Ryman Premier League

2   Sutton United  v   Basingstoke Town  0

An excellent performance by Sutton against a poor Basingstoke team gave United their first win of the season. United were able to play some good passing football but where unable to break down a very defensive opposition from open play.

The first half took time to start, as Sutton couldn’t make their superior possession count as Basingstoke had as many men back as possible. It took seventeen minutes for either side to have a good chance on goal when Paul Harford was brought down out side the area. Danny Bolt stepped up and struck a low ball past the eight-man wall and under the keeper to give Sutton a well-deserved lead. Three minutes later Danny Bolt swung in a great corner which was brought down by Gwynne Berry and fell to the feet of Salako who blasted the ball through the crowd of defenders toward the goal but saw his shot rebound from the post. Basingstoke had to wait half an hour for their first real shot on goal when Chris Honor latched on to a good cross but his volley sailed wide of the post. A couple of minutes later another cross came into the United area and Howell's decided not to come for it and saw his defence miss control the ball letting Sills take a weak shot at the united goal but the ball hit the post and cleared.

The second half United still had the better possession and were able to spread the ball about the pitch with ease, Basingstoke still couldn’t break into the game out classed by a tight United defence.

United took twenty minutes to double their lead when Danny Bolt’s corner was met by an unmarked Andy Salako who steered his header straight toward the keeper but he could only direct the ball into the roof of the net. United were able to close the game off as their good passing slowed the game down allowing Basingstoke only two half chances in the closing stages. In the forty first minute Rob Cook ran through the united defence and snatched at his shot which pulled a good save from Howell’s. Cook also had another chance to pull a goal back for Basingstoke when he managed to slip the ball under Howells but his shot was wide of the target.

Elation The best United performance for some time. United were able to pass the ball well

Deflation Lack of atmosphere and poor turn out