SUTTON UTD 3 CHESHAM UTD 2
report by Tony Dolbear

A game that at half time seemed to have swung decisively in Chesham's favour was yurned on its head by a superb second half performance that saw Sutton maintain their 100% home record and move above their opponents back in to the top six. Taken over the full 90 minutes Sutton were worthy winners, but for the second game running they were left with it all to do after Chesham's domination of the last 15 minutes of the first half saw them score twice. They could have been ahead in the first five minutes as a crisp move on the right ended with a deep cross and Tresor Kandol diving full length to head against the post. At the other end Mark Watson miscued a shot wide from a Danny Bolt pass before Bolt came close to repeating his free kick success against Ford the previous week. Nudged in the back himself, it was nearer 40 yards than last week's 35, but undaunted he struck a superb effort which Delroy Preddie just tipped over the bar. Surviving U's early pressure, Chesham's lively attack began to cause problems and they went ahead in the 32nd minute when Steve Dogbe skilfully floated a chip over Andy Pape from the edge of the penalty area. From then until half time it was all Chesham, with Paul Honey booked for a foul, and almost punished further when the free kick was headed back across goal but Pape somehow denied Marc Leach what seemed a certain goal. A minute before the interval, though, Honey's misfortunes continued as he brought down Dogbe as the Chesham player cut in from the left and tried to cross from the byline. Jermaine Hunter converted the penalty and Chesham seemed well on the way to victory. Watson, looking for a goal against one of his former clubs, was denied early in the second half when Bolt's cross was taken off his head by a defender and he could only direct the ball high over the bar, but a booking for Andre Scarlett and free kicks conceded near the penalty area told the story of Sutton pushing to get back in to the game, with Dave Timothy and Nick Bailey introduced before the hour mark. Bolt saw two free kicks rebound disappointingly off the defensive wall, but just when it seemed as though Chesham would emerge intact a neat passing move on the right ended with a deep cross that was headed down by Mike Hollands. The ball fell for Bolt, and his cross carried over everyone except Matt Fowler, who stretched to volley low past Preddie. The goal came just at the right time for the home side, who were level seven minutes later. Dogbe was booked for fouling Bailey, and when the free kick wasn't properly cleared Bailey was fouled again, this time by Scarlett and this time in the penalty area and in front of referee James Evamy. The push was punished with a penalty, and Bolt scored from the spot, with Preddie's protests earning him a yellow card. The force was now irresistibly with Sutton, and when Bolt swung in a cross from the right Watson was again frustrated as his header bounced back off the post. U's weren't to be denied, though, and nine minutes from time Bolt produced another marvellous cross from the right which Fowler's head planted firmly in to the net. It meant that each of Sutton's last eight goals had either been scored or created by Bolt, but the sequence should have ended two minutes later when the rejuvenated Fowler put Watson clear through. He shot past the advancing Preddie but also past the post, but Chesham were too shellshocked to take advantage as Pape completed the second half without a serious shot to save. Sutton: Pape, Beale(Timothy 59), Hollands, Palmer, Hodges, Honey(Bailey 59), Bolt, Corbett, Fowler, Watson, Gonsalves. Subs n/u Hanlan, Gray, Dunn Chesham: Preddie, Neil, Nugent, Cooper, Leach, Scarlett, Sinclair(Fotheringham H-T), Dogbe, Nwokeji(Corcoran 79), Hunter, Kandol. Subs n/u Morris, Martin, Mehamha Referee: J Evamy Attendance 484. Sutton will look to maintain their unblemished home record on Saturday in the local derby against Kingstonian (ko 3pm). K's season started later than everyone else's due to their suspension by the league, but they are unbeaten in the three games that they have played and on Tuesday became the first side to take points off St Albans this season when they drew 2-2 at Clarence Park. Expect Phil Wingfield, who spent the second half of last season at Sutton, to be an important member of their side. Sutton's reserves booked their place in the second round of the Suburban League Cup on Saturday when they beat Uxbridge 2-0. The game featured a 90 minute outing for Dave Timothy, who then returned to first team action on Tuesday as a second half substitute. Aaron Gilbert gave U's the lead after just eight minutes when he was put clear to beat the keeper with a well judged lob, but it wasn't until the closing seconds of the game that they finally clinched victory when Timothy put Charlie Imms through to score. Between whiles Sutton had rarely been tested, although Danny Dray did have to make one headed clearance off the line. In the second round U's will play either Walton Casuals or Corinthian Casuals. This Saturday they are away to Brook House in a league game, and next Tuesday entertain Kingstonian. U's youth team made it three wins out of three, and ten goals without reply, last Wednesday when four second half goals eased them to victory at Corinthian Casuals. Lawrence Richardson put them ahead with a header from a Joe Chivers free kick, and three minutes later Matt Curtis scored his fifth goal in three games with a low shot. Substitutes Reece Mander and Steven Douglas were also on target as U's cruised to a comfortable win. The scheduled home game against Woking on Wednesday(18 September)has been postponed, but supporters should check with the club at the weekend as it was hoped to arrange an alternative home game.