Sutton slumped to a fourth consecutive home defeat in the Enterprise National League as Southend took a significant step towards securing their place in the end of season play-offs. It will have been frustrating for Sutton supporters that, having reached half time level despite being distinctly second best, U’s gave a better account of themselves in a more even second period but three goals in ten minutes, two of them among the softest U’s have conceded this season, allowed the visitors to cruise to victory.

With Brandon Njoku injured there was a start for Davide Rodari, while Hayden Muller replaced the suspended Charlie Bell and Toby Byron started the game in the left wing back position in which he impressed after coming on at Aldershot. However there was little opportunity for U’s to show as an attacking force in a first half that was played largely in their own half and they will have been relieved to reach half time without conceding. Gus Scott-Morriss, the free-scoring wing back whose goal had separated the sides at Roots Hall in December, had the best chance when a Harry Boyes shot diverted to him in the penalty area but he dragged his shot wide, although he would make amends later. Jack Sims twice saved from James Golding, while Scott-Morriss sent a shot just over following a corner and former Sutton loanee Charley Kendall flashed an effort just wide.

U’s replaced Rodari with Jayden Harris at half time, with Byron moving in to an attacking position, and having had very little attacking threat in the first half U’s started the second half in a more positive manner, soon winning their first corners of the game, but it was a short-lived relief for U’s supporters who within a ten minute spell saw Southend take unbreakable control. The breakthrough goal was a rare moment to forget for Sims as Kendall tried to apply a touch to Slavi Spasov’s harmless looking cross from the right at the near post, and although he failed to make contact it distracted Sims sufficiently for him to allow the ball through his legs in to the net.

Seven minutes later a cross from Boyes was inadvertently knocked back at the far post by Jake Taylor and equally inadvertently diverted in by Scott-Morriss, and within three minutes he had struck again, this time in superb fashion as he chipped a first time shot over Sims from just inside the penalty area after being set up by Spasov.

Sutton still had their moments, striker James Fennelow (above) showing up well as he became the latest academy player to receive a first team chance this season, almost exactly a year since he made his league debut at Ebbsfleet, and he, Jayden Harris and David Ogbonna all had shots blocked, but Southend were always in control and Sims needed to make a good save near the end to prevent Andrew Dallas adding to his fifteen goals this season, although had Dallas pulled the ball back Jack Bridge would have found it hard to miss.

Sutton: J Sims, K Donkor(sub D Urpens 67), B Topallaj, J Eccleston(Sub R Ruiz 82), E Pruti, H Muller, J Taylor, L Simper, D Rodari(sub J Harris H-T), D Ogbonna, T Byron(sub J Fennelow 64). Subs n/u A Reeves, D Cashman, C Haigh. Booked: Taylor, Harris.

Southend: C Andang-Ndi, G Scott Morriss(sub J Bridge 86), H Boyes, H Taylor, J Gubbins, J Golding(sub B Goodliffe 77), K Appiah-Forson(sub N Mawene 90), J Morton, S Spasov(sub A Dallas 77), S Austin, C Kendall(sub T Hopper 77). Subs n/u A Massey, O Coker. Booked: Gubbins

Referee: Harry Wager

Attendance: 3,711(1,420 away)

Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin