After a generally successful pre-season campaign, new manager Matt Gray takes charge of Sutton in a competitive game for the first time on Saturday when the 2019-20 Vanarama National League season opens, with U’s facing one of the longer trips of the season to face Hartlepool United.
After two mid table finishes following their relegation from the Football League, Hartlepool supporters are optimistic of launching a more concerted promotion challenge this season, and manager Craig Hignett has made several additions to the squad during the summer. Best known to U’s supporters will be Gime Toure, who spent the second half of last season with Sutton before moving north, while goalkeeper Ben Killip has joined from Braintree, defender Michael Raynes has joined permanently after an initial loan spell last season, and Gus Mafuta was signed from promoted Salford. Last week defender Romoney Crichlow-Noble signed on a season long loan from Huddersfield. However another player who made a loan move permanent in the summer, Luke Molyneux, is one of three players likely to miss tomorrow’s game through injury, with Ryan Donaldson and Josh Hawkes also doubtful.
Sutton have one confirmed absentee, with Craig Eastmond suspended as he carries over the two match ban that he picked up for being sent off against Maidstone on Easter Monday, but otherwise Matt Gray should have a full squad o chosse from, with Rob Milsom having signed this week after impressing at left back while on trial in the friendlies.
Sutton are unbeaten in all four games against Pools so far, although three have been drawn. The one that went Sutton’s way was in the north east last season when second half goals from Tom Bolarinwa and Eastmond turned a 2-1 deficit in to a 3-2 win, Aswad Thomas having given U’s the lead in the first half. At Sutton it was Hartlepool who came from behind to draw 2-2 after Roarie Deacon and Toure, with what proved to be his last goal in Sutton colours, had given U’s a 2-0 lead.
Full travel and ticket details are here, and you can see Matt Gray looking forward to the weekend here.
Supporters who can’t travel to the game tomorrow can follow live commentary on our Mixlr channel from 3pm.
