Ryman League Premier Division

Sutton United 1 v Slough Town 1

ATT 468

There was a marked improvement in Sutton's performance from Saturday's game against Purfleet but Sutton still couldn't manage to win all three points.

The first half lacked in any real goal mouth opportunities, Sutton managed to gain the superior possession but failed to get the ball into the strikers for any good shots. The best few shots Sutton had were from the edge of the area. The first came from Hodson who was able to turn and take a low shot which was well saved by Murray. United's second shot came after a free kick was given for a pass back, but the free kick was easily cleared. Slough's only chance came on thirty minutes when some good work by the goal line was crossed low and converted by Slough's number eight.

In the second half the rain fell heavy throughout , with the pitch becoming very water logged in places. United put more pressure on Slough who very rarely had a shot at United's goal. One of their only chances came from Slough's number ten who managed to break through the Sutton defence but shot wide when he was one on one with Newell. A minute later Sutton won a free kick with Slough's number eight getting booked for kicking the ball away, the free kick was headed wide by Thompson. Three minutes later the number eight brought down Paul Harford from behind but the ref didn't give the second booking the Sutton fans thought he deserved. Fifteen minutes into the half Nko Ekoku was able to cross a low ball, into the area, which was narrowly deflected wide by Chris White one of the Slough defender's. Minutes later some excellent work by Andy Walker on the wing saw the ball played through to Richard Thompson whose volleyed shot was just saved by the keeper. Slough's only other chance came with ten minutes to go when their number ten waltzed through the defence but pulled his shot well wide of the post. With time running out Sutton pushed up the field trying to get some thing from this game but when Nko's cross was hit over by Thompson many Sutton fans thought that we would be leaving empty handed, but in the eighty ninth minute United took the chance to get the point they deserved. It was good work by Danny Bolt who was able to cross into the area which looked like the keeper would easily clam but he decided to punch the shot out which cannoned off his defender and back past the keeper for Hodges to tap home, after he was first to respond to the mistake.

United will feel that they deserved more than the draw but with the finishing and supply not as good as in recent week's they could only just get the draw.

Elation Good work from Andy Walker and Richard Thompson.

Deflation Being unable to make more chances from the better possession.