Aylesford 1 Sutton United 2

Not at top form, Sutton were a little fortunate to reach half time level as Aylesford hit the post with a long range free kick and saw an effort ruled out for handball, while Marni Humphries saved after a home striker had been put through but delayed her shot until she was surrounded by defenders. U’s also played for ten minutes a player short after Mia Knowlton South was sent to the sin bin for dissent.

A minute after half time, though,  U’s were in front as Wells met a cross from Chloe Francis with a deft downward header. The lead was short lived, as ten minutes later Aylesford were awarded a penalty after Eloise Williams fouled a home striker who seemed about to tap the ball in to the net after Humphries had pushed away a low shot from the left. Williams escaped with a yellow card as the referee ruled she had tried to play the ball, but the penalty was driven powerfully home.

After that it was a game in which Aylesford had the better of possession but Sutton came closer to scoring. Katie McIntyre and Wells were both denied by goalline clearances following a corner, and Wells and Khyri MacKenzie saw shots glance the top of the crossbar. The game seemed set to finish level, which would have been about right, but in stoppage time Wells was bundled over as Jaz Backhurst sent a free kick in to the penalty area, and it was Wells who drilled the penalty low to the keeper’s right to snatch the victory.

Sutton: M Humphries, M Knowlton South, J Backhurst, F Colepio, S Modak, K McIntyre, K Kabadaki, C Francis, A Bowles, D Wells, E Spear. Subs K McKenzie, E Williams, A Measures, T Hooper.

To complete a fine afternoon for Sutton the reserves won 2-0 away to Woking Development, and the development side beat Hersham 2-1 at the David Weir Centre.

Next Sunday the first team are at the VBS for a home game against Ashford United, kick off 2pm, and don’t forget that supporters can get a season ticket to cover ten home league games this season for just £20. They are available to purchase here, with match tickets for the Ashford game available here. The reserves are away to Milford and Witley, and the development side at home to Cranleigh at the David Weir Centre. Full details are on the relevant team page on the website.