A stoppage time goal by Ella Meehan direct from a free kick saw Sutton end a run of three consecutive defeats in the London & South Eastern Regional League. It seemed that victory had been snatched from U’s when visitors Barking came from 2-0 down to level in the 90th minute, and looked the likelier to grab the late winner, but Meehan’s long range effort eluded everyone in the penalty area to find the net and give Sutton the points.

U’s were on top for much of the first half and went ahead when Gabby Williams raced on to a ball over the top, and although her first shot was saved she was able to fire the loose ball in to the net (below)

Megan Taylor made one good save down to her right as Barking looked for an equaliser, but Sutton continued to have the better chances and Williams might have had a hat trick on another day as she kept getting behind the Barking defence, seeing one shot blocked by the keeper’s legs, heading over after a neat right wing move between Emma Spear and Millie Cutler, and running on to a fine Cutler pass to round the keeper but see her shot blocked by a covering defender in the six yard box.

Barking’s main threat came from their right winger, who saw a cross bounce off the Sutton crossbar just before half time, but they were unable to make any impact on the Sutton defence during the second half and U’s seemed to have clinched the points when, after substitute Becky Olumodeji had finished off a good run with a shot that was deflected wide, Spear’s corner ricocheted in to the net off a Barking defender.

Within a minute the referee ruled that Meehan had fouled a Barking striker in clearing the ball, giving the visitors a chance to reduce the arrears from the penalty spot, and it looked as though Barking had grabbed a point when a quick counter attack ended with a fine finish in off the underside of the bar. In stoppage time it was Barking pressing for the winner, but Sutton defended well and when they were awarded a free kick just inside the Barking half Meehan sent the ball goalwards (below) and it evaded everyone to end up in the net.

Sutton: M Taylor, T Allen, E Meehan, E Oliver, B Hargreaves, Z Walters, E Spear, G Williams, M Cutler, A Warren, E Clark. Subs used: P Langley, B Olumodeji, R Murdock.

Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin