Sutton United’s women picked up a solid 2-0 win away at Sport London e Benfica in terrible conditions in Middlesex. Lucy Clark had a limited squad to choose from, with both Nadia Sabania and K’Shaela Burch-Waldron unavailable heading into the game leaving fifteen players available to take on a side who were looking for points to escape relegation in a close fight with Newhaven.
After a minute’s silence in memory of Oxford United player Amelia Aplin, who tragically collapsed and died during a game last week, the first half saw Sutton in control but unable to create enough chances with a strong wind against them. The one good chance early on came from a Phoebe Langley corner that Eden Clark met with her head but saw the ball bounce off the cross bar. The home side struggled to get a hold of the ball, Sutton with the lion’s share of possession, but their best chance was a high effort from Lily Rose-Dyer on 25 minutes. Sutton took the lead on the stroke of half time when Amy Warren was fouled on the edge of the penalty area as she tried to intercept a clearance, and Milly Cutler bent her strike over the wall to nestling in the bottom corner.
Sutton made a change in goal at half time, Lizzy Knight coming on for her debut after signing this week, and came out from the break with more energy, continuing to retain possession but meeting a strong Sport London é Benfica defence to begin with. Just before the midway point of the half, though, Emma Spear doubled Sutton’s lead as she brought down a header from Langley with a good first touch amid appeals for handball, and advanced in to the penalty area and drove a low shot into the bottom corner.
After that there were some notable incidents with Phoebe Langley booked and sent to the sin bin for dissent to the referee shortly after the second goal, and a member of the bench for Sport London é Benfica also saw yellow for marching around the pitch to complain to the assistant referee, with the referee informed of the actions and then issuing the yellow card to the member of the coaching staff.
In driving rain and strong winds, the rest of the match went without incident and Sutton claim back-to-back wins and clean sheets. The three points means Sutton are on thirty points in fifth place having already broken their league points record last week, two points behind Barking in fourth with two games in hand on the East London side.
Sutton: M Taylor, M Heavingham-Ford, E Meehan, E Oliver, B Humphrey, A Warren, E Spear, P Langley, M Cutler, B Gilbert-Lawal, E Clark. Subs all used L Knight, H Baptiste, L Dunne, C Chase.
Next Sunday the women’s team are at the VBS to take on league leaders Brentford, kick off 2pm.
After two draws, the development team returned to winning ways in emphatic style with an 8-1 defeat of Oxted & District. Becky Olumodeji led the way with four of the goals and there was one apiece for Ella Khaldoun, Ellie Moon, Abbie Measures and Sarah Chapman. They are away to Dorking Wanderers next Sunday at Oakwood Sports Centre, kick off 2pm.
Report: Ahmed Nur
