recovered well and U's had to battle for a win that was in the end still comfortable. After only 30 seconds Stefan Joseph shot home after latching on to Daniel Harding's flick, and then Harding glanced in a left wing cross to double the lead soon afterwards. Ashford bounced back from this dreadful start and after having a goal ruled out for offside they reduced the arrears when a long throw was turned past Andy Layzell, before a spell in which Layzell had to make two good saves as Ashford put U's under pressure from a run of corners. Steve McKimm also had to head clear from inside the danger area after a cross had evaded Layzell, but U's then came back to dominate the rest of an entertaining first half with Sam Stannard, Jospeh and Tom Kavanagh all coming close, although at the other end Jamie Bolar had to block a goalbound volley. Ashford started the second half in lively fashion, but their resistance was finally broken on the hour when Yemi Oke, who had only been on the pitch for four minutes, broke through to fire in a shot which the keeper could only take the pace off, and although it originally appeared to have gone in on its own merits Joseph, coming in at the far post to make sure, was later credited with the final touch. Seven minutes later Joseph had his hat trick who went clear of the defence to beat the advancing keeper, and as U's finished the game on top Joseph and Tom Hughes both had goals disallowed for offside while Kavanagh's shot was well saved.

Sutton Utd 1-3 Met Police

Suburban League

8th April 2009

Despite an improved second half performance, U’s failed to recover from conceding three goals in the first twenty minutes of this league clash just 48 hours after they had gone out of the League Cup on penalties at Bedfont. The first goal came after just two minutes when U’s cleared a cross to the edge of the penalty area from where a low shot went through a crowd of players past Andy Layzell. Ten minutes later a far post header made it 2-0, and after former U’s keeper Mo Maan had saved from Billy Dunn the third goal came from the penalty spot. Had Sam Stannard not cleared a shot off the line after a striker had rounded Layzell it might have been worse, but U’s did rally as Steve West’s free kick was saved and early in the second half Billy Chattaway bundled the ball in from a right wing cross. It might have been a closer finish with West heading against the bar and Charlie Ottaway having a fierce shot tipped over by Maan, but U’s were unable to make any more impact on the scoreline.

Bedfont 2-2 Sutton Utd
AET, FT 2-2
Bedfont won 5-4 on penalties

Suburban League Cup Semi Final

6th April 2009

Sutton's hopes of lifting the Suburban League Cup were ended in agonising fashion on Monday when they went out in a penalty shootout to a Bedfont side who had scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time at the end of normal time to take the tiw in to an extra period. Belying their lowly league status, Bedfont started well and had early penalty claims turned down after a mix-up between Tom Hughes and goalkeeper Ben Clarke, before Hughes had to put in a timely challenge to block another shot and Clarke made a good save from an acrobatic overhead kick. A header from a free kick also went just wide, but having weathered the early pressure U's came back to go ahead after 27 minutes when Stefan Joseph, who had just seen a diving header saved, shot home after Sam Stannard had knocked down Charlie Ottaway's free kick. Bedfont came out strongly again at the start of the second half and within two minutes a left wing free kick was met by a neat glancing header for the equaliser. U's receovered well, though, and Daniel Harding missed a good chance before Billy Dunn hit the outside of the post with a free kick. Seventeen minutes from time U's were back in front, though, as the best bit of football of the night saw Joseph send Graham through on the right, and Stuart Young arrived late to meet Graham's cross with a first time volley past a helpless keeper. U's had one scare when a free kick was miscued wide from a good position, but otherwise looked fairly comfortable as Joseph headed over from a free kick and Dunn sent two shots just wide. Deep in to injury time, though, a contested drop ball midway inside the Sutton half saw Bedfont launch one last attack, and the ball was driven hard across goal from the left and scrambled in at the far post. The closest to a goal in extra time came when the home keeper turned round a Graham free kick that threatened to sneak inside the far post, and then made a good save from a fierce Hughes header, but the sides couldn't be separated until the penalty shootout, when all the takers converted their spot kicks apart from Stannard, who blazed his over the bar.

A goal in each half enabled Sutton to return to winning form in a game that saw three players sent off. U's were in to the attack straight from the start, with Stefan Joseph having one good shot saved and hitting the side netting with another effort, and Stuart Young sending a free kick just wide, all in the first five minutes. Sam Stannard had to produce one good headed clearance on a rare Casuals attack, but after Billy Chattaway had headed just over from close raneg, U's went ahead twelve minutes before half time when Harry Ottaway powered in a far post header from Chattaway's cross. Chattaway was then in action at the other end, heading off the line following a corner, while in what would be a mixed afternoon for the Ottaway family Harry then limped off injured. Casuals went close from another corner early in the second half, but were then reduced to ten men when a midfielder who had been sent off against U'searlier in the season again failed to last 90 minutes, receiving a second yellow card. Ten minutes later U's made the extra man advantage count as a fine move saw Tom Kavanagh find Young on the left, and his low cross was allowed to run by Joseph for Daniel Harding to head home. Joseph and Harding both went close in the next five minutes before a second Casuals player was sent off for a second yellow card, but right at the end Charlie Ottaway also saw red for swearing after a clash with a home player at a corner.

Two goals behind from the first leg, Sutton had chances to get back in to the Champions' Cup final but failed to take them and in the end Tooting completed a deserved victory. Elliot Mitchell's early 20 yard shot went just wide, and U's then had claims for a penalty when Michael Hunte appeared to be brought down, while on the half hour Billy Dunn did have the ball in the net but the flag had gone up for offside. At the other end debutant goalkeeper Andy Layzell twice saw shots fly across goal when a touch would probably have produced a goal, but U's continued to look for a way back in to the game after the break, Tom Hughes having a shot saved following a corner, and Sam Stannard then heading against the outside of the post from Dunn's free kick. U's struck the woodwork again thirteen minutes from time when Daniel Harding volleyed against the post after a free kick had been glanced on, but Tooting had posed an increasing threat on the break and immediately following that incident they put the tie beyond reach, a Tooting striker going through the centre of U's defence and chipping Layzell. It was U's keeper who was the busier late on as he made two good saves, while Harry Ottaway's late effort for U's flew just wide.

U's reserves were left with a tough task if they are to lift the Champions' Cup after Tooting opened a two goal lead in the first leg, and but for some wayward finishing might have rendered next week's second leg academic. Sutton made the better start, with former U's goalkeeper Danny Bracken saving early from Bentley Graham, who then put Daniel Harding through to round Bracken and shoot goalwards only for a covering defender to clear superbly on the line. U's also thought they should have had a penalty when a goalbound Graham shot appeared to be handled on the line, but the referee waved play on. Stuart Young had a free kick saved, and Harding shot over as U's continued to look the likelier side to score, but then eight minutes before half time a corner was scrambled in at the far post to give Tooting the lead. Ten minutes in to the second half worse followed, as U's failed to clear a cross from the left and another former Sutton player, Jamaal Horne, volleyed past Joe McLoughlin for a second goal. After that it was the home side who dominated, with McLoughlin making several important saves and Tom Hughes flinging himself in the way of another shot to divert the ball over the bar. Stefan Joseph did get his head to one Charlie Ottaway vross, but Bracken saved easily as Tooting held on to their advantage.

Sutton had the worst possible start to this game as virtually the first touch for debutant goalkeeper Ben Clarke was to pick the ball out of his net after a defensive slip had allowed Daryl Swaby, who had played for U's earlier in the season, to shoot home, but they came close to equalising immediately when another ex-U, goalkeeper Danny Bracken, failed to deal with a high ball in from the left and Daniel Harding's header bounced off the top of the crossbar. Towards the end of the half Harry Ottaway and Tom Kavanagh both saw shots go just wide, but then three minutes before the interval the pressure paid off as Harding held off a challenge from a defender and neatly chipped the ball over Bracken and in to the net. Eleven minutes in to the second half the best football of the game so far saw U's go in front as Elliot Mitchell put Harding away on the right and then continued his run to meet Harding's low cross with a first time shot that gave Bracken no chance, but within three minutes the scores were level again as Tooting converted a penalty after a right wing cross had been handled. Bracken was the busier goalkeeper in the last half hour, making saves from Harry Ottaway, Stuart Young and Billy Dunn, and when Dunn did find the back of the net the effort was ruled out for offside. The pressure continued, but although Harding and Harry Ottaway both went close U'swere unable to force the winner in the first of three meetings between the sides over a ten day period.

Sutton Utd 1-0 Corinthian Casuals
Sutton win 6-1 on aggregate

Suburban League Champions Cup
Semi-final 2nd Leg

17th March 2009

With the hard work having been done in the first leg, this was simply a question of making sure there were no mishaps and predictably it was a low key game, although Alan Bray, Tim Bond, Billy Dunn and Dean Palmer all had useful workouts on their way back to full fitness. Dunn wasted little time showing his intentions, sending a quickly taken free kick just wide after only three minutes and then having another low shot scrambled round the post by the visiting keeper two minutes later, and ten minutes from half time he came even closer when he met Stuart Young's cross with a shot that came back off the far post. Apart from one scare when Joe McLoughlin missed his punch and the ball was headed just over U's remained on top in the second half with Bond heading over from a free kick and Dunn and Bentley Graham having shots saved. The deadlock was finally broken 14 minutes from time by substitute Stefan Joseph, who crashed home a rising drive after good work on the right by Elliot Mitchell, and both Harry Ottaway and Daniel Harding might have added to the score before the end.

A spell of three goals in the first ten minutes of the second half enabled Three Bridges, one place of the bottom of the Suburban League, to condemn Sutton to a shock defeat that kept them in 4th place in the table. U's were away to a flying start when Daniel Gurney scored with a close range header after Harry Scoal had chipped Stuart Young's corner across goal, but the lead lasted just five minutes as a low shot from the edge of the penalty area found the bottom corner of Joe McLoughlin's goal. U's keeper almost immediately had to make a good save as Three Bridges caught U's on the break, and then at the other end Daniel Harding's volley was tipped over, but U's regained the lead nine minutes before half time when Stefan Joseph slid in to convert Harry Ottaway's cross. Three Bridges then had a goal disallowed for offside, but they turned the game on its head at the start of the second half, equalising with a header from a corner, and a minute later going in front with a fine solo goal. Worse soon followed as a free kick from the right was met with a towering header that went beyond McLoughlin's despairing leap. It wasn't until the last five minutes that U's threatened a comeback, and after Elliot Mitchell's cross shot had gone just wide Joseph did pull a goal back in the last minute but it was too little, too late.

Despite a strong second half comeback from Leatherhead, Sutton successfully defended a two goal half time lead to take their place in the last four of this season's Suburban League Cup. The first half saw Sutton dominating possession and territory and deservedly going ahead in the 19th minute when Stefan Joseph was put through on the left side of the penalty area and shot high in to the net. Joe McLoughlin's first action came on the half hour, a good low save to turn a shot round the post, but three minutes later U's had doubled their lead through Harry Ottaway's penalty after Stuart Young had been brought down. Tommy Kavanagh almost added a third soon afterwards with a deflected shot which the keeper adjusted well to save, but the second half proved a different story with Leatherhead almost pulling a goal back in the first minute with a header which hit the post and was cleared off the line by Charlie Ottaway. A 20 yard shot went just over McLoughlin's goal, while U's keeper made two good saves, the second rescuing a mistake by Michael Hunte as he left a headed pass back to McLoughlin short of its target. Joseph had a shot saved on a rare U's attack, but with sixteen minutes left Leatherhead got the goal they deserved when a left wing cross was deflected in, and they went close to forcing extra time on two occasions as U's just about held on.

