A fine second half performance producing three superb goals saw Sutton turn round a half time deficit to pick up all three points in this EFL Youth Alliance clash.

Newport made the brighter start to the game and deservedly went ahead in the 17th minute when a good low cross from the right by Myles McKenzie was turned in by Cameron Egan in the six yard box, and McKenzie wasted a glorious chance to double the lead shortly afterwards when he volleyed wide from close range.

Sutton responded immediately with Ned Hepburn’s shot clipping the outside of the post, and as U’s grew in to the game Charlie Emery also went close to an equaliser when his header was cleared off the line by Harrison Pugh, but Newport held the lead at half time and might again have extended it when Klevis Muca’s clearance rebounded off an onrushing forward but looped over the bar.

If the first half had been shaded by the visitors it was Sutton who dominated proceedings after the break and the equaliser came within three minutes of the restart when they were awarded a free kick about twenty yards out and right of centre, and Luke Ashburn curled his shot over the wall and in to the top near corner of the net with the goalkeeper helpless.

U’s then had chances to go in front as Jayden Oberotimi just failed to make sufficient contact with an Adam Reeves cross, Dan Urpens headed wide from a Hepburn cross and Hepburn himself thumped a volley just past the post.

The goal finally came seventeen minutes from time following a Newport corner which was cleared to Oberotimi, who launched a counter attack before finding Hepburn and continuing his run to receive Hepburn’s return pass and fire in to the roof of the net at the near post.

Ten minutes later Sutton had clinched the victory, again countering following a Newport attack which had seen penalty appeals waved aside. This time it was Oberotimi and Ronny Ruiz who provided the right wing combination, with Ruiz eventually reaching the by-line and rolling the ball back in to the path of Bobby Sheargold, who drilled a low first time shot in to the net from just inside the penalty area. U’s might even have had a fourth before the end, Josh Jenkins hitting the side netting from a narrow angle.

The next EFL Youth Alliance game is at home to Bromley next Saturday, 15 November, at the David Weir Centre, but before that the same ground hosts a National League Academy South Division game when U’s are at home to Maidenhead on Wednesday, kick off 1pm. The Division F team visit Hertford Town on Wednesday in a league game.

Sutton: K Muca, C Lee (sub J Jenkins H-T), A Reeves, C Emery, D Urpens, L Ashburn, D Ashia, R Ruiz, J Oberotimi(sub T Bamidele 87), B Sheargold, N Hepburn. Subs n/u T Boon, G Katana, H Boatgeng.

Photo: Edward Dankwa