Sutton had the majority of the possession but had to settle for a draw against Aldershot, who took advantage of a slow Sutton start to take an early lead but then defended well with goalkeeper Louis Knight making several good saves in the first half.
Aldershot went in front in the 10th minute when Koby Kircher beat Tito Salaam in a challenge and went clear of the U’s defence, and although Klevis Muca pushed his shot away the rebound was converted by Gabriel Wall.
Sutton worked their way in to the game and George Vorster worked a shooting opportunity only for Knight to parry the effort and then also deny Kai McKenzie from the rebound, while Jayden Keteku sent a shot just wide of the keeper’s right hand post. Vorster drew another good save from Knight as U’s kept up the pressure, but in the second of eight additional minutes at the end of the first half, the majority due to Knight requiring treatment after falling awkwardly as he went to collect a cross, Dan Urpens found space on the right of the penalty area and crossed low for McKenzie to scramble the ball in, the ball crossing the line before an Aldershot defender could clear.
Sutton continued to have the better of things in the second half but for all their possession they rarely troubled the Aldershot keeper, the best chance possibly coming immediately after the restart when Tolani Bello intercepted a poor pass but a heavy touch allowed Knight to come out and save at his feet.
With Aldershot also struggling to create many chances of note as Sutton remained solid at the back there was little goalmouth activity at either end, but in the last of the ninety minutes Ronny Ruiz’s fine pass looked to have put substitute Rashaad Drysdale through until he was tripped by defender Riley Hadley, who was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity. The free kick came to nothing and despite another five minutes of stoppage time Sutton were unable to make the extra player count, Bobby Sheargold having one volley from the edge of the penalty area saved in the last action of the game.
Sutton: K Muca, D Urpens, A Reeves, T Salaam(sub C Lee 54), J Coombes, J Keteku, J Obarotimi(sub N Hepburn 57), R Ruiz, K McKenzie, O Bello(sub B Sheargold 78), G Vorster(sub R Drysdale 67). Sub n/u G Katana.
In Division F of the National League Youth Alliance Sutton were beaten 5-0 by league leaders Chatham at the Bauvill Stadium, with four goals coming in the second half.
Next week’s National League Youth Alliance games are away to Wealdstone in the South Division and at home to Dartford in Division F. Check the academy pages of the website nearer the time for venue details for both games.
Before that, this Saturday we are away to MK Dons in the EFL Youth Alliance having lost 3-1 at Luton on Saturday. All the goals came in the second half, with Jay Coombes equalising Luton’s opener before the home side struck twice more.