A hard fought contest against an experienced Chalfont side ended all square with both sides having chances to grab the points. Tommy Kavanagh sent an early free kick just over, while Stefan Joseph was just too high with a header, while at the other end Joe McLoughlin made two good saves, one just after the half hour mark from a long range free kick. Daniel Harding was just wide with a volley, and Bentley Graham shot past the post early in the second half but the closest to a goal came when a Chalfont free kick came down off the underside of the bar before being cleared. Stuart Young had a late chance for U's when he lifted a shot over the advancing keeper but also over the bar, but it was the home side who finished on the attack as McLoughlin came off his line quickly to thwart one attack and then tipped over a glancing header with two minutes left.

Away to a flying start when Daniel Harding scored from close range after Harry Ottaway had knocked back a Stuart Young free kick, Sutton won fairly comfortably despite some scares either side of half time, and it took until the second half for further goals to come. Harding missed a chance to double his tally five minutes later when he dragged a shot wide after Ottaway had put him through, and towards half time Burnham showed their first real threat as Joe McLoughlin made two good saves and Michael Hunte's interception halted another break after a mistake by Daniel Gurney. Early in the second half Elliot Mitchell cleared off the line following a corner, and another corner swung in over McLoughlin to graze the post, but in the 66th minute U's scored a second when Young's pass gave Stefan Joseph the chance to shoot home as the defence looked for an offside decision. Tommy Kavanagh sent a shot just over before Ottaway increased the lead when he took advantage of a defensive mistake, and Joseph went close with a header before the end.

Harry Ottaway's hat trick enabled Sutton to take control of this Champions' Cup semi final at Tolworth against opposition who had to play an hour with ten men. Ottaway struck first in the 10th minute when his shot took a deflection and looped over the home goalkeeper after fine work on the right from Munir Dar and Yemi Oke had set up the chance. Joe McLoughlin had to make one good save from a 20 yard shot before Casuals had a player sent off for a two-footed tackle on Jamie Manning. Tom Kavanagh almost took immediate advantage with a dipping shot that was tipped over, and from the resulting corner Daniel Harding headed just over. Kavanagh then hit the post with a free kick before sending a low shot straight at the keeper, and the second half continued with U's on top but unable to add a second goal. They thought they might have a penalty when Stefan Joseph went down in a tangle with the keeper but having originally awarded a spot kick the referee changed his mind and gave a corner. Casuals almost snatched an equaliser on their first visit to the Sutton area when a header from a corner hit the post, but U's returned to the attack and after Harding had seen a close range shot blocked by the keeper Ottaway finally doubled the lead with a powerful shot in to the top corner after being set up by Harding. Three minutes later, though, Casuals were back in the game following a penalty awarded for pushing, and they almost levelled when a cross from the right deceived McLoughlin and bounced off the bar. However Stefan Joseph then went through one-on-one with the keeper and made no mistake to restore U's two goal advantage, and in the last five minutes Daniel Gurney prodded Gerald Akosa's chip past the keeper and Ottaway completed his hat trick from Kavanagh's pass.

While the first team picked up maximum points in the league at Tonbridge, the reserves made it a double but had to wait until extra time before Tommy Kavanagh's goal broke the deadlock to earn a place in the last eight of the Suburban League Cup and a tie away to either Boreham Wood or Leatherhead. It was a game that U's should have won without the need for the extra half hour having had the better of the game and missed a penalty, but Tonbridge also failed from the spot before Kavanagh's decider. The closest to a goal in the first half came when Yemi Oke hit the post from close range after Jonny Humphreys had crossed low and hard, and Daniel Harding's follow-up was cleared by a defender. Harding also had two shots saved by the impressive visiting keeper, and early in the second half U's did scramble the ball over the line but were penalised, possibly for pushing. Apart from one series of corners for Tonbridge U's continued to have more of the play and their big chance came when Sam Stannard was pushed in the back, but Harding's penalty was saved. Kavanagh then hit the bar from a free kick and Harry Ottaway, returning to U's colours as a second half substitute, headed just wide from Oke's cross. Having dominated normal time, U's almost found themselves trailing in extra time when Harry Scola was penalised for handball, but debutant goalkeeper Matthew Mann made a fine save from the penalty and the breakthrough finally came with twelve minutes left when Stannard headed back a cross from the right and Kavanagh headed in from close range. Kavanagh's afternoon ended on a lower note, however, when he was sent off in the last minute for a second bookable offence

Sutton moved in to second place in the Suburban League table with a deserved victory of which the only drawback was the sending off of Yemi Oke midway through the second half. Sutton started strongly and had the boost of an early goal when Daniel Harding bundled in Oke’s cross at the far post after just four minutes, but Ash looked immediately to get back, having a penalty appeal turned down and then forcing Joe McLoughlin to turn away a 20 yard shot. U’s were largely in control on a difficult surface, though, and Tommy Kavanagh had a long range shot saved. Two minutes after half time they extended their lead when Stuart Young’s corner was cleared back to him and he crossed for Sam Stannard to head in at the far post. Oke was shown a red card in the 64th minute following a clash with a defender, who was booked, and the home side took advantage to pull a goal back when a right wing cross was volleyed home, but U’s held on with no further alarms against some increasingly physical tactics.

