Sutton eased through to the the third qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup, proving too strong for a Knaphill side who kept battling to the final whistle and occasionally threatened the U’s defence, missing a glorious chance to score just after Adam Reeves had put Sutton ahead but then overrun by U’s fluent attacking play.
Sutton had already created several openings before going in front in the 18th minute as Adam Reeves met Ned Hepburn’s corner with a powerful header, but the lead should have been quickly wiped out when Oscar Pender found himself through with just goalkeeper Klevis Muca to beat, but put his shot too close to Muca who was able to save.
From then Sutton pressed home their advantage and on the half hour Charlie Bell, fresh from his goalscoring substitute’s appearance for the first team the night before, showed his confidence with a superb chip from just inside the left edge of the penalty area that dropped behind goalkeeper Harry Baker and inside the far post.
After Baker had saved well from James Fennelow, who also saw a header ruled out for offside, the third goal came three minutes before the break when the referee ruled that Harvey Butterfield had fouled Hepburn as the Sutton player tried to go past him and pointed to the penalty spot and Hepburn’s Panenka-style beat Baker.
Fennelow saw another shot cleared in the six yard box after Bobby Sheargold had been denied by the keeper, but was eventually on the scoresheet ten minutes after half time, firing home after Jacob Kelly had failed to cut out Taylor Boon’s low cross. Two minutes later Fennelow had another with a looping header from Hepburn’s cross, and after Fennelow had made way for Josh Jenkins the substitute also registered a quick fire double, a fine near post finish from Hepburn’s low cross, and a close range header after Hepburn’s shot had diverted up off the goalkeeper’s legs.
Hepburn had opportunities late on to score the goal from open play that his performance deserved but his wayward finishing frustrated him until the first minute of stoppage time, when he raced clear to go round Baker and roll the ball in to the empty net.
The third and final qualifying round will be played in the week of 13th October, while Sutton are next in action this Saturday morning, 4th October, against Barnet in the EFL Youth Alliance, kick off 10.30am at the David Weir Centre.
Sutton: K Muca, T Boon(Sub A Dillon 73), A Reeves, D Ashia (sub J Pledge 76), D Urpens, H Boateng(sub S Ward 90+3), N Hepburn, B Sheargold, J Fennelow(sub J Jenkins 65), O Bello, C Bell(sub M N’Zi H-T). Subs n/u E Yohannes, A-J Harleston.
