Yeading 3

Sutton United 1

Sutton look to have left themselves too much to do in the title race after this latest defeat leaves them ten points behind leaders Kingstonian who had a narrow 2-1 victory over Aylesbury United. They must be wondering how they let a game slip that they had dominated for 75 minutes although the sending off of Steve Watson for two bookable offences was probably the turning point of the game.

One positive note to be taken from the game was the performance of debutante Azeez Akinbolu signed from St. Alban's during the week. He was assured at all times and looks a useful acquisition.

Joff Vansittart once again suffered physically at the hands of a defence that saw his influence on the game as a major factor, Byron Walton going in the book for a challenge from behind as early as the fourth minute. Danny Brooker hit the side netting after good work from Mark Watson and the same player was again unlucky when he latched onto a Junior Haynes cross but Daniel Honey managed to push it away when at one stage he looked beaten.

Yeading did have to make one change during the half as Tony Houghton had to go off and was replaced by Hamid Harrak and it was he who created Yeading’s only chance of the half after forty minutes, Martin Carter’s dipping shot only just clearing Les Cleevely’s bar after a quick break resulting from a Sutton corner. However it was Sutton’s half as they dominated in the main without ever quite having the cutting edge to convert their superiority into goals.

Joff Vansittart came out for the second half but was clearly struggling and was replaced by Dominic Feltham after only two minutes. Steve Watson went into the book for a tackle on Hamid Harrak but two minutes later Sutton finally took the lead. Mark Watson who’s pace and strength were a constant worry to the home defence set up Dominic Feltham who had his shot blocked but the ball rebounded to Junior Haynes four yards out and he gleefully buried his shot for his first goal for the club.

At this stage everything looked rosy for the U’s and they looked on their way to a much-needed victory but three minutes later Steve Watson was sent off, having committed his second bookable offence. It seemed a fairly minor challenge in centre midfield but referee Wyvil obviously felt it warranted a booking and as such left him no choice.

Sutton had looked totally in control until this point but almost immediately alarm bells started ringing. Dave Kellman replaced Ross Pickett for Yeading and they began to have much more possession and looked dangerous. Mark Watson did have one glorious chance to finish the game with ten minutes to go but he headed straight at keeper Honey from the edge of the six-yard box.

Two minutes later disaster struck Andre Elisser forcing the ball home after Les Cleevely had failed to hold a cross and Martin Carter made it two when he picked up a throw in on the edge of the Sutton box and turned virtually unchallenged and struck a sweet left foot shot over Les Cleevely and into the corner. He also got the third as the Sutton defence vainly appealing for offside let him run through and he calmly lobbed the ball over Les to make Sutton’s misery complete.

They must now pick themselves up from this disappointment for the difficult visit to Boreham wood next Saturday kick off 3pm.

The Sutton side was: -

Les Cleevely , Danny Brooker, David Everitt, Gwynne Berry, Jimmy Dack, Clive Gartell, Steve Watson, Azeez Akinbolu, Joff Vansittart, Mark Watson and Junior Haynes.

Dominic Feltham replaced Joff Vansittart

Nassim Akrour replaced Mark Watson

Andy Salako was the unused Sub.