Walton and Hersham 1

Sutton United 1

Sutton failed to take three points again in a game where they had opportunities to win but after the harsh sending off of John Ugbah just after half time U’s would have probably settled for a share of the points. Andy Salako made his first start in the league since the Purfleet game but Jimmy Dack was still suspended so Manager John Rains was still unable to pick from a full strength squad.

Sutton started brightly and could have taken the lead after nine minutes. Andy Salako won a corner, taken by Junior Haynes and there followed an incredible melee. Paul Clark had a header cleared off the line, Joff Vansittart’s shot was blocked when goalbound, possibly inadvertently by John Ugbah and Steve Watson’s shot from the rebound thundered against the underside of the crossbar and away.

 Walton had chances as well, Andy Sayer completely missing his kick six yards out after a slip by Gwynne Berry seemed to let him in and Curtis Johnson hit the side netting after a jinking run into the penalty area. However after twenty-five minutes they did take the lead.

Joff Vansittart was dispossessed ten yards inside the Walton half by Trevor Baron who quickly lifted the ball over Sutton’s advancing back four for Andy Sayer to lob the ball over the stranded Les Cleevely into an empty net. The remainder of the first half was fairly unremarkable although Sutton had a chance right on the stroke of half time to go in level but Andy Salako’s header from six yards lacked enough pace to beat Delroy Preddie after Joff Vansittart had crossed well.

After a fairly tame first half the game exploded into life within seconds of the restart. Simon Ray was caught by John Ugbah, in what looked like a genuine attempt to get the ball. There was contact but it seemed as if all Ugbah was guilty of was being beaten by a genuine piece of skill. Amazingly referee Webb didn’t see it that way and immediately sent Ugbah off. The look of amazement on everybody’s face, including the Walton players, said volumes for how unlucky Ugbah can count himself.

Sutton did have the ball in the net four minutes later after a Vansittart header put Matt Hanlan in but the striker was adjudged offside. However things at this stage looked really grim for Sutton but they dug deep and after a tactical change, Clark and Virgo being replaced by Nassim Akrour and Barrie Laker they took charge of the game for the last twenty five minutes despite the man disadvantage. Akrour immediately made his presence felt scoring a goal that will be talked about for sometime by those who saw it. There seemed little danger when he picked the ball up from a throw in near the corner flag but he teased and jinked his way into the penalty area past several defenders and from very close to the by-line floated the ball over keeper Preddie and into the far corner of the net.

The game became very tense with Walton seeming to be happy with a point and Sutton straining to earn all three and it boiled over with ten minutes to go. Andy Sayer and Gwynne Berry clashed in the middle of the pitch and ended up having to be separated after exchanging blows. After the referee’s decision to send off Ugbah earlier amazingly he settled on a booking for both players.

Garfield Blackman did have a shot saved by Les Cleevely ten minutes from time but it was Sutton who should have one the game three minutes later. Salako put in Akrour down the left and his cross to the far post was met on the stretch by Joff Vansittart but his shot hit the crossbar.

David Everitt came on for Salako with five minutes to go but was unable to make an impression on the game.

So Sutton’s lead at the top is cut again to one point, Kingstonian getting past Hendon at home by two goals to one. There were also victories for Dagenham and Boreham Wood against Chesham and Oxford respectively.

The Sutton side was: -

Les Cleevely, Danny Brooker, Gwynne Berry, Paul Clark, James Virgo, Steve Watson, John Ugbah, Andy Salako, Junior Haynes, Joff Vansittart and Matt Hanlan.

Nassim Akrour replaced Paul Clark

Barry Laker replaced James Virgo and

David Everitt replaced Andy Salako.

Sutton’s next fixture is against St Alban’s City in the semi-final, first leg of the Guardian Insurance Cup on Tuesday at Gander Green Lane kick off 7.30pm.