Ryman Premier League

13 January 2001

1 Sutton United v Hitchin Town 1

ATT 520

Not exactly either teams best performance of the season but the points were deservedly shared. Both teams had equal amounts of possession but Sutton had the better chances of the game.

The first half saw little attacking football from both teams as the defences where able to clear most of the forward play but both teams where able to carve out a few good chances. The first and best chance of the first half fell to Sutton new boy Paul Whitmarsh who was impressive thru out. It was Paul Harford’s ball over the top of the defence that allowed Whitmarsh in on goal, Whitmarsh was under pressure from a defender and was moving away from goal but still managed to direct a good shot on target and forced a good save from Darren Bonfield. On twenty minutes Sutton had another chance to take the lead when Whitmarsh’s shot was blocked and fell to Danny Bolt who controlled and shot but the keeper was easily able to save. Hitchin didn’t have too many goal scoring chances in the first half but they did manage to open up the Sutton defence on a few occasions and win a couple of corners putting the United defence under pressure. Sutton where close to taking the lead when Bolt’s free kick was played short to Dave Harlow who struck the ball from out side the area and beat to keeper but the ball didn’t dip enough and went over the bar.

In the first minute of the second half Hitchin almost scored when Matt Nolan struck from the edge of the area and produced a good save from Gareth Howells. A minute later Sutton had the chance to score when Whitmarsh dispossessed a defender and beat another before forcing Bonfield into a good save. Hitchin then had a good spell where they managed to keep possession but still couldn’t open up any space for a good shot, Sutton then counter attacked and unleashed Whitmarsh on a one on one with Bonfield who was able to block Whitmarsh’s effort. With an hour gone of the second half Hitchin won a corner which was swung into the area for the unmarked Adam Parker to head into the back of the net to give Hitchin the lead. Sutton tried to get a quick reply but shot from Boothe and Bolt both easily stopped. With only fifteen minutes remaining Danny Bolt found himself in enough space to cross the ball to the back post for Whitmarsh to volley at goal but he was again denied by the hands of Bonfield. With time running out Sutton tried to get the ball forward but the Hitchin defence were able to clear the ball every time. With five minutes to go Whitmarsh was shoved in the back in side the area but a free kick was awarded, but that didn’t matter as Bolt’s free kick curled over the wall and passed the keeper into the top left corner of the net to level the scores.

Elation Whitmarsh’s debut performance, five shots and all of them on target he also showed some good ball control.

Deflation Not a great game as Sutton and Hitchin failed to close the gap at the top.