Sutton’s hopes of lifting the National League Academy Cup were dashed by defensive mistakes and a lack of cutting edge in front of goal as FC Halifax Town held off a late flurry of Sutton pressure, substitute Liam Moore’s superb free kick not enough to prevent the cup going to Yorkshire.

Sutton started brightly as Rashaad Drysdale saw a low deflected shot pushed away by goalkeeper Kobe Mathers, but U’s were rocked in the 17th minute when Hamza Hamdosh put Adam Reeves under pressure on the edge of the Sutton penalty area and won possession before setting up Luke Brooks to drill a low shot past Klevis Muca.

For a while Sutton were on the ropes as Barney Wiggin drew a good save from Muca and Hamdosh hit the side netting, but U’s recovered and Reeves couldn’t quite make contact in the six yard box when a cross was headed back.

Just before half time a fine challenge from Luke Ashburn blocked another Hamdosh effort, and at the start of the second half Muca made a crucial intervention when he was off his line quickly to save from Olaf Fingury.

After that early scare Sutton enjoyed a good spell as Omolotani Bello volleyed over from a George Vorster cross and Kai McKenzie saw a low shot saved. On the hour U’s made a double change, Mehmet Halim and Liam Moore replacing McKenzie and Ashburn but before the changes could take effect Noah Nzuzi, who had dropped in to Ashburn’s defensive position, was too casual with a pass to Muca and Wiggin got to the ball first and shot in to the empty net.

Almost immediately the substitutes did combine as Halim just failed to make contact with Moore’s pass over the top, and although Muca had to save shortly afterwards from Lewis Barlow it was Sutton who piled on the pressure to try and rescue the situation. Moore saw a low shot saved, with Halim forcing the rebound back to Drysdale whose shot flashed across goal.

Three minutes from time Moore gave U’s hope with a brilliant 25-yard free kick which found the top corner of the net, and in the closing stages, including a less than generous five additional minutes, Sutton should have equalised as Drysdale saw a close range shot blocked and Halim headed over from close range from Callum Lee’s cross, but the second goal proved elusive and it was Halifax who lifted the cup.

Sutton: K Muca, B San Norton (sub C Lee 67) G Katana, R Ruiz, A Reeves, L Ashburn(sub L Moore 61), R Drysdale, N Nzuzi, K McKenzie(sub M Halim 61), G Vorster(sub T Bamidele 82), O Bello(sub B Sheargold 67). Booked: Nzuzi

FC Halifax Town: K Mathers, S Macsween (sub M Walker 74), K Ali (sub R Bartkiw 61), H Coates, F Blenkinsop, S Erimator, L Brooks(sub L Barlow 65), O Fingury, B Wiggin, T Ashagre, H Hamdosh (sub S Finch 61) Booked: Hamdosh, Eriamator, Wiggin, Barlow

Referee: Callum Johnson

The result compounded a disappointing afternoon for Sutton, with Dartford’s win over Maidenhead giving them the South Division title, but U’s do have one game left this season and will play Welling on Friday at Gander Green Lane, kick off 11.00am.

Photo Credit: Farouk Kigonya