Nationwide Conference

0 Sutton United VS Dover Athletic 1

ATT 601

Another Bank Holiday fixture and for once some good weather (shame the same didn't apply to the ref).

Things started well for United when Nko Ekoku met Skelly's free kick but Hyde was equal to the shot and saved easily. Minutes later United defence was opened up by ex Sutton Mark Hynes who turned Gwynne Berry and shot low into the bottom corner only to see United keeper Howells hold on to the shot. At this time in the game United were producing good chances from good positions something they haven't been doing of late. Mark Watson had possibly the best chance of the first half when he struck from the edge of the area with some power and swerve but Hyde was able to stop the shot. Five minutes later Sammy Winston ran on to a long ball and took the ball into the Dover area managing to hold off the defence before cutting back the ball and trying for a shot at goal but the defence cleared the ball. The clearance fell to Nko who instantly crossed the ball back into the box for Sammy Winston to head over. On twenty seven minutes Nko and Lee Shearer went for the same ball and Nko fell to the ground, the ref then booked Nko for diving or for decent. Six minutes later and controversy was just around the corner. Harford played a good ball to Danny who cross found Mark who was able to win a corner, the corner was taken by Harlow and was headed on by Mark for both Nko and Hyde to go up for the ball, Hyde was able to clam the ball but clashed with Dover player Simon Beard on the way down. The ref then booked Nko for the incident (further information will be found from the ref's match report). Both the players and fans of Sutton were furious with the decision . Ekoku's sending off being the 3rd Sutton dismissal in as many games that were officiated by Mr Ross . After all that, Sutton still pushed toward goal when Rowlands cross was headed backwards by Watson and Paul Sears just headed wide from the diving header.

Same old second half performance by Sutton, after controlling the better of the first half United still went a goal down within ten minutes of the re-start. The ball was played over the top of United's defence and Berry and Hynes went for the ball, but it was Berry who got the touch that sent the ball into the back of the net showing our forwards how to finish. Sutton almost hit straight back, a minute later when Sears controlled Harlow's light header on the edge of the area but he couldn't put any power into his shot and Hyde cleared up with ease. With fifteen minutes to go Sutton went for broke with Three substitutions in three minutes bringing Forrester, Broderick and Barclay on for Sammy, Gwynne and Watson. All the Subs push up front but had little impact on the game. With ten minutes to go united won a free kick on the edge of the Dover area, Skelly hit the ball over the wall and forced Hyde to tip the ball over the bar. Seconds later Sammy held off the Dover defence and hit the ball goal wards, all Hyde could do was palm the ball away but no Sutton player was able to put the ball in the net. Five minutes to go and united were trying hard to get the equaliser, Dominic Barclay ran on to a long ball and laid the ball back for Scott to strike but his shot was deflected over. The last chance of the game fell to Dover when Hynes had a one on one with Howells, Gaerth saved well and Hynes put the ball over the bar from the rebound.

Elation Good fighting display by Sutton after being relegated

Deflation can't say