Sutton bounced back from the disappointment of Wednesday’s County Cup defeat to beat Burgess Hill more convincingly than the scoreline suggests, although the home side gave U’s a scare in the last ten minutes. Apart from one good save by Joe McLoughlin from a 20 yard shot U’s had the chances in the first half, and hit the post after just seven minutes through Stuart Young’s deflected free kick. Stefan Joseph then ran on to McLoughlin’s long clearance and had a shot diverted wide, Tom Hughes heading over from the resulting corner, and it was Joseph who looked the likeliest to score as he had two shots saved and then smacked a close range volley against the bar. Elliot Mitchell and Michael Hunte also went close before Hunte finally broke the deadlock a minute before half time with a curling shot from the edge of the penalty area that drifted over the keeper. The second half continued in similar vein as Daniel Harding headed against the outside of the post, but U’s had a scare when McLoughlin came off his line only to see the ball lobbed over him, but Sam Stannard was back to clear. Young then had a shot saved before teeing Hunte’s cross up for Harding to volley the second goal. Oscar Lubwama came upfeld to have a shot saved before with ten minutes left a speculative shot from near the halfway line caught McLoughlin out and gave the home side hope of a point which they almost rescued when a shot wnet just wide as U’s looked for an offside decision.

A strong second half performance eased Sutton through to a Surrey Premier Cup quarter final away to Metropolitan Police, proving too strong for a Leatherhead side based on their successful youth team of last season. Both sides came close early on, Joe McLoughlin tipping over a 25-yard shot and at the other end Stuart Young's shot parried by the keeper and Stefan Joseph hitting the side netting from the rebound. The first goal didn't come until twelve minutes before half time, however, when Sonni James returned Joseph's deep centre back across goal and Daniel Harding scored from close range. Just before half time, though, Leatherhead levelled when a shot was forced past McLoughlin, but U's regained the lead four minutes in to the second half when Harding cut in from the left and surprised the keeper from a narrow angle. On the hour James extended the lead with a powerful shot from the right corner of the penalty area, and Sam Stannard almost added a fourth when he headed wide following a corner. Leatherhead quickly pulled a goal back, but both Joseph and Harding might have restored the two goal margin before the visitors' chances were further hit as a striker was sent off for a second yellow card, and Bentley Graham finally put the tie beyond their reach from Young's cross five minutes from time.

Sutton were unfortunate not to take something from Saturday's game having looked the better side for long spells but being punished for lapses of concentration at the back. U's had the better of the early chances as Yemi Oke shot just wide and Stefan Jospeh saw a rising shot tipped over by the goalkeeper, while Daniel Harding had a goalbound header deflected just wide. Nine minutes before half time, though, the home side went ahead with their first real chance, catching Sutton on the break and a low cross being hammered in to the roof of the net. Basingstoke had far more of the second half and after a free kick had been headed just wide Matt Doyle made two good saves to keep the margin down to one goal, and although Liam Shirley's shot was deflected just over the home side did score a second goal with twenty minutes left, again after a quick counter attack when U's lost possession in midfield. Five minutes later Stuart Young reduced the arrears with a well placed cross shot, but with ten minutes to go a long free kick was converted by a home striker behind U's defensive line to restore the two goal advantage. Shirley, Oke and Joseph all went close to a consolation goal in the closing stages.

Two second half goals from Perry Langran were enough to give us a victory in a game where a nondescript first half gave way to something better after the interval. Ashford had the only two glimmers of a chance in the first half, with Joe McLoughlin making one save and another shot going wide, but two minutes in to the second half Sonni James had a 20 yard shot deflected for a corner, and from Jack Mesure's flag kick the ball dropped for Langran to score inside the six yard box. Oke soon had a shot cleared off the line before Langran doubled his tally when he met another Mesure cross with a sweet strike which gave the keeper no chance. Ashford fought back and McLaughlin just about kept the ball out in a scramble before they did pull a goal back in the 64th minute, but there were no further alarms for U's. Langran almost completed a hat trick when he headed Daniel Harding's corner wide, Harding also had a goal ruled out for offside and Oke was denied by a good save as U's finished the game on top.

After an early scare when goalkeeper Matt Doyle, signed from Colliers Wood, was delayed en route to the ground and arrived for his debut just ten minutes before kick off, Sutton started this game brightly with Stefan Joseph firing an early shot just wide from an angle, and they should have gone ahead in the 14th minute when Sam Stannard met Tom Hughes’ free kick with a volley which was tipped on to the bar by the home keeper, Yemi Oke blazing over from the rebound. Doyle’s first action came soon afterwards as he blocked a low shot, and he made two more good saves before the half hour mark while at the other end Oke and Stuart Young were both foiled by the Uxbridge keeper. Oke did eventually score, though, turning in Daniel Harding’s cross at the near post two minutes before half time. Liam Shirley almost added a second immediately with a 30 yard free kick, but Uxbridge came out strongly in the second half and after Doyle had made one flying save he was beaten as an attacker shrugged off Stannard’s challenge and rounded Doyle before scoring. Young and Bentley Graham both had shots saved in the last ten minutes but U’s could easily have lost in the closing stages as Uxbridge had strong penalty appeals turned away as Hughes appeared to pull back a home player, and substitute Elliot Mitchell clearing off the line in injury time.

Sutton’s reserves recorded their biggest win of the season in an eventful game, taking just two minutes to go in front when Yemi Oke turned in Stuart Young’s corner and soon doubling their lead when Stefan Joseph powered in a header from Daniel Harding’s cross. Oke then had a header ruled out for offside but in the 16th minute he put Joseph through to slide the ball past the oncoming keeper. There was then a hold up as the referee had to be replaced due to injury, and U’s then lost Daniel Gurney, and seemed slightly unsettled as Three Bridges pulled a goal back with a header from a corner. Oke turned a Young cross just over but then Liam Shirley restored the three goal advantage with a low shot from just inside the area, and Oke made it 5-1 with a header from a corner. Just before half time the Sussex side pulled another goal back from a rebound after Joe McLoughlin had pushed out an angled shot, but there was still time for Young to hit the post before the break. Immediately after the interval another corner ran through to Sam Stannard, who slammed the ball in to the corner of the net, and Michael Hunte then got in on the act as he scrambled the ball in following a Young free kick. Stannard struck again just after the hour mark when he tapped in after Young’s 30 yard free kick had been parried, and twelve minutes from time Oke completed his hat trick from Joseph’s cross. Double figures were reached five minutes from time as Jonjo Earl cut in and hit a rising shot in to the far corner, and before the end Joseph should have joined Oke with a hat trick but headed wide from six yards from Oke’s cross.

