Sutton United are now within touching distance of National League Academy South leaders Southend United, closing the gap to a single point after a straightforward victory over the Shrimpers on Wednesday morning. It is now back to back clean sheets for the U’s after a game where  Southend struggled to create chances.  With six wins in a row across all competitions, Glen Nichols has stated that the team is  in “ a really good space”.

Southend’s opportunities throughout the game were limited, although Klevis Muca was involved twice within the first three minutes. The first of these came from a low cross inside the left channel which fell to an attacker on the edge of box only for the shot to be steered directly at Muca. The visitors’ second chance arose from a long throw,  a header from inside the penalty area caught by Muca.

The U’s got forward for the first time with Rashaad Drysdale’s clipped delivery spilled by the visitors’ goalkeeper, and despite Kai Mckenzie reacting quickest, his outstretched leg wasn’t able to direct the ball past the keeper. However, it would be Sutton to open the scoring. An Adam Reeves corner from the near side was met by Dan Urpens who guided his header into the far corner for his first goal of the season. After fifteen minutes McKenzie’s cross inside the penalty area found Jayden Keteku whose low strike was cleverly pushed away. Four minutes later, Ronny Ruiz found himself on the far side moving into the penalty area, but ultimately dragging his shot wide of the post.

Three minutes shy of the thirty minute mark, Sutton were frustrated by the referee’s whistle when a Southend corner was cleared to Drysdale, who poked the ball over the top to McKenzie, who applied a nudge in the back to the recovering defender which the referee did penalise. With Sutton profiting several times throughout the season from set pieces, they nearly benefited from another corner, this time from Ruiz whose ball towards the back post was headed into the side netting by Luke Ashburn.

Ten minutes from half time, Ruiz went close. A clearance from the visitors went only as far as the edge of the area, falling to Ruiz who caught it  perfectly on the volley, seeing his effort tipped away from the top corner. The final chance of the half saw Urpens nearly reaping the benefits from  another accurate corner delivery, however this time it came off his chest, just missing the bottom corner.

Sutton started the second half as they had the first, as four minutes after play had resumed a second Reeves corner was headed home by Keteku, who struck for the fifth time in five games. Just before the hour mark, half time substitute Noah Nzuzi played a delicious through ball from inside the centre circle for Drysdale to pounce on but although he placed the ball into the net,  the official’s flag was raised.

With just over twenty minutes to go, chaos erupted as a bouncing ball within the U’s danger zone  struck the arm of one of the Sutton defenders. The referee awarded a free kick, despite strong protests within the visitors’ dugout, who were adamant it was penalty. There was a brief stoppage of play in order for the referee to speak to his assistant and after a brisk conversation the original verdict stood. However Southend could not benefit from the free kick, as the first low effort hit the wall, and with the ball rebounding back to the attacker, his second attempt went  wide of the post.

Five minutes from time James Fennelow, who had made a return after being withdrawn from the victory at Barnet, went close as a ball from Omotolani Bello found the striker, whose low strike towards the far post was  smartly pushed away.

Sutton now find themselves in favourable position, being a point off the summit, while still having a game in hand. These two teams do meet again in the final game of the season, despite Glen hoping  that the title could be secured by then. Sutton now turn their attention to EFL Youth Alliance action on Saturday, where they host Cambridge United, who are currently AFC Wimbledon’s closest challengers for the title. Kick off time is 10.30am at Knaphill’s stadium, which will be the venue for the remainder of U’s Saturday games in the EFL competition.

The Under 19s were also in Division F action this afternoon, coming up short in a 0-2 defeat against Woking. Sid Dack’s side are still winless since October.

Sutton: K Muca, C Lee(sub J Coombes 80), D Urpens, A Reeves, L Ashburn, R Ruiz(sub N Nzuzi H-T), D Ashia, R Drysdale(sub B Sheargold 80), J Keteku(sub G Katana 80), O Bello, K McKenzie(sub J Fennelow 70).

Report: Finlay Harris