Sutton’s academy team warmed up for Wednesday’s FA Youth Cup tie against Knaphill with another impressive victory in the EFL Youth Alliance, goals from Tito Salaam and Bobby Sheargold in the space of three minutes just after the hour mark tipping the game their way after the teams had exchanged goals either side of the half time interval.
There were few early chances for either side, Omotolani Bello hitting the outside of the post from a narrow angle for U’s while a Forest Green free kick awarded for handball just outside the penalty area was deflected just wide of Klevis Muca’s right hand post. However just before the interval Sheargold’s left footed shot from twenty yards took a deflection to wrongfoot the goalkeeper and find the far corner of the net and give Sutton the half time lead. The advantage didn’t last long after the break as Forest Green worked a short corner on the left and the ball was fired low across goal from the by-line and turned in unchallenged at the far post.
The game turned decisively in U’s favour just after the hour mark when Salaam met Ned Hepburn’s left wing corner with a powerful downward header that was perfectly placed inside the keeper’s left hand post, before the game’s outstanding moment as another set piece was cleared to the edge of the penalty area and Sheargold connected perfectly with a volley that flew through a crowded area and in to the back of the net. Rashaad Drysdale put a chance over the bar as U’s finished the game strongly, extending their unbeaten record in the EFL Youth Alliance to six games.
Sutton: K Muca, R Drysdale, A Reeves, D Ashia, D Urpens, T Salaam, N Hepburn, B Sheargold, J Fennelow(sub M N’zi 62), O Bello, G Katana. Subs n/u T Boon, J Pledge, H Boateng-Asante, C Emery.
Photo: Edward Dankwa
On Wednesday U’s face Knaphill at the VBS Community Stadium in the second qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup, kick off 7.30pm.