Neither side could break the deadlock in a tight game at Croydon Athletic, although Sutton's second half performance saw them a little unfortunate not to take all three points. U's almost scored with their only serious effort of the first half, Sam Stannard's haeder clipping the top of the bar from a Stuart Young corner, while Joe McLoughlin's only actionwas to go down low to save a 20 yard shot. In the second half Daniel Harding tested the keeper from long range and then set up a chance for Yemi Oke, who shot wide, while Tommy Kavanagh had claims for a penalty turned aside when he seemed to be brought down. As U's continued to have the better of things the Wimbledon keeper saved twice from Oke, and Charlie Ottaway curled a free kick just wide, but in the last five minutes McLoughlin had to make a good instinctive save in a goalmouth scramble, and another shot from the edge of the area went just too high. It was U's who almost had the last word, though, as Stefan Joseph's shot was saved.

After a central role, albeit with mixed fortunes from the penalty spot, in Wednesday’s youth team victory, Stuart Young converted another spot kick that proved to be the only goal of this league game. It was a game that U’s largely dominated, and after Tom Kavanagh had sent an early shot over the bar the decisive moment came in the 19th minute when Bentley Graham was tripped and Young made no mistake from the spot. Two minutes later Stefan Joseph’s shot was tipped over, and he also had a goal disallowed for offside before half time while Tom Hughes volleyed over from a corner. Tonbridge’s keeper did well again in an early second half goalmouth scramble, and Daniel Gurney fired a free kick just wide as U’s continued on top after the break, but their failure to score a second goal almost cost them as Tonbridge enjoyed their best spell near the end, Joe McLoughlin making one superb late save, and what the visitors thought was an equalizer ruled out for a foul in the build up.

Two sides who began the day in the top four produced a game of few chances, but it was Sutton who had the best opportunity in the first half when Jack Mesure's shot from the edge of the penalty area was handled, but Mesure's low penalty was saved. That was the second time the keeper had denied Mesure, an earlier save keeping out a header, while Tom Hughes and Yemi Oke also had early efforts blocked away. In the second half Hughes was in more famliar role, bravely blocking a goalbound shot, while Joe McLoughlin had to parry a 20 yard effort, but otherwise there were few moments when the deadlock looked likely to be broken.

Sutton were thrown off their stride before the kick off when Tom Hughes suffered an allergic reaction in the dressing room and had to be taken to hospital as a precaution, although he had recovered later in the evening. Perry Langran took his place in the starting line-up, but the first half hour provided little incident. Sutton then took control, though, with a burst of four goals in fourteen minutes either side of half time.Stuart Young set them on the way when he cut in from the right and curled a shot beyond the goalkeeper, who got a hand to the effort but couldn't keep it out. Five minutes before half time Sam Stannard struck a low half volley from the corner of the penalty area which went in off the far post, and two minutes later Daniel Harding headed in Bentley Graham's cross, reaching the ball just before the keeper. Half time brought little respite for Ashford, who were soon four down as Jack Mesure drilled home a low shot, and on the hour Daniel Harding repaid the earlier compliment by putting Graham through to cut in from the left and fire in to the net. Graham was very close to his second when he thumped a shot against the underside of the bar, and Jimmy Harding had a shot saved at full stretch. U's could even afford to miss a penalty, Tom Kavanagh's spot kick saved after Stannard had been brought down, and four minutes from time Joe McLoughlin, who had been forced in to action just once in the second half, did have to pick the ball out of his net as a cross was converted by a looping header, but U's did have the final word when substitute Yemi Oke scored a fine solo goal after dispossessing a defender.

Sutton eased to victory in rainswept conditions against a young Burnham side who responded with spirit to being four goals down at half time. Daryl Swaby set U’s on their way after seven minutes when he turned and sent a low shot past the keeper, and apart from an early scare when Joe McLoughlin had to come outside his area to kick clear from a striker who had beaten the offside call it was virtually one way traffic, with Tom Hughes heading just wide from a corner, Daniel Harding’s shot deflected wide off a defender and Tommy Kavanagh volleying Stuart Young’s cross wide. Swaby had a long range shot tipped over, but the goals finally flowed in the last eight minutes of the half as Daniel Harding volleyed in after Sam Stannard had headed down Young’s corner, Young himself then curled a delightful shot in after cutting in from the left and, after having a shot cleared off the line, Harding scored his second with a close range finish after Young had squared Swaby’s pass across goal. He might have claimed a hat trick early in the second half when his fine run ended with a shot that was blocked on the line by a defender, and Swaby dragged a shot wide, but Burnham responded with a spectacular goal fired in from all of 35 yards, and another dipping shot from the edge of the area that McLoughlin had to move quickly to keep out. The last five minutes saw U’s add to their lead, though, through two of their substitutes as Jack Mesure crashed home a shot from just outside the penalty area, and Elliot Mitchell scrambled the sixth over the line after the keeper had parried Mesure’s shot.

A strong second half performance wasn't enough to rescue a point from a game that was high on effort from both teams but low on goalmouth action. Uxbridge took the lead from the game's first attack when a cross from the right was headed in at close range, and despite fighting hard to get back it wasn't until three minutes before half time that Daniel Harding scored the equaliser as he turned inside after receiving a throw-in on the left and shot low past the keeper. Crucially, though, U's conceded the lead before the interval as Joe McLoughlin had failed to collect a cross from the left and a shot from an angle beat the defenders on the line. U's attacked for most of the second half, but Daryl Swaby and Jamie Bolar both had shots saved, and the closest to an equaliser was when Tommy Kavanagh's deflected free kick went just wide of the post. However despite dominating much of the second half U's couldn't force the second goal and it was McLoughlin who saw the game's last action as he saved a long range shot.

