Sutton United returned back to winning ways after a controlled and dominant display during their 4-1 win over Wealdstone on Wednesday afternoon. Coming into this game on the back of two away defeats, Sutton arrived back at David Weir and claimed the win which sealed their place in the 2nd round of the National League Football Academy Cup.
It was a bright start from the hosts, with passes finding the likes of Adam Reeves and Rashaad Drysdale on the flanks, however, the deliveries failed to get past the first man, leading to several early corners. Despite Sutton’s early pressure, coach Sid Dack stated that “ we were vulnerable in transitions”, which was exactly where Wealdstone proved a threat. This was shown early, with their No. 9 finding himself with time and space in the centre circle, looking to set their winger away down the right hand side, fortunately for Sutton, the pass was overhit.
Sutton’s wide men were proving to be the batteries within the team, Ned Hepburn receiving the ball on the left, cutting inside, and successfully gliding through two Wealdstone defenders, though eventually he ran into traffic. Sutton soon had their first effort on goal, with a long throw from the left into the penalty area, George Vorster controlling the ball with his back to goal, setting it to Bobby Sheargold, who saw his low deflected effort land straight with the keeper. Sheargold, recently involved with the first team, was the player causing Wealdstone’s back line issues on several occasions, receiving the ball in the middle of the visitors half, then playing Hepburn in behind, who saw another two crosses go behind for corners.
Wealdstone had to be patient, and wait for Sutton to make a mistake. A long ball over the top was mistimed by Luke Ashburn, seeing their winger set away and cutting inside, before laying it off on the edge of the area, resulting with their player stumbling to the ground, although the referee waved away the appeals. The visitors were having some joy down the left, with a low cross in finding their striker whose back was to goal, before he turned and released a blocked effort.
Sutton were edging ever closer to pulling the trigger, Sheargold driving into the opponents half, before setting Drysdale away in behind on the right who saw his low drilled shot saved. Soon after, Sheargold tried his luck, shooting from 25 yards out on the left, attempting to catch out the keeper at his near post, but he got across to deter the damage.
As we passed the first quarter of the game, Sutton turned their chances into outcomes, Reeves putting a cross in from left, reaching Drysdale at the back post, who had time to get the ball under control, and slot it into the bottom left corner. Wealdstone responded sharply with Klevis Muca being called into action, a shot on the edge of the penalty area, diverting towards the bottom corner, was clawed away. Seven minutes from the break the visitors pounced, some great strength from their No. 10 in the area, back to goal, turning quickly and hitting a low effort into the bottom left corner. Sutton almost struck again instantly, with Vorster cutting in, and shooting from the right, seeing his effort saved, the ball did fall to Hepburn whose rebound was saved. Sid Dack stated that “ it was just one of those halves, we couldn’t put the ball into the net”.
Sid Dack turned to the bench at the break, seeing Sheargold depart for Ronny Ruiz, after being caught late in a follow through. Although, Sid explained that “ this was simply for precaution”. The visitors seemed determined to not have a repeat of the 7-1 defeat that they suffered at the start of September. They started how Sutton started the first half. Ashburn losing the ball, setting their No. 11 away which was met by a strong save from Muca. However, this pressure was short lived, with the hosts coming millimetres away from going ahead. Hepburn cut inside from the left, his effort was saved, the ball dropped to Drysdale, and to everyone’s surprise, he tried to be unselfish rather than going for goal.
The hosts finally regained the lead, and this was worth the wait. Vorster receiving a long ball from the left, setting him away, using the outside of his foot to chip the keeper scoring his second goal against Wealdstone this campaign. Vorster’s strike seemed to hurt the visitors, as Sutton added the insurance goal, a ball in from the left saw Charlie Emery colliding with the keeper, Jayden Obarotimi played to the whistle, converting from close range. Despite confusion of whether the referee would award a penalty instead, he awarded the goal.
Sutton were not finished yet, and this didn’t came as a shock with Sid Dack further emphasising, “ the attack minded players we had on the pitch today”. The 4th goal was created by another player on the flank, this time Dan Urpens putting a ball in from the right. Hepburn, who could have already been on the scoresheet , stormed in, converting the ball using his chest, to round off the afternoon for the hosts.
Sutton have been drawn against Maidenhead United in the next round. This tie will be played on Friday the 5th of December.
Sutton will make a quick return to David Weir on Saturday in the EFL Youth Alliance, kick off 12.00, where they will host a Newport County side who currently sit 2nd from bottom in the South West Division with just one win during this season’s league campaign.
Report: Finlay Harris
Picture: Edward Dankwa
