Report by Josh Bailey
Sutton United Women extended their unbeaten run to 8 games with a statement win against Dartford Women at the David Weir.
With both teams entering the game in flying form, it was no surprise that the opening half an hour was evenly matched, both teams sharing the chances but it was Dartford who drew first blood, Hanif striking the post after finding some space in the box.
Immediately, Sutton went down the other end but K’Shaela Burch-Waldren’s shot was blocked and gathered comfortably by the Dart’s goalkeeper Charlton. 10 minutes later, the U’s looked to be through on goal but Adam’s recovered superbly, clearing away from danger and stopping Williams in her tracks.
It was after the half-hour mark that the Kent-based team started to find their feet in the game, enjoying their best spell of the half. Anything good seemed to come from Ekwo, who was causing headaches from Sutton down the left, her best moment arriving just before half-time when she found Griffiths, who fired over the goal.
As the first half ended, Sutton had appeared to have weathered the storm and went into the break level and as the second half started, they turned the tide of the game and snatched an unlikely lead, Burch-Waldron lobbing Dartford’s goalkeeper after a well-worked free kick by Lucy Clark’s side.
The Dart’s wasted no time in searching for an equaliser and nearly struck back moments later through their star player Ekwo but her shot was well matched by Megan Taylor to keep Sutton in front.
At this point, it felt it was only a matter of time before the visitors were level but at the game progressed, Dartford struggled to created clear oppurtunities, leaving Sutton in control of their goal advantage.
However, Ekwo continued to cause problems, trying her hardest to drag her team into the game. Her best chance of the game came in the 83rd minute, when the winger was thrown on goal but her volley went inches wide of the post.
This appeared to inspire Dartford, who in the last 10 minutes had a barrage of attacks, which left the U’s hanging on by a thread. First, it was Awan, who was found at the back post by Lewis Powell but the forward’s shot went wide. Then, as we entered the 90, Taylor produced a brilliant save to deny Ekwo, followed by a heroic moment by Allen – the defender lunging at the last minute to clear the ball off the line.
Both sides could hardly believe it, and somehow, someway Sutton’s lead remained in tact and the home side remained unbeaten since the end of September.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