Tooting's reserves gained a measure of revenge for their first team's FA Trophy defeat, holding on despite a strong comeback from Sutton which almost saw the points shared. Tooting went ahead after just two minutes following an attack down the left and a near post finish, and forced Danny Bracken in to another save before Steve Karani equalised when he headed in Jimmy Harding's free kick. Tooting didn't take long to regain the lead, though, this time with a well taken individual goal from another left wing attack, and but for two good saves by Bracken they would have been further ahead at half time. Four minutes in to the second half, though, they did grab a third with a close range volley, only for U's to reply within a minute as Jeffrey Jackson marked his debut by heading in at the far post after his first effort had been blocked. Daryl Swaby might have joined him on the debutants' scoresheet but his curling shot was saved, and it was still Tooting who created more chances and midway through the half they had restored the two goal advantage. Seven minutes from time Daniel Harding's deflected shot brought U's back to within a goal, and then he and Jack Mesure went very close in the last two minutes to snatching a draw which would have been harsh on Tooting, who deserved the win.

Having ridden their luck to reach half time level, Sutton battled hard in the second half to bring all three points back from Kent, surviving the last few minutes with ten men after substitute Perry Langran had been sent off. An early mistake by Joe McLoughlin wasn't punished as the striker to whom he gifted the ball blazed it over the bar, and Jimmy Harding cleared a header off the line as the home side dominated the early exchanges. McLoughlin was out quickly to dive at a forward's feet to avert more trouble before U's first attack saw Daniel Harding's shot blocked aftera good run. In the 27th minute, though, Tonbridge got the goal they'd threatened in a scramble following a left wing corner, but U's finished the half strongly and after going close with one quickly taken free kick, Tommy Kavanagh equalised three minutes before the interval when from a similar position he curled a superb free kick over the wall and under the bar. Tonbridge continued to have the better of things early in the second half, though, and after one speedy break on the right a shot hit the outside of the post, but U's came in to the game more and after Joe Harvey had seen a shot saved, the winner came 18 minutes from time when Kavanagh took advantage of a defensive mistake and set up Steffan Joseph to volley past the keeper who got a hand to the shot but couldn't keep it out. Daniel Harding then had a goal ruled out for an infringement that wasn't obvious, and with seven minutes left Langran, who had been booked within two minutes of coming on as a half time replacement for Jonjo Earl, received a second yellow card for a rash challenge but U's were able to hold on for the points.

Three second half goals eased Sutton to victory at Gander Green Lane after Jonjo Earl's effort on the stroke of half time had cancelled out Ash's lead. A scrappy first half contained little of note until the visitors went in front after 28 minutes with an angled shot from close range, but after Tommy Kavanagh had seen his shot on the turn land on the roof of the net Earl struck a fine equaliser, his low 25 yard volley beating the keeper. U's improvement continued after the break and Daniel Harding fired just over after a good run and then hit the outside of the post from a rebound after Jonny Humphreys' shot had been parried. Just after the hour, though, Harding's persistence was rewarded as he created space before shooting home from just inside the penalty area. Two minutes later substitute Steve Karani marked his debut with a stylish volley that was deflected past the keeper, and he then helped create the fourth goal seven minutes from the end, combining with Harding before the ball fell for Humphreys to score from eight yards. Ash finished strongly and had a several openings, Joe McCloughlin making two good saves having earlier been grateful to Charlie Ottaway for clearing after he had fumbled a shot, but Harding missed a good late chance to extend U's lead.

Sutton fielded a team containing a number of first team regulars, and raced in to a two goal lead within twenty minutes, but they had to settle for a draw as Corinthian Casuals staged a secind half comeback, catching Sutton on the break as U's pushed forward looking for further goals. It took just 33 seconds for Sutton to score, Dean Palmer firing home form twelve yards after Matt Hann had pulled the ball back, and Gavin McCallum almost added a second with a low 25 yard shot. Casuals then had chances of their own and a shot from outsude the penalty area thumped against the bar with Danny Bracken beaten. U's scored a second, though, when Hann angled a shot in after cutting in from the right. McCallum then went close on several occasions, his low header pushed away by the keeper via the post before another header went wide and a 20 yard effort tested the keeper again. Palmer almost made it 3-0 early in the second half, the keeper back-pedalling to tip the ball over the bar, but just after the hour Casuals had a goal back when a cross was allowed to bounce across goal before being turned in at the far post. Eighteen minutes from time it was all square after an attack down the right ended with a shot being swept past Bracken, and U's keeper had to make a good save five minutes later to prevent Casuals taking the lead, while U's only chance of a winner fell to Tommy Kavanagh, who shot wide after Steve West had headed a centre from the left back across goal. On a positive note Tom Hughes came through 90 minutes after his recent injury.

Sutton recovered from trailing 2-0 five minutes before half time to sweep their Sussex hosts aside in the second half. Even in a goalless first half hour there were chances at both ends, with U’s going closest when Yemi Oke’s close range shot was blocked by the home keeper and from the rebound Tommy Kavanagh’s header was cleared off the line. Joe McLoughlin had had an early escape when he misjudged a cross but a home striker headed the loose ball wide, but he recovered to make two good saves as Haywards Heath’s direct approach led to a couple of openings. Eight minutes before half time, however, a long throw bounced across the face of goal before being turned in by an unmarked home striker, and three minutes later worse followed as McLoughlin was beaten again by a low shot after a striker had held off a challenge to reach a through ball. When Stefan Joseph’s volley was headed off the line two minutes later it looked as though it would be a frustrating day for U’s, but on the stroke of half time Oke scored from the rebound after Joseph’s header had again been blocked on the line. It proved a turning point as five minutes in to the second half Oke’s pressure was rewarded when a defender’s clearance rebounded off him in to the net, and on the hour Daniel Harding put U’s in front with a far post finish from Stuart Young’s low cross. As U’s now began to dominate Kavanagh rattled the bar with a volley before three goals in seven minutes put the game beyond doubt. Liam Shirley netted a penalty after a pushing offence, Daniel Harding burst through on the right to hammer a shot past the keeper, and completed his hat trick two minutes later from another low cross by Young. With five minutes left Harding had a fourth goal, meeting a cross from Jimmy Harding with a superbly executed scissors kick, but as U’s relaxed the home side scored twice in the last two minutes to make the scoreline more respectable.

