Three goals in the last eleven minutes enabled Saltdean to repeat the scoreline of their win at the David Weir Centre in August, but it was a harsh reflection of the game for Sutton, who for long spells matched their hosts who have lost only once in the league this season. Indeed U’s came very close twice to equalising in the second half before the home team’s late goal rush enabled them to confirm the win that kept up their challenge at the top of the London & South East Regional League table, six points behind leaders Brentford but with three games in hand.

U’s gave a debut to new signing Nadia Sabania in midfield and in an even first quarter of the game there was little goalmouth activity at either end, Sutton defending well to prevent Saltdean creating anything clear cut. Megan Taylor did make one good save low to her left from a 20-yard shot, but there was little anyone could do about the opening goal ten minutes before half time when a cross-cum-shot from near the left touchline flew unstoppably in to the top far corner of the net.

Sutton responded with a Millie Cutler long range effort just wide, while the home goalkeeper was out quickly to dive at Emma Spear’s feet from a long ball, and then again reacted quickly to prevent Brianna Gilbert-Lawal reaching a fine pass from Amy Warren.

Taylor saved well again early in the second half when a left to right move ended with a fierce shot which was beaten away by the U’s keeper, but Sutton then enjoyed a good spell and almost equalised when Warren’s interception sent the ball forward to Cutler, who beat one defender and sent in a shot which was parried by the keeper, who then did enough to force substitute Sarah Chapman to put the rebound over the bar.

Fifteen minutes from the end U’s came even closer from Phoebe Langley’s corner as Ella Meehan’s header was blocked and Cassie Chase’s follow up volley was stopped on the line by a defender who seemed to know little about it. Instead of being level, U’s soon found themselves two down, ironically from a corner which bounced around the six yard box before being forced in.

Four minutes later a Saltdean player pounced on a misplaced pass just outside the centre circle and arrowed the ball over Taylor for a spectacular third, and with two minutes left a low left wing cross was turned in at the near post to produce a final scoreline that didn’t really represent the game.

Sutton: M Taylor, L Dunne, E Meehan, M Heavingham-Ford, A Warren, N Sabania, E Spear, B Gilbert- Lawal, M Cutler, H Baptiste, E Clark. Subs all used B Humphrey, P Langley, S Chapman, C Chase, B Olumodeji.

Beth Humphrey (left) returned to first team action after injury as a second half substitute to round off a good week in which she made her debut for the England Universities team in their 1-1 draw with England Colleges on Friday. Congratulations Beth.

 

 

The development side are ten out of ten in league games this season after their 3-1 win away to Merstham, with two goals from Ella Khaldoun and one from Tess Ciccardini. They now lie three points behind leaders Dorking Wanderers with two games in hand.