report by Tony Dolbear

What on paper looked as though it would be a closely contested battle between local rivals for a Surrey Senior Cup semi final place turned in to something of a damp squib at Gander Green Lane on Tuesday as Sutton convincingly saw off the challenge of a hugely disappointing Carshalton side who failed to give Tom Dunn a serious save to make throughout the 90 minutes. Two up shortly before half time, Sutton were worth a wider margin of victory but a superb second half performance from goalkeeper Stuart Searle kept them at bay, without those in front of him ever giving the impression that they would be able to reward his efforts by getting back in to the game.
A scrappy opening saw referee Eamon Smith show his determination to keep a lid on any tensions by booking Nick Bailey for the first rash challenge of the night, but there was precious little else to report until U's went ahead after 28 minutes, Matt Fowler diving in against his former club to head his 20th league and cup goal of the season from Bailey's inswinging left wing free kick. Ten minutes later the lead was doubled, and although it was Danny Bolt's name on the score-sheet the goal belonged to Mark Watson, making his 200th appearance for Sutton, who first kept the ball in on the right when it looked certain to have gone out, then twice regained possession from defenders after appearing to have lost the ball. His battling was ended by a trip from Keith Dublin, and Bolt drilled home the penalty. At no time after that was there any suggestion that U's wouldn't go through, and early in the second half Fowler, Bolt and Watson were all guilty of inaccurate shots when well placed. When U's did hit the target, though, they found Searle in fine form, never more so than when Bailey surged through from Fowler's lay off and hit a thumping drive that the keeper touched away for a corner at full stretch. Searle was also down well to save a low 20 yard shot from Bolt, and off his line quickly to deny Fowler after U's striker had left defenders trailing in a fine run in from the right.
U's were able to give Danny Hodges his first senior outing since suffering his knee injury in September, and Dunn was only troubled by an inswinging corner from Michael Johnson which he needed to punch out from by the post, and a long range header from Darran Hay that bounced awkwardly just in front of him. Watson lifted a shot over the advancing Searle but just wide after being put through by the pass of the night from Bolt, but as Carshalton became more frustrated at their inability to make any impression so tempers began to fray, and after a succession of bookings trouble flared in the last minute after an ungainly challenge by Fowler on Robins' substitute John Hamsher, who was stretchered off. Fowler was shown a yellow card, and the reaction of Romauld Bouadji, who had been booked earlier, earned him a second caution and dismissal, so with all three substitutes already used Carshalton had to play out time with nine men.

Sutton: T Dunn, M Gray, E Akuamoah, R Palmer, D Brooker(sub D Hodges 60), N Bailey, D Bolt, P Honey, M Fowler, M Watson, L Gonsalves. Subs n/u M Hanlan, C Brown, D Beale, T London. Goals: Fowler(28), Bolt(38 pen). Booked: Bailey(19-foul), Gray(85-foul), Fowler(90-foul).

Carshalton: S Searle, D Timothy(sub J Hamsher 64), M Johnson, K Dublin, R Bouadji, P Woods, M York, B Glasgow(sub G Elliott 78), S Todd, D Hay, M Hawthorn(sub M Costello 68). Subs n/u S Darlington, M Pye. Booked: Bouadji(60-persistent infringement), Todd(62-persistent infringement), York(82-foul). Sent Off: Bouadji(90-unsporting behaviour-second bookable offence)

Referee: E Smith Attendance: 423

Sutton will be away to Dulwich in the semi final on a date to be confirmed. In the other semi final Leatherhead will be at home to Kingstonian.