Although two Yemi Oke goals hinted at a second half comeback, the task of hauling back a 4-1 half time deficit proved too strong against a lively Eastleigh side who lie second in the Suburban League. The home side went ahead after nine minutes with a shot which proved too strong for Joe McLoughlin, who could only help it in to the net. U’s recovered with a Tom Kavanagh free kick which went just over, and a chance for Daniel Harding which he put too close to the goalkeeper, while there were also claims for a penalty when Oke appeared to be pushed as he went for a cross, but just after the half hour Eastleigh went two up against the run of play as McLoughlin parried a shot out to a home striker who fired home the rebound, and it was soon three as a volley from just inside the area gave McLoughlin no chance. U’s pulled one back through Kavanagh’s curling 20 yard free kick two minutes before half time, but by the break Eastleigh had opened up a three goal gap again as a free kick deflected in to the path of a home player who scored easily. Chances came at both ends in the second half, Kavanagh having another good free kick saved, while Eastleigh missed a one-on-one chance, but just before the hour Daniel Harding put Oke through to reduce the arrears, and U’s then put the home side under pressure as two Stuart Young free kicks went close and debutant Liam Shirley volleyed over from a good position. When Oke volleyed a well-taken goal with eight minutes to go, there were real hopes that U’s might rescue a point, and Daniel Harding had another shot saved, but with four minutes left a quick attack found U’s defence short and the ball was fired past McLoughlin to put the game beyond reach.

Craig Dundas returned to the goal trail with a hat trick as Sutton cruised to an impressive win at Imber Court in an entertaining game. Chances came at both ends early on, with U's having more of them but Police coming closest to a goal in the 17th minute when a corner carried beyond the far post and an angled drive came back off the underside of the bar. Dundas, Billy Dunn, Tommy Kavanagh and Daniel Harding had all come close before that, and Dunn continued to threaten, shooting wide twice before having a goalbound volley blocked by a defender with Delando Smith putting the rebound wide. When Dunn did find the net, with a header from Stuart Young's free kick, his joy was cut short by an offside flag, but six minutes before half time U;s finally went in front when Dundas looped in a far post header from Young's corner. Steve McKimm then sent a 20 yard shot just over, but as Sutton finished the half in command they scored a second when Dunn combined with Oscar Lubwama before giving Smith the chance to weave his way in to the penalty area before firing home. Early in the second half Police hinted at a comeback as Joe McLoughlin went full length to tip away a well struck volley, and Charlie Ottaway cleared the danger after McCloughlin had dropped a high cross. U's survived the pressure, though, and after heading wide from a Young corner, Dundas doubled his tally when he turned Smith's cross in from close range. Sutton finished the game impressively, and Smith and Yemi Oke might have added to the score before Dundas completed his hat trick by guiding Young's cross past the keeper with five minutes left. Dundas was replaced a minute later, and his substitute Jimmy Harding almost scored within a minute as his header was well saved, while Oke and Smith both shot wide in the last two minutes.

Two defensive mix ups just before half time proved costly for Sutton in an entertaining game that enabled Basingstoke to move above U's in to third place in the league table. From the start there were chances at both ends, with Billy Dunn in lively form for U's and unlucky not to have a hat trick inside half an hour. He came closest when his chipped cross from the left beat the keeper and was cleared against hs own cross bar by a defender, but he also had three shots well saved and sent another just wide of the post. At the other end Joe McLoughlin had an early escape when he slipped on the greasy surface as he came out to clear, but the visiting striker could only hit the side netting. Just after the half hour, though, he flapped at another through ball and this time the Basingstoke player slotted it in to the unguarded net. Six minutes later a mix up between Perry Langran and Aaron Guiver left a visiting forward in the clear again to make it 2-0, and early in the second half McLoughlin had to make two good saves to keep U's in the game. U's had a chance to get back when the keeper was penalised for picking up a pass, but Dunn's shot was deflected wide and Charlie Ottaway volleyed just off target from the resulting corner. They did pull one back, though, when the keeper failed to collect a through ball on the edge of the area and Daniel Harding chipped it over him in to the net. Basingstoke almost restored the two goal advantage when McLoughlin saved well with his legs but the rebound was headed against the post, but U's also struck the woodwork, Dunn again unlucky as he lifted Tommy Kavanagh's pass over the keeper but on to the post. Daniel Harding then headed just wide from a Dunn cross, and Dunn had another shot following a fine run saved as the visitors just held on for the points.

Billy Dunn's half hour hat trick in the first half set up a comfortable win on Tuesday against a Burgess Hill side who replied with two late penalties. They had the first chance when a shot from the right went just wide, but after seven minutes Dunn ran on to Tom Kavanagh's pass on the left and cut in before shooting low in to the net. Seven minutes later he had doubled the lead, this time after a long clearance from Joe McLoughlin caught the Burgess Hill defence square and allowed Dunn to go round the keeper before scoring. The visitors had another chance when a close range volley was blocked, but then Dunn turned provider with some good work on the left before cutting the ball back for Sam Deas to score. Eight minutes before half time Dunn had completed his hat trick, volleying in after Kavanagh's cross had come back off the crossbar. The second half continued in similar fashion, with Jimmy Harding's run and cross on the right setting up the fifth for Daniel Haeding, and Kavanagh then just off target from twenty yards. Jimmy Harding's foul then gave Burgess Hill a chance to pull one back from the spot, and right on time, just after a fine double save from McLoughlin, they converted another penalty after Oscar Lubwama had been penalised for pushing.

