Sutton United’s 3-0 victory over Dorking was their second win in three days, with Glen Nichols stating “it was exactly what we wanted to do”.
It was a comfortable 90 minutes for Sutton, as they took the game away from Dorking after scoring twice inside the first twenty minutes through Ronny Ruiz and Kai McKenzie. Dorking were unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet early on in the second half after a shot which hit both posts seemed to cross the line, only for the referee to think otherwise. The Wanderers were then reduced to ten men after a challenge from behind on Bobby Sheargold earned a player a second caution of the game, and U’s then sealed the win with twenty minutes to go through substitute George Vorster.
Glen stated that it puts Sutton in a fantastic position when they face Dartford next week with the Kent side currently two points behind Sutton in the race for the title having played a game more.
The U’s were lucky enough to welcome back Dan Urpens and Ruiz who have recently had their break through with the first team. George Vorster, who has been enjoying his loan spell with Burgess Hill, was also named in the squad. Ruiz was involved immediately after his cross from the left missed McKenzie at the back post who didn’t commit enough towards the incoming ball. Sutton tested Dorking’s goalkeeper nine minutes into the game as a first time ball from Noah Nzuzi found Sheargold, who cut inside on the left side of the penalty area before his low effort was straight at the goalkeeper. Sutton were presented with another chance to break the deadlock minutes later as a wayward pass across Dorking’s half found Ruiz who played the ball into McKenzie before the striker’s attempt from the edge of the box was dragged wide.
Fifteen minutes into the game, Sutton scored the goal that they deserved as after McKenzie had won a free kick on the edge of the box, Ruiz placed it into the bottom left corner, Glen stating that the team were confident of Ruiz’s ability when he stood over the ball. Sutton doubled their advantage four minutes later after a low cross into the box from Sheargold was struck into the bottom left corner by McKenzie.
The hosts then had their first shot on goal as after the winger had turned his man on the by-line, he delivered a low ball into box which was hit over the bar at the near post. Sutton came close to adding a third shortly after, as when Omotolani Bello found himself on the right side of the penalty area, he attempted to play a pass to McKenzie, however, the Dorking defender was able to cut out the danger. Sutton created one more chance before the half-time whistle as a free kick from Adam Reeves was flicked into the side netting at the near post by Luke Ashburn.
Dorking tested Klevis Muca for the first time two minutes after the restart, as after Derrell Ashia was dispossessed in his own half, Muca slid off his line to clear the ball with feet, however the ball found its way back into the box and to an attacker whose shot was straight at the Sutton goalkeeper who pushed it away. Sutton were looking for their third as after a powerful run forward from Sheargold, he laid the ball off to Ruiz on the left side of the box who opened up his body to shoot first time, only for his effort to be blocked.
Three minutes later, Dorking felt they were on the wrong end of a decision when a player had a shot inside the box which hit the right post before going across and hitting the other post, before Muca got hold off the ball. Despite protests that it had clearly crossed the line, the assistant referee did not agree with the majority inside Meadowbank. Glen did say that those types of situations don’t faze Sutton’s rhythm. Sutton came forward again as Ruiz received the ball on the right side of the box before pulling it back to Urpens whose first time attempt was blocked.
With Dorking having one decision go against them, they were then reduced to ten men a minute later. The Dorking player was given his second yellow card for a challenge on Sheargold from behind. Both of his offences were on Sutton’s midfielder. Dorking struggled to test Muca throughout the game as their only other chance was a shot on the edge of the box which went over the bar.
With just over twenty minutes to play, Sutton’s substitutes made an impact as after Vorster had cut inside in the penalty area, his low shot was saved before Rashaad Drysdale converted the rebound from close range, only for the assistant’s flag to be raised. Three minutes later the same two players combined and this time the goal was a legal one. After a run in behind from Drysdale, the winger played the ball across the box for Vorster to put into an empty net. Glen stated that the substitutes have made a fantastic contribution within the last few games.
Sutton were hunting for a fourth within the last few minutes as a ball in behind from Nzuzi found Drysdale inside the box who cut the ball back only for no Sutton bodies to be there to capitalise. An identical passage of play followed minutes later, but this time Drysdale went for goal and his shot was blocked.
Sutton: K Muca, B San-Norton(sub C Lee 80), D Urpens, A Reeves, L Ashburn(sub T Salaam 53), N Nzuzi, D Ashia, O Bello(sub G Vorster 60), R Ruiz, B Sheargold(sub R Drysdale 60), K McKenzie(sub M Halim 65).
Sutton return back to EFL Youth Alliance action on Saturday as they play MK Dons. The U’s previously beat the Dons 2-0 in January. KO time and the location of this fixture is yet to be confirmed. Glen has said that he will be managing the load carefully before Sutton and Dartford go head to head next Wednesday at Princes Park. Jayden Keteku who was withdrawn early in the 4-2 win over Woking on Monday will be unavailable for the next few games, however, Glen has praised his maturity of coming off on Monday to avoid making the injury worse.
Report and Photo: Finlay Harris
