Report by Tony Dolbear
Sutton ended their run of four consecutive Ryman League defeats on Saturday, finishing as ultimately comfortable winners against a side struggling to stay clear of the relegation zone. 4-1 possibly flattered U's a little, but they did play some good football at times, particularly in the first half and were good value for the points. Andy Pape returned in goal against his former club, while there was a welcome first appearance of the season for Danny Brooker, who added his consistent reliability to U's back line. After a delayed start due to the non-arrival of one of the assistant referees, Pape had to deal with shots from Paul Armstrong and John Morgan, while former Sunderland goalkeeper Lionel Perez, now in goal for Enfield, was off his line quickly to deny Matt Fowler following a fine pass from Danny Bolt. It was Sutton who began to take charge, though, with Bolt seeing a fierce shot diverted wide by Matt Waldron's head, and Brooker's 30 yard attempt also taking a deflection to loop just over. That led to U's opening goal, however, as from Bolt's corner on the left Ryan Palmer was given an absurd amount of space beyond the far post to head goalwards, and although Fowler couldn't turn the ball in it fell nicely for Lewis Gonsalves to hammer home from close range. Two minutes later, though, Enfield were level as the dangerous Armstrong raced on to a long pass ahead of the U's defence, and clipped his shot across Pape and inside the far post. With Pape then having to go full stretch to keep out Daniel Braithwaite's well struck 25 yard shot Enfield had a good spell, but towards half time U's again kept the home defence under pressure. Paul Honey and Mark Watson set up a chance for Fowler, whose shot was deflected against the foot of the post, but just before the break U's made their attacking count. Bolt and Matt Gray worked a short corner on the right and Bolt swung in a superb cross which would quite possibly have gone in unaided, but which was given a final touch by the onrushing Scott Corbett almost on the goal-line. U's had another anxious period straight after half time, and substitute Ansah Owusu had the ball in the net after Braithwaite's shot had diverted across goal only to be denied by an offside flag. The crucial moment came on the hour, however, as Enfield cleared a Sutton attack but a clash inside the penalty area between Watson and Waldron after the ball had gone ended with the Enfield defender kicking out at Watson just after referee Russell Griggs had turned round to see what was going on. He immediately pointed to the penalty spot, and not even a prolonged spell of treatment was enough to spare Waldron a red card. Bolt added to the home team's woes by converting the spot kick, and from then Sutton never looked in any real danger although Owusu might have done better with a couple of headers. The impression was that there were more goals in it for Sutton, and after Perez had held a low snap shot from the hard working but luckless Fowler they added to their tally with 16 minutes left. Watson battled well on the left of the penalty area before a pass inside set up Corbett, and although Perez parried his low shot Watson drilled the rebound back under the keeper. Perez rescued his team from a heavier defeat three minutes from the end when he stuck out a hand to keep out a thumping shot from Bolt despite appearing to be diving the wrong way.

Enfield: Perez, Waldron, Braithwaite, Doherty, Howell(Preece 76), Coppard, Maynard, Richardson, Mark-Dennis(Sarpong 61), Armstrong, Morgan(Owusu 53).subs n/u Kalli, Zobbo.
Sutton: Pape, Gray, Hollands, Palmer, Brooker, Honey, Bolt, Corbett(Hanlan 79), Fowler, Watson, Gonsalves. Subs n/u Bailey, Beale Referee: R Griggs
Attendance 101