Sutton qualified for the final of the National League Academy Cup with a fine victory away to a Slough team who had done the double over U’s in the South Division league games earlier in the season. U’s will play FC Halifax Town at St Georges Park in the final on Wednesday 20th May.

Showing just one change from the team that had won against Oxford City by the same score on Monday to go top of the table, with Ronny Ruiz replacing Derrell Ashia, Sutton were away to the perfect start with a goal inside two minutes as they launched a devastating counter attack following a Slough corner. Omotolani Bello came away with the ball before sending Rashaad Drysdale through on the left, and his low cross was turned in by Kai McKenzie.

Slough should have equalised when Ethan Mosdell misdirected a free header from a free kick, and Dan Urpens made a fine recovery tackle to deny Pedro Sami a way through after being dispossessed by the Slough player on the edge of the penalty area, the home team’s penalty appeals being turned aside. U’s went straight to the other end and Urpens was again the key figure, heading in from close range after goalkeeper Bob Honey had failed to deal with an Adam Reeves corner.

U’s should have had a third soon afterwards when Drysdale ran on to a long clearance from Klevis Muca and was brought down by Honey, but the keeper redeemed himself by diving to his left to save McKenzie’s penalty. As it was Slough could have reduced the arrears when Sav Shah was sent clear but Muca made a fine save to push the ball just wide of the post.

Sutton did extend the lead on the hour when again Muca sent a huge goal kick over the defence to find Drysdale, and this time he was halted by a Slough defender handling as he tried to turn inside. Drysdale assumed responsibility from the spot and made no mistake.

The winger came close to making it 4-0 with a snap shot that came back off the post, but Slough finished the game strongly and U’s had to deal with several crosses in to the penalty area before Frankie Phillips did give them hope five minutes from time when he collected Shah’s crossfield pass and drilled a low shot straight through Muca, but Sutton had enough in hand to see the game out and look forward to the final in May.

Sutton: K Muca,C Lee, L Ashburn, R Ruiz, A Reeves, D Urpens, O Bello, N Nzuzi, K McKenzie(sub J Fennelow 87), J Keteku(sub B Sheargold 77), R Drysdale. Subs n/u L Ginger, G Katana, G Vorster.

Earlier Dartford beat Southend 3-2 in a league game, leaving Sutton still at the top of the table with the top four sides covered by just three points in the table.

Also earlier in the day, Sutton recorded a 2-1 win in Division F against Dartford Reds, with goals from Ezekiel Yohannes and Alex Nako.