St. Alban’s City 0

Sutton United 3

Sutton cruised through to the final of the league cup on a wet and wild night at Clarence Park scoring three first half goals with the benefit of the elements and then comfortably keeping out the opposition who failed to utilise the wind as well when it was in their favour.

Sutton gave a debut in goal to new keeper Richard Morgan and also welcomed back Jimmy Dack and Matt Hanlan back after injury although there was a slightly worrying end to the evening as both Barry Laker and Mark Watson limped off in the last twenty minutes as a result of challenges from the home side born out of frustration of being unable to get to grips with a Sutton side that looked solid throughout and gave the debutante keeper a reasonably trouble free evening.

Jimmy Dack had a spectacular volley early on that had the home keeper, Gareth Howells scrambling across his goal and two minutes later Joff Vansittart possibly should have done better when he sprung the offside trap down the Sutton right but having turned inside a defender he shot straight at the keeper fairly tamely. But St. Albans didn’t learn from that as within a minute in a carbon copy of the first incident, Danny Brooker put Mark Watson through and this time his cross was met by Matt Hanlan at the far post and although his contact wasn’t clean it was enough to get the ball across the line.

 The roles were reversed two minutes later as a result of a poor goal kick Matt Hanlan put Mark Watson in but his shot was just wide with the keeper beaten. The home crowd had good reason to howl at the referee after twenty minutes as Rob Haworth was put through and seemed to be in on goal but the referee refused to play advantage and pulled the play back for a St. Alban’s free kick ten yards outside the box and then booked Paul Clark for reasons unknown!

But Sutton were totally dominant and after thirty-five minutes they increased their lead. A Jimmy Dack corner caused confusion in the home penalty area and the ball was put in from close range with Mark Watson claiming the last touch.

And two minutes later the contest was effectively ended when another corner, this time taken by Danny Brooker was floated to the far post where Joff Vansittart headed the ball back across goal for Paul Clark to rise above the defence and head in from close range.

The second half was a bit of an anti-climax, the home side seemingly unable to exert the pressure the Sutton had done when they had the benefit of the elements. Sutton brought on David Everitt for Matt Hanlan just after the break and Andy Salako replaced Barry Laker when he was unable to continue.

Richard Morgan had one anxious moment midway through the half when he flapped at a corner kick but Kevin Mudd’s header was cleared off the line in spectacular fashion by Paul Clark confirming to any doubters that this was to be Sutton’s evening.

The Sutton side was: -

Richard Morgan, Danny Brooker, Barry Laker, Gwynne Berry, Jimmy Dack, Paul Clark, Steve Watson, Matt Hanlan, Joff Vansittart, Mark Watson and Clive Gartell.

David Everitt replaced Matt Hanlan

Andy Salako replaced Barry Laker and

Nassim Akrour replaced Mark Watson.

Sutton now return to important league action with a trip to Hendon on Saturday hoping to carry this improved form into a game where they desperately need three points to carry on their title challenge.