A hard fought game ended with Wealdstone continuing their fine start to the season but being made to battle all the way by U's, who reacted to going a goal down after only seven minutes by equalising immediately. The Wealdstone goal came when an attacker nipped in to head over Danny Bracken as the keeper came to collect a deflected cross, but two minutes later Stuart Young's corner was headed by a defender in to his own net to level the scores. Daniel Harding hit the bar with a fierce shot as U's enjoyed the better of the first half, with Billy Dunn also denied twice by the goalkeeper, but just before half time Wealdstone went back in front with a neat finish after the forward had timed his run well to leave him clear. Four minutes after the break the lead was increased as a low cross following a corner was turned in from close range, and this time Wealdstone went on to create several more chances, coming closest with a shot that came back off the bar. U's were handed a lifeline with twelve minutes left when Young's shot was handled and he converted the penalty, but Bracken immediately had to make a very good save before U's lost Charlie Ottaway, sent off for two yellow cards in the space of two minutes. Even so, they nearly grabbed a point when Oscar Lubwama's header wasn't far away from giving him a debut goal.

Delando Smith's header twenty minutes from time was enough to enable U's reserves to put Saturday's setback at Dunstable behind them and record a morale boosting victory, although for the second game running U's did miss a penalty. Although played at a good pace there was little in the way of goalmouth incident, particularly in the first half, when Stuart Young's early free kick that was turned away by the keeper at full stretch was the closest either side came. Dons did have one shot in to the side netting, and early in the second half forced a succession of corners, although nothing of note came from them and Joe McLoughlin dealt comfortably with the one shot that was on target. Bentley Graham headed just wide from Smith's free kick, but the decisive moment came when Billy Dunn went down the left and crossed to the far post where Smith headed powerfully home. Five minutes later Dunn had the chance to put the game beyond reach when he was brought down, but his penalty was saved by the keeper to his left. Dons' almost equalised with a looping header that hit the top of the crossbar, but Dunn again went close before the end with a low shot just wide.

Despite encountering traffic problems which caused a delayed kick off, Sutton seemed to be well on the way to a victory against last season's North Division champions, but the home side battled back to edge ahead, with Bentley Graham's missed penalty wasting U's best chance of salvaging a draw. The early disruption appeared to have no effect on U's as Billy Dunn and Jimmy Harding both struck superb shots from outside the penalty area that put them two up with nine minutes gone, and they might have had another one as the home goalkeeper made a good save from Daniel Harding and then denied Ivan Dos Santos, the elder brother of Jerson, a debut goal from the resulting corner. Dunstable pulled one goal back midway through the half and it took a fine save from Danny Bracken to keep U's ahead at the break, although at the other end Yemi Oke had a shot well saved. Frankie Greene missed a fine chance early in the second half as he ran on to Jimmy Harding's pass but slipped as he tried to round the keeper, and just before the hour the game was all square as a free kick was met at the far post by a side-footed finish. Jimmy Harding shot over as U's almost regained the lead immediately, but then a spell of Dunstable pressure saw Bracken save twice before another free kick was scrambled in to give them the lead. U's chance of equality came when Jonny Humphreys was brought down, but Graham's penalty was saved and as U's pressed forwards late on Dunstable might even have scored a fourth on the counter attack.

After a convincing win on Saturday, Sutton's reserves had to settle for a draw at Whyteleafe on Tuesday with neither side able to break the deadlock in a scrappy game. Joe McLoughlin made one good early save to turn aside a well struck free kick, while just before half time Jimmy Harding flashed a shot across the face of goal. U's might also have had a penalty when Daniel Harding's cross struck a defender on the arm, but having awarded the spot kick the referee changed his mind on the advice of an assistant. They again had claims when Tom Kavanagh appeared to be brought down but play was waved on. McLoughlin had an early scare in the second half when a cross from the right landed on top of the net, and ten minutes from time a Whyteleafe free kick was curled just hight and wide, but at the other end Daniel Harding shot over from close range after Yemi Oke's shot had been parried, and Oke sliced another chance wide after a cross had fallen for him, but it was substitute Billy Dunn who came closest to snatching a winner when his low shot a minute from time was tipped away at full stretch by the keeper.

A hat trick on his debut from Yemi Oke enabled Sutton’s reserves to begin the season with a comfortable win over promoted Chalfont, who had shocked U’s with a goal inside the first minute, a corner being headed in unchallenged. Oke, who was leading scorer for Blackfield & Langley in Division One of the Wessex League last season, opened his account in the 13th minute as Daniel Harding, also making his debut, crossed for him to turn the ball in and from that point U’s were in control. Bentley Graham missed a good chance after a mistake by the keeper, but U’s went in front on 25 minutes when Tom Hughes headed in Jack Mesure’s cross after Graham’s free kick had been cleared. Just after the half hour Graham went close again when his shot was well saved, and Tom Kavanagh’s follow up effort was spectacularly cleared off the line. Hughes put an unmarked header wide from the resulting corner, and Stuart Young also shot just wide, but within the first five minutes of the second half Oke had sewn the game up by completing his hat trick, first with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area after being set up by Sam Deas, and then a low header from Young’s cross. Dan Harding might twice have added to the lead, but the closest to a fifth goal came four minutes from time when Billy Dunn’s shot hit the bar and bounced down before being cleared, the assistant referee ruling that the ball hadn’t crossed the line.