Ryman Premier League

ATT 902

3 Sutton United Vs Carshalton Athletic 1

United won this derby game thanks to an inspired performance by Paul Whitmarsh who added two goals to his Sutton record. Carshalton were only a threat in small spells during the game making it easy for Sutton to break away.

During the first ten minutes of the first half Sutton were on the back foot as Carshalton had the better of the opening play looking for the early goal. But the first break thru came on fifteen minutes for Sutton when Danny Bolts corner was swung in close to the goalkeeper, the keeper however decided to leave the ball to be cleared by his defence but it was Whitmarsh who was able to guide his header past the keeper despite being the smallest player in the box. Carshalton could have got back to equal terms two minutes later when some good work on the left by Byron Glasgow allowed him time and space to cross the ball deep into the Sutton area for Matt Fowler to head towards goal but the shot was easily saved by Gareth Howells. Athletic had another chance to pull level when Glasgow pulled the Sutton defence apart but curled his shot wide of the target. Five minutes later Sutton had a great chance to double their lead when Dave Harlow’s corner fell to Chris Boothe whose header needed to be stopped twice after the keeper couldn’t hold it at the first attempt. With fifteen minutes left of the first half Carshalton where awarded a penalty after Chris Boothe pulled down Fowler as the number nine ran past him. Fowler picked himself up to convert the penalty, which was only inches away from the out stretched hands of Howells. However with seconds left to go of the first half United regained the lead in spectacular fashion. Danny Bolt’s corner was cleared only as far as Dave Harlow who took a touch and then unleashed a shot from twenty-five yards out which flew into the top right hand corner past the helpless Borg.

With Sutton leading two-one Carshalton started the second half pushed slightly further up field as they went in search of their second but instead this lead to Sutton’s third when Haworth was able to give the ball to Danny Bolt who quickly unleashed Paul Whitmarsh. With the defence pushed up the field more Whitmarsh was able to run on to Bolt’s ball forward with the defence trying to make up the ground. Whitmarsh kept his head and slotted the ball passed the keeper to give Carshalton the task of coming from two goals down. United were fortunate to keep their two-goal lead when Fowler broke free of the defence and knocked the ball past Howells. At this point the ball looked to being going into the net but the ball hit a divot and bounced wide of the target. Carshalton then had another chance when a bouncing ball caught out Danny Brooker and allowed Fowler to go one on one with Howells but Gareth was out quick enough to gather the ball. Whitmarsh could have scored his hat trick on sixty-five minutes when Harlow’s ball from midfield allowed Whitmarsh to run thru the defence but blasted his shot over the bar. Rob Haworth hit the post with fifteen minutes remaining after taking his time to control Paul Honey’s cross he saw his shot rebound off the outside of the post. Both teams from then on only had a few half chances but didn’t look likely to score. Sutton did well holding on to the ball in the midfield making it difficult for Carshalton to break thru the Sutton defence.

Elation Derby victory

Returning to form

Whitmarsh’ good display

Harlow’s wonder strike

Deflation Not scoring more goals against the local rivals

Sutton United 1 Howells 2 Brooker 3 Horner 4 Whitmarsh 5 Palmer 6 Harlow

7 Bolt 8 Boothe 9 Honey 10 Haworth 11 Ekoku

SUBS not used 12 Gray 14 Alighieri 15 McCormack

Carshalton 1 Borg 2 Robson 3 Hollinsworth 4 Akers 5 York 6 Elverson

7 Glasgow 8 Drewett 9 Fowler 10 Pace Dooley

Subs 12 Fairbrother 14 Stasinos 15 Tanner