Ryman Premier League

7/10/200

DULWICH 2   SUTTON UNITED 0

Today was not a good day for England supporting Sutton fans. Both teams underperformed on a very wet Saturday afternoon. This was a game Sutton could have and should have won. Dulwich were reduced to 10 men after 30 minutes , when Peter Garland was sent off for a second bookable offence. The second one being for a very needless handball. With the extra man Sutton dominated midfield and passed the ball around impressively. Unfortunately they never got the ball anywhere near the Dulwich goal. Les Cleevely spent most of the match on guard, but it was the Sutton keeper who had to do the actual goalkeeping. Sutton pressed forward and left alarming gaps at the back.

  It seemed likely that at least one Sutton player would be sent off , after a brawl just before the half time whistle. Ekoku and Thompson came out of the bundle of bodies with a yellow card each. The one player to shine was Dulwich's Veli Hakki. He was impressive on the ball and was the one creative player on the pitch.

    John Rains obviously felt that Thompson and Ekoku were likely candidates for expulsion , as they were both substituted at half time , they were replaced by Panter and Bolt. Shortly after the kick off for the second half Dulwich scored. A fine save resulted in a Dulwich corner , Sutton failed to pick up on the short corner and the Dulwich number 12 powered home an unchallenged header.

     Sutton pressed forward but were always threatened by the Dulwich break. Dulwich defended in depth and with purpose. The equalizer came for Sutton after good work from Bolt , substitute Panter powering a fine header for his first goal for Sutton. That seemed as though it would be the final score but with minutes to go Dulwich won a corner , there then followed a pinball game in the area. United completely failed to clear and a rising ball was finally header home after it was saved and the blocked on the line. This was no more than Dulwich deserved and gives them the first win of the season.