CROYDON 1 SUTTON UTD 2

report by Tony Dolbear

Sutton completed their first Ryman League double of the season on Saturday when they added to Croydon's troubles at the foot of the table. In a game that was never going to reach any great heights because of the blustery wind, they rode their luck but did just enough to deserve the three points ultimately achieved with Matt Fowler's first senior goal since the second game of the season. Both sides deserved some credit for trying to play decent football in the conditions, but it predictably took a while to get going, with the early half chances both coming from free kicks. Phil Wingfield's effort was comfortably dealt with by keeper Matt Martin, and then Nic McDonnell escaped his marker but failed to make contact with what would have been a free header. U's went ahead in the 29th minute in bizarre circumstances. Rob Haworth's low cross found Matt Gray at the near post and the ball seemed to go out off Gray, but a corner was awarded and when the ball diverted towards goal off a Croydon defender Eddie Akuamoah lifted it in to the net from virtually on the line. As he did so he collapsed in agony, suffering a back spasm, and required lengthy treatment before being stretchered off, and the break seemed to affect U's concentration. Straight from the kick off Mike Mison failed to cut out Chris Dickson's ball down the right and McDonnell rounded Dunn for a well taken goal. Croydon should have been ahead before the break when a free kick was headed back across goal and both McDonnell and Carlton Chatelier miskicked in front of goal, while early in the second half U's were indebted to Dunn for a fabulous save as he tipped away Chatelier's 20 yard effort at full stretch. Surviving these scares, and almost scoring themselves when Gray hooked acrobatically over following a corner, Sutton went back in front eighteen minutes in to the second half, again slightly controversially. Scott Corbett's header over the defence put Haworth in on the right, with the home defence looking for offside. It was a close call with Haworth, but Fowler certainly looked to be beyond the last defender, and when Haworth squared the ball it was Fowler who tapped in amid the home team's protests. Dunn had to make another good save from Seb Favata, but the home defence never looked happy playing in to the wind, with Martin left helpless by several back passes that went out for corners. Favata might have levelled with five minutes to go but shot over, and with two minutes left Martin got himself in all types of trouble outside his area as a through ball gathered pace on the wind, and handled to prevent Haworth having an open goal. Although conditions made sympathy easy, referee Eamon Smith had no alternative but to show a red card, with Danny Bower taking over betwenn the sticks. He was left helpless by Corbett's free kick, which deflected just wide, but did well to tip Wingfield's resulting corner on to the crossbar. Croydon's sense of being hard done by was shown as Graham Harper was shown a yellow card after the final whistle for continuing his protests too long.

Croydon: Martin, Favata, Bower, Dickinson, Reeve, Harper, Dickson, Kingsford, McDonnell, Barclay(Hill 76), Chatelier. Subs n/u Mitchell, Greene.

Sutton: Dunn, R Palmer, Gonsalves, Mison, Hammonds, Honey, Wingfield, Corbett, Gray, Haworth, Akuamoah(Fowler 29) Subs n/u Bailey, Howard

Referee: E Smith Attendance 175