Wednesday 17th March - Ryman Youth League
Sutton United 3 Croydon Athletic 0
An excellent victory for Sutton against table toppers Croydon Athletic was closer than the score suggests but thoroughly deserved nonetheless. Goals from Bajrush Halili in the first half, followed by a late strike from Ope Fashoro and, when Fashoro was brought down by the keeper, another well converted penalty from Lewis Wilson sealed victory.
Sutton had the first chance of the game when Dan Faulkner knocked a high ball forward that Chris Sessegnon crossed first time, goalkeeper Prince Francis N’gokuiy dropped it under pressure but a Croydon player was first to it and put it out for a corner. Just before Sutton claimed the lead a Wilson corner gave Elliot Tomkins a free header as he found space in the penalty area but put it wide from 6 yards out. Halili claimed the first goal of the game when Wilson won the ball in centre midfield, played in Sessegnon who squared it for Halili to strike home having found space between the two centre backs. The lively Wilson could have extended the lead when Sessegnon shielded the ball well for him to get his shot off after N’gokuiy had punched out a Jordan Bird cross, but was off target. Croydon should have equalised when a deep cross into the Sutton box made it through to Steven Ibizingbe, he got a touch on the ball a mere 6 yards out but it was easily taken by Ben Clarke. Sessegnon was forced off after 30 minutes having dislocated his shoulder but Sutton kept up the pressure and Halili was unlucky when beating 3 defenders, but missing the target with his shot.
Dammy Bado raced down the wing early in the second half looking to get Croydon back in the game and his shot from 20 yards out was deflected wide off of his own player. Halili pounced on a defensive mistake from Hughie Samuels, chasing down the ball only for the defender's presence to be enough to put off the striker and the keeper claimed the ball. Croydon had plenty of possession through the second half but Sutton’s back line held firm and dealt with everything thrown at them. Fashoro, on as a substitute almost doubled the lead, but wasn’t able to quite get enough on a Bird corner and saw the ball skid wide. He made amends when the next corner came in by getting his header on target to beat the keeper through a crowd of players. The tie was sealed giving Sutton the advantage in the race for the league title when Fashoro got to the ball in the box ahead of N’gokuiy and was upended, giving Wilson the chance to claim his second penalty in 3 days which he calmly placed home in stoppage time.
Sutton: Ben Clarke, Elliot Tomkins, Jordan Bird, Dan Faulkner, Ryan Donachie, Kien Millington, Chris Sessegnon (Ryan Halls 31), Lewis Wilson, Bajrush Halili, James Page (Ope Fashoro 62), Lewis Lovelock. Subs N/U: Luke Farrer, Robbie Drewett, Perry Luckins.
Goals: Halili 14, Fashoro 84, Wilson 90.
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