A stunning late strike from Hammersmith dumped Sutton United Women out of the League Cup, in a disappointing defeat for the U’s.
It was a quiet start to the first half, but with 10 minutes on the clock, Milly Cutler hit the crossbar following some brilliant footwork and control to dance between two players and give herself a sight of goal.
20 minutes later, Brianna Gilbert-Lawal showed incredible determination to chase down a ball over the top, beating the defenders to it, but could only hit the side netting from a narrow angle, around 6 yards out.
Through the first half, Hammersmith didn’t create a sight of goal but did look dangerous, their number 10 finding joy down the right, causing headaches for the Sutton defence, continuously advancing into dangerous positions. However, each time, she was met with a strong challenge in the box, preventing a shot.
It meant the game was goalless at the break, and after lethargic displays from both sides, the second half started with a bang thanks to a mistake at the back from Hammersmith, which gifted Sutton a golden chance to take the lead, but, somehow, Cutler’s shot was cleared off the line.
This didn’t appear to fade Hammersmith, though, registering their first shot on target moments later with a driven shot from outside the area, which forced a good save from Megan Taylor. The home side’s next chance was far more dangerous, after a cross from the right found number, 10, who peeled off her marker, controlling the ball coolly but couldn’t find the right connection for her strike, scuffing it into Taylor’s hands.
And 10 minutes later, number 10 was gifted another chance – Taylor spilling a cross from a kick which landed straight to the striker’s feet, who somehow couldn’t find the back of the net, firing it straight down Taylor’s throat.
After a barrel of Hammersmith chances, Sutton were then able to create a few of their own, swinging the momentum of the game back in their favour. It started with Cutler, who, on the turn, unleashed a strike from the edge of the area, but it was saved by the goalkeeper. Then, just minutes later, Emma Spear was put through on goal, and with only the goalkeeper to beat, she dragged her shot agonisingly wide of the post.
As the conditions got colder and the floodlights brighter, the game fell into a slight lull with neither side creating a sight of goal as the clock ticked down. However, with just minutes left, Hammersmith’s number 14 only needed a touch on the edge of the area before powerfully looping it over Taylor to win the game.
It means Sutton exit the League cup with their attention turning to the Capital Cup next week.
