WESTMINSTER WANDERERS B V SUTTON NEW TOWN ATHLETIC
1 2
Sutton came into this game looking to end a run of defeats and got the match off to the best possible start. From their first attack Sutton took the lead, thanks to hard work from Phil, who managed to get the ball to Nathan whose close range shot beat the keeper.
The match proceeded with both sides having chances go over.
In the 14th minute, in what proved to be the first of three cynical dangerous fouls by Westminster, Tony was taken out with studs knee high, leaving severe stud marks down his leg. A free kick was awarded but the ref seemed uninterested in reprimanding the player.
Soon after, Westminster had a free kick 30yds out, which was well cleared by the fast improving Warwick. A couple more half chances either side, and the second serious foul from Westminster followed. Andy received the ball near the halfway line in the 22nd minute, and was cynically chopped down by a Westminster defender. This was a worse foul than the first and deserved a straight red, but the ref only showed a yellow. 3 minutes later, there was another serious foul, this time on Sutton’s keeper, and although the ref awarded a free kick, he did not show the tackler a card.
To their credit Sutton continued to try to play football, and perhaps realising they were on thin ice Westminster’s tackling became a little more reasonable.
In the 43rd minute, a Westminster player went down 30yds out.
A well struck free kick to the far post led to a goalmouth melee, and Sutton conceded the goal to make it 1-1.
The second half began with Sutton having a few more chances than
the opposition, with Alex, Nathan and Keiran all going close. Westminster brought on a very good striker, but Tony’s superb marking and tackling kept him at bay.
Sutton felt that they could win this game, and John Edgar came on for Ben in the 66th minute in an effort to press for a winner. Phil had a couple of shots go close, but the winning goal came in the 75th minute when Andy’s inswinging corner went straight in for 2-1.
Jon came on for hard working striker Phil in the 76th minute to help to shore up the midfield. Robin came on for the tiring Alex in the 83rd to flood the midfield. Although Westminster went for the equaliser Sutton held out, having to defend a series of corners and shots before the final whistle went.
Report by Robert.
