A second half Ashley Nadesan double secured a third successive victory in pre-season, with a 2-0 win away at Chertsey Town.

After a goalless first half, which saw the hosts enjoy the majority of the chances, Sutton came out after the break with wholesale changes shortly before the hour-mark, and it was one of the incoming players who made the difference at Alwyns Lane. Fellow substitute Dillon De Silva was the architect of the U’s opener, racing down the left flank before sending a low cross into the path of the onrushing Nadesan, who calmly rolled the ball into the bottom corner, before making the win safe at the death after rounding Luke Wynne-Jones, making no mistake from close range to notch his third goal in two games.

Victory in Surrey sees the U’s maintain their 100% start to pre-season, and return home on the weekend with the visit of Crystal Palace’s Academy (3pm KO).

Taking place against a backdrop of Thorpe Park in the distance, it looked to be a rollercoaster of an affair at Alwyns Lane that almost saw the hosts get off to a lightning quick start, with the Southern League side going close just seconds after the opening whistle. Bill Montague let fly from the edge of the box and called Sutton’s backline into action early on, with the U’s able to deal with the home threat.

They were then offered a fortunate chance at an opener themselves as a Wynne-Roberts goal kick cannoned off a visiting player, and was relieved to see the ball fly away from goal as both sides looked to maintain their footing at Alwyns Lane.

Chertsey produced a golden opportunity against their National League opposition after five minutes, with Jermaine Green evading Jack Taylor and charging down the right flank before cutting it back to Bill Montague, who took his time to get the ball under control before seeing his effort blocked by Alex Kirk.

This preceded a similar run from Sutton’s Liam Vincent, who showed good pace to reach the byline before firing in a powerful cross that Chertsey dealt with, shortly before David Aziaya was called into action to deny Toby Little from close range.

With the U’s looking to keep a hold of their 100% record so far in pre-season, they began to navigate proceedings as the clock reached the quarter-hour mark, and led to Siju Odelusi trying his luck from range with a powerful, dipping effort that flew just off target.

A superb opening then fell to the hosts, who countered quickly through Gary Abisogun after Jayden Harris and Vincent had brilliantly combined down the left-hand side. After intercepting possession, Abisogun raced forward before cutting it back to Ollie McCoy, who’s dangerous effort clipped the crossbar.

Sutton responded well though and could have drawn first blood on two separate occasions in quick succession, both from Crichlow, who struck wide from close range before seeing another effort trickle off target moments later, and was followed by a superb chance for the Curfews minutes later as Toby Little drove down the left flank before drilling a low ball towards the far post, where Abisogun was unable to meet it.

A couple more chances for the Curfews then followed, with Vincent clearing a poor free kick as far as Little, who bent a vicious strike inches over the crossbar, shortly before another set piece opportunity from Abisogun flew over the top, closing out an end-to-end half goalless.

One change at the interval saw Will Tizzard replace Alex Kirk at the back, and the former Queens Park man was instantly called into action with a heavy challenge in an attempt to win back possession.

This preceded a couple of glorious opportunities for the hosts, with Little firing a venomous effort on goal that flew just wide of the far post, before Abisogun received probably the best chance of the evening as he forced Aziaya to tip his low shot onto the post, with Sutton eventually able to clear their lines after Montague came close with the rebound.

Further wholesale changes then saw the rest of the Sutton bench introduced with a little over half-an-hour to play, and soon resulted in the opening goal, as Nadesan notched his second goal in as many games.

De Silva brilliantly charged down the left flank at pace before cutting it back to the onrushing Nadesan, who found the space to slide the ball beyond Wynne-Roberts and break the deadlock with 20 minutes to go.

The U’s number ten could have then had a second moments later, forcing the Chertsey goalkeeper into a tremendous outstretched save to deny his powerful effort from inside the penalty area.

This preceded a half chance for the hosts with substitute Ben Gallagher heading off target in the Curfews’ search for a leveller, and almost saw the visitors condemn them a larger defeat when David Ogbonna raced forward before sending a deep cross towards the far post, where De Silva had the chance to turn from provider to scorer, getting the ball under control before sending a powerful drive over the crossbar.

With the clock ticking towards 90, Sutton did find a second goal out of nothing, with Nadesan rounding Wynne-Roberts to double their lead, making no mistake from close range to seal a 2-0 victory at Alwyns Lane.

Chertsey Town: Wynne-Roberts; Fisher, Birch, Casey, Montague, Green, McCoy, Abisogun, Little, Ridgley, William-Fernandes (Harrison 46’)

Sutton United (First Half): Aziaya; Eccleston, Kirk (Tizzard 46’), Taylor, Reeves, Vincent, Odelusi, Woodyard, Harris, White, Crichlow

Sutton United (Final 30) Sims; Jones, Phipps, Tizzard, Pruti, Vaz, Wadham, Simper, De Silva, Nadesan, Ogbonna

Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin