Nationwide Conference

18/3/2000

RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS 4 SUTTON UNITED 0

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An optimist is defined, these days, either as someone who thinks Rover's Longbridge plant has a future or somebody who thinks they will see Conference football at Sutton next season. After today's result the Rover option seems the better bet. Although results elsewhere have gone Sutton's way it is now 3 month's since a win in the Conference.

Things started badly after 5 minutes when Butterworth went through the Sutton defence, looked to have over-run the ball but managed to slot the ball past Howells. After 15 minutes Sutton had a corner which fell to Rowlands 15 yards out whose shot went high. Just after that Butterworth had another chance that went just wide. Nine minutes before half time Andy Burgess scored from 10 yards. The start of the second half saw Jimmy Dack hit the inside of the Rushden post. On 51 minutes Peters headed in from a corner. Seven minutes before time a headed flick on put Lowe in to unleash an unstopable shot, to give Rushden their 4th.

Sutton can take some comfort in the fact that Woking , Welling and Forest Green all lost.