Sutton suffered a second successive EFL Youth Alliance defeat on Saturday morning at the hands of Wycombe Wanderers. U’s failed to build on their scintillating win over Dorking on Wednesday as Wycombe completed a double, adding to their 2-0 win at the David Weir centre back in August.

It was never going to be easy for Sutton, with Wycombe coming into this on the back of an assured 4-1 victory against Gillingham a week prior, as well as sitting within the top five.  The Chairboys dominated proceedings within the first half, the first chance coming as a Wycombe forward, with his back to goal, turned and shot from the edge of the box, seeing his effort glide past the left post. The hosts seemed to have a lot of joy down Sutton’s flanks, with a ball lofted into the penalty area from the right hand channel being volleyed home at the back post, only for the assistant’s flag to be raised.

Wycombe hoisted another dangerous ball into the U’s penalty area soon afterwards but this time it missed both blue shirts at the back post. The home side created their best chance of the half, a midfielder dancing  his way into the penalty area before unleashing a powerful effort which struck the bar. They came close to breaking the deadlock again with another cross from the left headed inches wide at the far post. Despite the quantity of deliveries and the good positions that the hosts found themselves in, Klevis Muca was hardly tested, catching one shot from a header following a free kick being his only involvement.

However, minutes before the interval it was Sutton who had the best chance of the half. Omotolani Bello winning the ball before sliding it through to one of Wednesday’s goalscorers Bobby Sheargold  on the right side of the penalty area, only for the keeper to pounce on the danger, blocking the effort.

Glen Nichols made a change at the break, with Blake San-Norton departing for Rashaad Drysdale. The substitute was involved within minutes as Sheargold found Drysdale on the right hand side, but his delivery did not find anyone in the middle. Five minutes after the restart, Glen was forced into a second change as Tae Bamidele could no longer continue, Geri Katana was his replacement. Nine minutes in Ronny Ruiz recovered possession, driving into the hosts penalty area, however, he was stopped in his tracks by the recovering defender. Glen stated that Sutton seemed to “lack energy in both boxes”. This was shown as after Kai Mckenzie collecting the ball in a promising position, his attempted through ball to Drysdale lacked enough purpose on the pass.

Just past the hour mark, Wycombe found the moment that they had been waiting for, a cut back within the left side of penalty area was stroked into the bottom right hand corner by Luca Hughes, which was no more than the hosts deserved. Five minutes later Wycombe were awarded a golden opportunity to double their lead as a weighted through ball to Hughes saw him brought down as he took the ball around Muca  for the referee to give a penalty. Cam Stones took responsibility and netted for a second successive game, sending Muca the opposite way.

Twenty minutes from time Sutton went close to a pulling a goal back, as a ball forward from Muca went through to his opposite number who came out to meet it, but mistimed the bounce of the ball, leaving several Sutton players hesitantly watching the ball trickle wide of the right post. Wycombe very nearly found a third, Hughes driving into Sutton’s half, before powering a shot towards the bottom right hand corner, which Muca pushed away to safety.

Sutton: K Muca, C Lee (sub J Jenkins 70), A Reeves, D Urpens, J Coombes, R Ruiz (sub H Boateng 70), B San-Norton (sub R Drysdale H-T), B Sheargold, O Bello, T Bamidele (sub G Katana 50), K Mckenzie (sub T Boon 70).

Adam Reeves after the game expressed that “ we just want to get back out there and put things right”, and U’s will have the chance on Wednesday in the National League Academy South division, where they take a trip to a Maidstone United side who currently sit three points ahead of the U’s. Kick off time is 2pm, at Maidstone’s Gallagher Stadium.

The Division F side are also in action on Wednesday, hosting a Borehamwood side who currently sit two points behind the U’s. Sutton will look to replicate their impressive 5-2 victory over the Wood back in September.  The game is currently scheduled for 2pm at Cheam Sports Club but check with the website for any change of arrangements due to the continuing wet weather.

Report: Finlay Harris