The one that got away!
Sutton went into this game with some key first team players missing but due to the strength in depth of the squad was still able to field a strong team, and having lost heavily to Balham in the home fixture were keen to make amends.
On a warm sunny day, they started with pace and purpose and in only the second minute opened their account. A huge kick from Duncan Garnett in goal landed near the opposition box and James Murray collected the ball, rounded a defender and lobbed the keeper. Sutton continued to attack with Nathan Ross giving the defence a torrid time. In one of their few forays into Sutton’s half, Balham equalised in the 11th minute with an own goal after a goalmouth skirmish.
Sutton did not let this upset their gameplan and on 21 a corner from Harry Simpson was headed in by a Balham defender, under pressure from Dan Yeoman. 2-1 to Sutton. Some good saves from Balham’s keeper kept them in it with Nathan and James continually testing him.
On 38 minutes the industrious Ben Donaldson was viciously fouled and despite four bloody stud marks on his stomach the Ref did not deem it worthy of a booking let alone a red. After a couple of minutes he was able to carry on.
A couple of near misses by each team and the half ended.
Sutton came out in the second half with determination to kill the game off,but against the run of play Balham scored in the 50th minute to make it 2-2. This took the wind out of Sutton, but after a few minutes and with some loud urging on by Bas Mathis and Andy Dodson got some composure back. Balham’s keeper was having an excellent game and saved a point blank header from Ben Donaldson. Bas Mathis had marshalled his defence well and gave their front man nothing. Balham substituted him in the 63rd for a midfielder. Balham now started to get into the game by flooding the midfield. They started to win more ball and as a result scored their third on 68. Sutton were winded but still continued to attack with Balham’s keeper making more significant saves.
In an attempt to change the play John Edgar came on for James Murray in the 80th minute and had a couple of good runs at the defence,and just missed a chance at the far post. The match was now end to end and Balham caught Sutton’s defence flat footed to score their 4th in the 88th minute.
Sutton refused to lie down and pressed hard to get back into the game but the clock was against them. However, they got a free kick 30 yards out in time added on and Andy Dodson hit a screamer into the top right corner.
One more move was made but the ref blew up with the final score 4-3 to Balham.
This was the one that got away. On the balance of play Sutton should have won by a hatful, but if any one thing lost it for them, it was an excellent Balham keeper.
Man of the match Nathan Ross
Report by Robert
