ALDERSHOT T 3 SUTTON UTD 0

by Tony Dolbear

Sutton's wretched recent run in the FA Cup showed no sign of improving on Saturday as they went out at the third qualifying stage for the second season running. Since John Rains took over in 1996 Sutton have failed to progress beyond the qualifying rounds, although their luck with the draw has been such that of 13 ties in the competition in that time, excluding replays, U's have been drawn at home in two and grounds on which previous years' hopes have foundered have included Cheltenham and Rushden, so maybe it shouldn't have been a surprise when U's were handed the trip to Aldershot. Nevertheless, after last Tuesday's excellent win when the sides met in the Ryman League, and with a good record in recent games against the 'Shots', Sutton could afford to go to the Recreation Ground with an optimism that remained intact for 40 minutes. Ten minutes and three goals later U's hopes were in ruins. Three of the former U's players humbled on Tuesday, Paul Harford, Mark Watson and Scott Forrester failed to make the starting line-up this time and the fourth, Gareth Howells, made sure that U's weren't able to press home the advantage from that game early on as he turned away Rob Haworth's shot after the striker had combined well with Eddie Akuamoah at the end of a move started in defence by Danny Arkwright. That was just about as close as U's were to come, though, and Chuck Martini soon became the busier keeper, tipping over a Jason Chewins' free kick that had been awarded for a foul that earned Mike Mison one of three first half bookings. Leon Townley and Stafford Browne also went close following free kicks, but just when it seemed that U's might reach the interval intact Browne was put through by Grant Payne to beat Martini at his near post. Worse followed as a defensive lapse allowed Payne to score a second before the referee's half time whistle, and if U's had any thoughts of a second half fightback they were undermined within four minutes of the restart as Browne, on the bench last Tuesday, controlled Lee Protheroe's cross with a good first touch that beat U's defence, and drove a shot in to the far corner of Martini's net. There was never any doubt after that as to who would be in Monday's 4th qualifying round draw, as only Jon Palmer's free kick caused any semblance of a threat to the home goal with Aldershot content to guard their lead. Browne might have had a hat trick but for a good save by Martini while Mark Graham came close towards the end.

Aldershot: Howells, Coll, Chewins, Kirby, Townley, Adedeji, Graham, Protheroe, Browne, Payne, Holsgrove(sub Sugrue 53). Subs n/u Forrester, Watson, Nutter, Rapley.

Sutton: Martini, R Palmer, J Palmer, Mison, Arkwright(sub Brooker 64), Honey, Corbett(sub Murray 64), Boothe, Haworth, Keevill, Akuamoah. Subs n/u Dunn, Taylor.

Referee: J Singh Attendance 1961