SUTTON UTD 2 CROYDON 0

report by Tony Dolbear

Sutton were able to reflect on two consecutive wins and two consecutive clean sheets after Tuesday's victory over Croydon lifted them away from the immediate basement area of the Ryman League Premier Division but consigned their opponents to 22nd place. It was a victory not unlike that at Hitchin on Saturday as U's impressed at times with some good football in the first half but then went through a sticky patch in the second during which it seemed only a matter of time before Croydon equalised. As on Saturday they survived and after Eddie Akuamoah's second goal in as many games had given them the cushion of a two goal lead they played with increasing confidence and might have won by a wider margin, though that would have been slightly flattering. The game failed to take any real shape until Sutton went in front with a curious goal after 16 minutes. Goalkeeper Matt Martin came off his line quickly as Sam Keevill found himself with a chance on the right, and when the keeper blocked Keevill's improvised back heel Ryan Palmer drove the ball back low across goal. Rob Haworth's diversion turned it in to the empty net, though Haworth appeared to know little about the deflection. Apart from a scare when Matt Dickinson's header from a corner looped against the bar Sutton went on to play well enough to deserve their interval lead. Paul Honey missed the best chance when he skied a shot disappointingly from 20 yards after Akuamoah's cut back from the left had rolled invitingly for him and Keevill, again catching the eye with some good skill and composure on the ball, saw Martin again come off his line to save at his feet. The second half proved rather different as Sutton failed to keep hold of the ball long enough and Croydon became increasingly dominant. Nic McDonnell flashed one shot just wide of the near post, and then in the space of a minute Peter Garland received a half cleared corner but sent his characteristically powerful shot inches wide, and then McDonnell broke through but shot straight at Martini. An equaliser seemed on the cards, but then Sutton managed to launch a rare attack, and Palmer's deep cross, after his first had been blocked, was brought down by Akuamoah who drilled a shot inside the far post with the aid of a deflection. The spirit drained from Croydon and at the same time grew in Sutton, and Haworth had two chances to increase his tally before the end, first bursting through on the right and seeing his low shot pushed round the post by Martin, and then after U's best move of the night had ended with Chris Boothe pulling the ball back from the left by-line, Haworth met the ball at the near post but sent it flashing just wide.

Sutton: Martini, Berry, Alighieri, Mison, Arkwright, Honey, R Palmer, Boothe, Haworth, Keevill, Akuamoah. Subs n/u Panter, J Palmer, Murray.

Croydon: Martin, Bower, Dickinson, Richards, Edwards, Judge, Dickson, Kingsford, McDonnell, Dundas(sub Allen 60), Garland(sub Harper 74). sub n/u Coleman

Referee: S Rubery Attendance 458

Gwynne Berry is cup tied for Saturday's FA Cup second qualifying round tie at home to Wessex League Eastleigh(k.o.3pm) having played for Dulwich in their preliminary round defeat at Horsham. If Saturday's game is drawn the replay will be at Eastleigh on Tuesday(7.45 pm) otherwise U's visit current league leaders Gravesend in a Ryman League game(7.45 pm), although that is subject also to Gravesend's FA Cup tie against Eastbourne Borough being resolved on Saturday.

Sam Keevill, who made his debut in Saturday's 2-0 win at Hitchin, is a 20-year-old attacking midfielder who was a professional at Fulham for two years before being given a free transfer in the summer. He had three months on loan at Kilmarnock at the end of last season.

SUTTON UTD RES 3 MARLOW RES 0

Sutton made it four wins on the trot in the Suburban League with an ultimately comfortable win at home to Marlow on Saturday, although they had to wait until just before half time to break the deadlock. Then substitute Danny Hastick was fouled on the edge of the penalty area and although U's felt hard done by with the award of a free kick rather than a penalty Michael Johnson rendered the dispute academic with a curled free kick in to the top corner. Leon Morris struck the woodwork early in the second half before Nick Williams scored the second with a looping header from Johnson's cross and Hastick added the third when he turned in a Morris cross from close range.

Sutton: Dunn, Stevens, Taylor, Howard, Gonsalves, Delandro(Moger), Williams(Heuston), Smith, Seal(Hastick), Morris, Johnson.

Sutton visit Metropolitan Police on Saturday and then entertain Kingstonian on Tuesday(7.30 pm), both Suburban League games.

The youth side are likely to visit the winners of Wednesday's FA Youth Cup tie between Welling and Didcot next week-check with the club for details.