Sutton fell to a narrow defeat against high-flying AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Youth Alliance, a determined U’s performance looking to have been rewarded by an equaliser with the last kick of the game but the home side reprieved by an offside flag that enabled them to claim a 12th consecutive
It was a tight game of few clear chances, and until the late flurry U’s best moment had come in the first five minutes when Rashaad Drysdale charged down the goalkeeper’s clearance, the ball diverting to Bello who created space for a shot that hit the inside of the near post and rebounded across the face of goal.
Drysdale sent another shot over the bar from just outside the penalty area, while at the other end Klevis Muca made a good save low to his left from a 20-yard shot, but the decisive moment came two minutes before half time when a low cross from the right was bundled in inside the six yard box.
The second half was similarly short on goalmouth action, Sutton defending well against a side that had scored four goals in each of their last four games, but apart from a couple of incisive runs from Jayden Obarotimi on the left that led to corners U’s also struggled to create clear chances.
The game did open out in the closing stages, and Bello volleyed over when the ball fell to him in the penalty area following a set piece, with Wimbledon then launching a counter attack that saw Muca come out of his area to try and clear, but the ball breaking to a Wimbledon player who, off balance, fired wide of a gaping goal.
With the game in the last of the five additional minutes, a long throw from Dan Urpens bounced around the penalty area and was eventually hooked in to the roof of the net by Bello, but U’s celebrations were cut short by an offside flag, the decision confirmed by the referee after a discussion with his assistant and the final whistle blown as soon as the free kick had been taken.
Sutton: K Muca, C Lee, A Reeves, J Coombes(sub G Katana H-T), D Urpens, D Ashia, R Drysdale(sub B San-Norton 66), R Ruiz, O Bello, B Sheargold(sub J Jenkins 78), J Obarotimi. Subs n/u H Boateng, T Boon.
This Wednesday U’s are away to National League Academy South leaders Southend United in the quarter finals of the League Cup. Kick off is 3pm at Garon Sports Park.
