Report by Finlay Harris
After defeat to Wycombe a week earlier, Sutton were able to register their first EFL Youth Alliance win of the season on Friday with a professional and clinical performance against a Plymouth side who struggled to find the answers.
Sutton came out of the blocks fast with Rashaad Drysdale being brought down in the penalty area leaving the referee with no choice but to award a spot kick. Ned Hepburn took the responsibility but his low drilled effort was smartly stopped by Plymouth’s captain and goalkeeper Flower. However, this did not disrupt Sutton’s further momentum and pressure as a clever ball over the top by Adam Reeves set Tolani Bello in behind Plymouth’s backline driving down the wing and playing a controlled low ball across the penalty area for Bobby Sheargold to smartly steer home to put the hosts 1-0 up.
Despite being a goal up, Sutton were not sitting back and kept piling on the pressure. Hepburn’s confidence was not knocked despite the penalty miss, he was electric, agile and proving a point as he created chances down the right hand side resulting in several early corners, from one of which Dan Urpens had a chance but headed over the bar. A small water break followed as we approached the first quarter of the game due to the weather conditions. A few minutes after the restart, Charlie Bell took a corner from the right hand side, and his delivery ended up nestling in the top left corner completely catching out Plymouth’s keeper who was committed to trying to catch the cross.
It was one way traffic and Sutton were looking to put this game to bed, Luke Ashburn making inverted runs down the left hand side offering balls into the box which led to further corners for the hosts. Ten minutes later and Sutton had their third. A long throw-in from Luke Ashburn into the box resulted in midfielder Charlie Emery guiding his header into the bottom right-hand corner. On the stroke of half time, Ronny Ruiz lost possession in the middle of the park resulting in Billy Delvin picking the ball up and diverting a shot well wide of the post.
Glen Nichols made a change at half time bringing off the bright spark of Hepburn as a precaution following an injury, Blake San-Norton was his replacement. Plymouth started to slowly grow into the game winning a corner but the delivery was easily claimed by Riley Butt. The chances for Sutton kept on coming, though, with Bell over a free kick which he fired just over the bar. Plymouth resorted to the bench bringing off Kian and Bill, with Fletcher and Jared their replacements. On the hour mark, Sutton won a free kick in a dangerous area with Ronny Ruiz curling a pin point effort into the top left corner and all but wrapping up the three points. A second change followed for Sutton as Taylor Boon replaced Drysdale who had taken a knock.
Sutton were in no mood to stop as Bello using his strength was able to avert the defenders’ challenges and whip a ball into the box which had a bit too much on it for Sheargold to make contact. That was Bello’s last action as he was substituted by Haniel Boateng.
Despite being 4-0 down, Plymouth showed courage and resilience as they kept pushing for something to take back to Devon. A deep corner led to Toby MacLean keeping the attack alive by heading the ball across the face of the goal for Lewis Fowler to volley home ending Sutton’s hopes of a clean sheet.
Speaking to the manager after the game, Glen Nichols felt that Sutton controlled the game and he was pleased with their pressing and decision making, and also with a better performance in the final third in contrast to their game against Wycombe.
Up next for Sutton is their first away game of the season in which they will travel to Oxford United on Saturday 23rd August.
