Sutton United put four past Woking as the U’s returned to the top of the National League Academy South Division.

It was the Cardinals who saw the first sight of goal, when Quincy Patterson hit a low effort from inside the penalty area forcing Klevis Muca to make a save to his right hand side. It was then Sutton’s turn to test Woking’s goalkeeper two minutes later. A corner from the right was delivered to the back post, where Luke Ashburn’s effort was directed straight at Mickey Verga.

Glen Nichols made seven changes from the side that had lost to Luton on Saturday, and one of those players recalled had a chance eleven minutes into the game. A ball over the top found Rashaad Drysdale who attacked down the flank before striking it into the side netting. Drysdale had another sight of goal two minutes later after his effort inside the penalty area was hit directly at Verga. Another two who had missed out on Saturday then combined as Kai McKenzie was played in behind by Noah Nzuzi, but the striker’s shot went over the bar.

Sutton were forced into a change inside the first twenty minutes as Jayden Keteku departed for Omotolani Bello. However the substitute made the difference ten minutes later. Bello found himself in an identical position to where he had provided an assist against Luton on Saturday, as after beating his man and advancing into the penalty area, he delivered a low cross for McKenzie to tap home from close range.

Bobby Sheargold tried to double Sutton’s lead six minutes later after cutting inside from the flank, although his curling effort went over the bar, but on the stroke of half time the Cards were level after Lucas Boxhall had taken the ball around Muca before passing it into an empty net.

Six minutes into the second half, Ashburn was stood over a free kick on the edge of the box, however his effort went past the post. Woking then created their first moment of the half, seeing Jayden Hudson Odoi cutting inside before shooting low and wide across the penalty area. The visitors did take the lead a minute later as after a shot from Jalil Page on the wing was saved by Muca, Joden Trickett converted the rebound from inside the penalty area. It was the third time he had scored against his former club this season after netting twice in the reverse fixture a month ago.

Minutes later, a corner from the left was delivered into the box with Tito Salaam directing the ball goalwards, and despite it being cleared away the referee ruled it had crossed the line. After Bello’s impact from the bench, it was another Sutton substitute that made the difference. Mehmet Halim, who had returned to the scoresheet against Luton, put the U’s in front after converting a low cross into the penalty area. Drysdale then made it certain that Sutton were going to regain top spot in the seventh minute of injury time, as he converted a one on one chance against Verga.

Sutton: K Muca, C Lee(sub B San-Norton 69), T Salaam, A Reeves, L Ashburn, N Nzuzi, D Ashia, R Drysdale, J Keteku(sub O Bello 19), B Sheargold(sub M Halim 60), K McKenzie(sub J Coombes 90). Sub n/u: G Katana.

This was Sutton’s fourth consecutive win in this division and U’s now sit two points clear of Dartford while still having a game in hand. Sutton are next in action in the same competition on Wednesday afternoon when they make the short trip to Dorking Wanderers, who U’s beat 5-0 in the reverse fixture at the beginning of February. Kick off is 2.00pm at Meadowbank.

Report: Finlay Harris