Hitchin Town 0

Sutton United 3

Sutton returned to league football and cruised to one of their most comfortable victories of the season against lowly Hitchin Town.

John Ugbah came back into the side after his midweek break, Steve Watson returning to the bench, otherwise, apart from Paul Clark who was suspended, manager John Rains picked his strongest available side.

Hitchin made their intentions clear early on as Ian Scott's fierce waist high challenge on Joff Vansittart laid the big striker out for some minutes. Five minutes into the game and Andy Salako's cross was met at the far post by Jimmy Dack but his header was well saved by Andy Palfreyman. It was Salako again who caused problems down the Hitchin left four minutes later resulting in a corner which led to Sutton's first goal. Taken by Jimmy Dack to the near post where Salako headed on and John Ugbah stooped to head a simple goal from close range.

Thirteen minutes later Salako again the provider, his cross deep to the far post where Joff Vansittart got above the combination of central defender and goalkeeper to head another to put Sutton two up.

In between times Matt Hanlan had two chances to further embarrass the home side but failed to convert either. Meanwhile, Les Cleevely was a virtual spectator in the Sutton goal for most of the first half.

Hitchin had more of the play in the second half but still hardly managed to trouble Les as Sutton took their foot off the pedal. Sutton's third goal came with fifteen minutes to go and was virtually a copy of the second. This time Andy Salako fed Danny Brooker and his hanging cross to the far post was headed in by Vansittart who once again out jumped his marker at the back post. .

Vansittart who hadn't been moving freely since Scott's crude challenge early on was replaced by Nassim Akrour with ten minutes to go but by that time the game had long ceased to be a contest.

The Sutton line up was:

Les Cleevely, Danny Brooker, David Everitt, Gwynne Berry, James Virgo, Barry Laker, Jimmy Dack, John Ugbah, Andy Salako, Matt Hanlan and Joff Vansittart.

Nassim Akrour replaced Vansittart with ten minutes left.

Clive Gartell and Steve Watson were the unused Subs.

This result still leaves Sutton four points clear with a game in hand although there are no changes at the top of the table as Dagenham, Kingstonian and Boreham wood all had victories in yesterday's games.

Sutton will be looking to put distance between themselves and the chasing pack when they entertain Purfleet on Tuesday evening at Gander Green Lane. Kick off 7.30pm. They are then at home again next Saturday when struggling St. Alban's City are the visitors.