Match Centre

Sutton suffered a first ever defeat to York City, who went to the top of the Enterprise National League table as they came from behind to grab all three points. The afternoon had started well for Sutton, who went ahead in only the 8th minute through defender Will Tizzard, but York equalised midway through the first half and the league’s leading scorer, Ollie Pearce, scored what proved to be the winner as the visitors started the second half much stronger than U’s, who battled throughout but were unable to force an equaliser although York goalkeeper Harrison Male was forced in to several good saves.

Besart Topallaj returned to Sutton colours in place of the injured Jack Taylor at the back while Charlie Bell was in midfield as Kai Jennings dropped to the bench, and Sutton made a fine start, unsettling York’s defence with some good pressing. They were rewarded when Lewis Simper’s corner from the right was headed away, but headed back in to the danger area by Hayden Muller and turned in by Tizzard. Despite remaining on the front foot, U’s were unable to add to Tizzard’s strike and midway through the half were pegged back. Again the goal came from a corner, U’s only clearing as far as Hiram Boateng on the edge of the penalty area, and he hammered a shot back through the crowded area and past Jack Sims, who would have seen it late.

Pearce showed signs of his goalscoring instincts when he swivelled to shoot just past the post soon afterwards, but with little to separate the sides Sutton also went close when David Ogbonna cut in to curl a shot goalwards only for it to be headed away from inside the six yard box.

York came out slightly early for the second half and within 25 seconds of the restart Josh Stones had sent a shot just wide. Almost immediately Alex Hunt found himself in space on the edge of the penalty area and sent a tame shot straight at Sims, but the pressure told when Dan Batty escaped U’s defence to collect a throw-in and send in a low cross on the volley that escaped Sims and was turned in at the far post by Pearce.

Sutton responded well to going behind, and York were grateful to Male for a fine double save as he kept out a low first time shot from Simper and also denied Brandon Njoku from the rebound (above). The keeper was in action again soon afterwards, saving Ogbonna’s shot after Simper and Njoku had combined to create the chance, but despite a promising twenty minutes on his debut from Dubem Eze U’s were unable to keep up the pressure and York always seemed to have enough to see the game out. They thought they should have had a penalty when Pearce went down as he tried to go round Sims, referee Aaron Jackson instead penalising the striker and booking him for simulation, and twice might have extended their lead before the end as Hunt saw a shot rebound from the foot of the post and substitute Jeff King, who had already scored at the VBS once this season while on loan at Boreham Wood, had a powerful effort turned aside by Sims.

Sutton: J Sims, J Eccleston(sub D Eze 70), B Topallaj, W Tizzard(sub A Jones 84), H Muller, Jake Taylor, C Bell(sub K Jennings 70), L Simper, B Njoku, J Harris(sub D Rodari 84), D Ogbonna. Subs n/u E Vaz, A Woodyard, C Haigh. Booked: Harris, Eccleston, Ogbonna, Eze.

York: H Male, Z Johnson, M Kitching, D Batty, C Howe, H Boateng, J Grey(sub J King 69), A Hunt(sub G Olley 69), J Stones, O Pearce, A Newby(sub B Brookes 87). Subs n/u R Fallowfield, C Hewitt, J Felix, G Sykes-Kenworthy. Booked: Pearce.

Referee: Aaron Jackson

Attendance: 2,414(480 away)