Saturday 4^th October 1997

Isthmian League Premier Division

Sutton United 2

Walton and Hersham 0

In front of a reasonable crowd of 757 Sutton kept up the pressure on the leaders with a victory against lowly Walton scoring in the first and last minutes of a game they dominated but never really killed off the opposition.

If you were late into the ground you certainly missed the first goal scored by Joff Vansittart, his eleventh goal of the season. After only 28 seconds on the watch, good work down the right by Andy Salako, who took on a defender and whipped in a fine cross which Vansittart rose majestically to meet and head past keeper Delroy Preddie.

Ten minutes later it could have been two after Matt Hanlan created a chance with a cross that just eluded Vansittart and David Everitt’s goal bound shot hit a defender. On the half-hour mark a wild tackle by Steve Moss, which went unpunished by the referee, resulted in a free kick that caused havoc in the Walton box. Matt Hanlan headed back across goal the ball being met by Jimmy Dack 5 yards out but he blazed over when it seemed easier to score.

Sutton didn’t have it all their own way, Steve Moss forcing Les Cleevely into two good saves before the break but then right on half time Sutton could have made it two when Sean Daly made a fine tackle inside his own half and released Steve Watson who crossed for Jimmy Dack to glance a header just passed the post with the keeper beaten.

Into the second half and after 47 minutes Andy Salako put in a cross which was headed off the line by ex Sutton player, Matt Pearson after a good pass by Steve Watson. David Everitt picked up what looked to be a knee injury and was replaced by John Ugbah and soon after Jimmy Dack came off and was replaced by Tuesday’s hero Dominic Feltham and it was he who next came closest to scoring with six minutes left hitting the outside of the post after a deep corner from Sean Daly.

Despite a few anxious moments in defence as the game went on it was Sutton who made the game safe in injury time. Andy Salako was fouled deep inside the Walton half and from the resulting free kick John Ugbah forced the keeper into a good save but he only succeeded in pushing the ball out to Feltham who drove the ball into the net. With that goal Sutton kept up their record of scoring at least two goals in every game this season.

The line up was;

Les Cleevely in goal: Gwynne Berry, Sean Daly and Paul Clark across the back. David Everitt and Danny Brooker the full backs, Steve Watson, Jimmy Dack and Andy Salako in midfield with Joff Vansittart and Matt Hanlan up front. Dave Pattullo was the unused Substitute.

Their attention now turns back to cup football with a very important 3^rd qualifying round FA Cup-tie next Saturday at home to the Tonbridge Angels at Gander Green Lane kick off 3pm.