Report by Tony Dolbear

HAMPTON & RICHMOND B 2 SUTTON UTD 1

Sutton turned in a greatly improved performance from their aberration at Hendon the previous week, but the result was the same at the Beveree on Saturday as their recent climb up the Ryman League table was checked. It was an infuriating game for U's to lose, with Sutton just appearing to get the upper hand when Hampton went ahead, and, U's having equalised within a minute, the deciding goal going in after Hampton had been reduced to ten men by the dismissal of French debutant Fouhade Belaid. The afternoon didn't start well for U's, with Paul Honey the recipient of an early booking and then Richard Taylor, returning on the left of a back four after a foot injury, aggravated it within ten minutes, being replaced by Gwynne Berry, but the luck went their way in the 18th minute when Richard O'Connor intercepted a crossfield pass, made use of the space in front of him and hit a 20 yard shot that Chuck Martini tipped on to the crossbar. The rebound fell to Eysais Yadego, but his header clipped the top of the bar on its way over. Warren Williams blasted a left foot shot high and wide, and just before the break Martini fumbled an O'Connor free kick but jumped on the ball before it crossed the line. U's had played some decent football but were let down by the final pass, emergency left back Dave Timothy twice finding himself in a good crossing position but finding his left foot not up to the task. An interval switch saw Timothy return to the right of midfield and Berry at left back, and he was prominent as U's began to pose more threat to a Hampton side that had seen leading scorer Craig Maskell substituted before half time. An on target shot finally came on the hour, although Rob Haworth's header caused Stuart McKenzie few problems, but Sutton were definitely in the ascendancy when Timothy was penalised for a challenge on Yadego 20 yards out. Again Martini made a mess of dealing with O'Connor's free kick, and this time Paul de Luca, who had replaced Maskell, rattled in the rebound. To their credit Sutton bounced straight back to level with a curious goal as Timothy's cross shot deflected off Tony Houghton, evaded the grasp of McKenzie and was ruled over the line before Steve Omonua cleared. The untidy nature of the goal was probably in keeping with the problems U's had around their opponents penalty area, but it was a big boost to level so quickly, and the balance seemed to tilt further their way when Belaid, booked by referee Paul McQueen early in the second half for a challenge on Matt Fowler, ended a darting run from the lively Timothy in uncompromising fashion and found his debut cut short by 18 minutes. Before U's could turn things to their advantage, though, a long ball from the back found de Luca clear on the left, and he lifted the ball over the rapidly advancing Martini in to the vacant net. He almost had a hat trick when a fierce cross shot went just wide, but Sutton should have rescued a point when Mike Mison, who along with Honey had a commanding game, headed a free kick in to Chris Boothe's path ten yards out but his shot was smothered by McKenzie.

Hampton: McKenzie, Omonua, Girvan, Dicker, Gardner(sub Deegan 64), O'Connor, Houghton, Belaid, Williams, Maskell(sub de Luca 43), Yadego(sub Hodges 75)

Sutton: Martini, R Palmer, Taylor(Berry 12), Mison, Brooker, Honey, Timothy, Boothe, Fowler, Haworth, Akuamoah. Subs n/u Arkwright, Corbett.

Referee: P McQueen Attendance 391

SUTTON UTD RES 2 WALTON & H RES 2

Sutton dominated long periods of Saturday's Suburban League encounter but had to settle for a point as Lewis Gonsalves put through his own goal five minutes from time. U's spurned several good first half chances and Leon Morris should have been on the scoresheet long before he put them ahead just before half time, but Walton equalised against the run of play eleven minutes in to the second half. It looked as though U's would be reprieved when Martin Dunne pounced on a half cleared throw in to fire in through a crowd of players, but the afternoon finished badly for Sutton as Gonsalves turned a cross in to his own net minutes after Walton had seen a 'goal' disallowed, and then Darren Beale was sent off for a clash with an opponent. On the plus side defender Stuart Hammonds came through a full 90 minutes.

Sutton: Dunn, Williams, Gonsalves, Hammonds, Beale, Dunne, Moger, Howard, Seal(Heuston), Morris(Hastick), Dray.