Report by Tony Dolbear

On the back of four consecutive defeats Tuesday night's Surrey Senior Cup tie at Stompond Lane looked a testing engagement for Sutton, but a fluent performance saw them come through with a scoreline that didn't do justice to their superiority, particularly in the second half when Walton were kept in the game by debutant goalkeeper Nick Gindre. It wasn't all good news, though, as a defence already shorn of two significant members in Danny Hodges and Danny Brooker lost a third as Ryan Palmer sat out his first game this season after picking up a knock at Kingstonian, Nick Drew impressively deputising in his first start of the campaign, and then saw Mike Hollands sustain a serious ankle injury that has probably ended his season. On a cold January night Stompond Lane, with its open spaces and athletics track, wouldn't have been first choice for a footballing classic and in the first half hour there was little to warm the spectators except for a couple of lively runs by Matt Gray, returning after suspension, one of which almost created an opening for Mark Watson. U's then took control with two goals in three minutes, the first coming as Watson combined with Danny Bolt on the right of the penalty area before firing in a low cross that was turned in at the near post by Matt Fowler. The second was a superb effort, as Watson again unsettled the defence before finding Bolt on the left and setting off towards the far post. Bolt's cross came in as if guided by radar, and Watson, the fourth player in five games to wear the captain's armband, dived full length to head powerfully past Gindre. U's were deflated five minutes later, though, when Hollands crumpled in obvious agony after a heavy challenge from behind by Garfield Blackman, and while the Walton midfielder escaped with a yellow card Hollands was carried off and taken to hospital with a suspected broken and dislocated ankle. Understandably given their team mate's visible discomfort U's completed the half in fairly low key fashion, and then conceded a goal within two minutes of the restart as Scott Edgar ran on to a through ball and shrugged off a challenge before placing a shot beyond Jamie Ribolla. The response was impressive as Nick Bailey flashed a shot just wide to herald a spell in which U's penned their hosts in their own half for about 20 minutes but found Gindre in inspired form as he kept out a low Gray volley and then rushed out to deny Fowler after a long pass from midfield had put him through. Fowler soon had his revenge, though, meeting Bolt's resulting corner with a fine header that restored U's two goal advantage. Gindre made another good stop when Eddie Akuamoah met Watson's chip with a fierce low volley, but had luck on his side 18 minutes from time when he again rushed out to meet Fowler and this time seemed to make the save a good yard outside his area, but the assistant referee, who earlier in the half had turned down penalty claims when a Gray cross was virtually caught by defender Danny Brumpton, kept his flag down. It didn't matter to the outcome, and Gindre survived to make another fine save from Gray as U's eased to victory, although a fractious last five minutes saw the home side have Ross Pickett and Chris Whelan booked, the latter for a scything challenge on Gray for which a red card could have brought no complaint.

Walton: N Gindre, F Dolan, J Laister, G Blackman, C Whelan, D Brumpton, R Savage, R Pickett, S Edgar, L O'Donnell(P Harkness 67), T Frontin. Subs n/u A Thompson, L Batty, R Wimble, W Goggin. Goal: Edgar(47). Booked: Blackman(38-foul), O'Donnell(64-foul), Pickett(85-unsporting behaviour), Whelan(88-foul).

Sutton: J Ribolla, M Gray, M Hollands(E Akuamoah 38), N Drew, D Beale, N Bailey, D Bolt, P Honey, M Fowler, M Watson, L Gonsalves. Subs n/u M Hanlan, S Corbett. Goals: Fowler(30,56), Watson(33). Booked: Beale(63-foul)

Referee: B McLaren Attendance: 110