Report: Sutton United Women 1-1 Millwall Lionesses

A second-half penalty from Sutton United Women’s centre back Beth Humphrey meant the points were shared in The U’s return to the London Borough of Sutton

Lucy Clark’s side looked to respond quickly to Sunday’s disappointment against Dartford with a fast start against Millwall Lionesses.

They were the sharper and quicker side early on, and in the sixth minute, their top scorer, Gabrielle Williams, was through on goal, before picking out Milly Cutler with a pinpoint cross, who could only rattle the post from six yards out.

The American looked electric in the first half, and Sutton were the better team, controlling the game and looking the most likely to score the first goal.

However, much like Sunday, creativity in the final third was lacking and despite all their efforts, they couldn’t find the back of the net.

And, on the stroke of half-time, this came back to haunt The U’s after Millwall hit them on the break to take the lead under the lights.

A piercing through ball from Ciara Watling found Mia Lockett on the left, whose high cross was spilled by goalkeeper Megan Taylor, subsequently dropping to Portia-Milan Langley Wright, who tapped into an empty net from 2 yards out.

Millwall’s lead nearly didn’t last for long, though, as Williams was gifted a chance in injury time but couldn’t convert from a tight angle, forcing goalkeeper Abby Baravik into a superb save.

It meant Sutton trailed undeservedly going into half-time, but another ferocious and confident start meant they weren’t behind for long in the second half.

In the 50th minute, Williams used her speed to pounce on a loose ball, beating Emma Squirell to it, whose late, desperate lunge brought the winger down inside the box.

The referee immediately pointed to the spot and up stepped Beth Humphries, who took a deep breath, burying the ball into the bottom right corner, leaving the goalkeeper no chance of saving it, despite guessing the right way.

It meant the U’s were right back in the game with Williams looking most likely to be the spark behind any Sutton goal, but with ten minutes left, it was a substitute Becky Olumodeji who nearly found the winner, dancing her way into the box from the left before agonisingly hitting the crossbar with just the keeper to beat.

And just as Sutton recovered from their missed opportunity, Millwall were down the other end in a flash, Taylor producing an impressive save to keep the score level before she was called into action once again,, right at the death, acrobatically keeping the ball out from a Lionesses’ free kick.

It meant the points were shared in what was an entertaining game under the lights at The David Weir Leisure Centre – Sutton putting in a performance that, on another day, could have been enough for three points.

Next up for the U’s is Saltdean at The David Weird Leisure Centre, hosting the Sussex side at 1 pm.