MATCH REPORT

DAN-THE-MAN MAINTAINS MOMENTUM FOR SUTTON'S TITLE CHARGE

Sutton went into this game on the back of a relatively slow start back after Christmas, but still top of the table and rearing to go. Coming to them this week was a Cambridge City team who whilst were going through a tough patch, historically were a tricky side for Sutton to navigate. With Josh Norey going back up north, and Si Clarke recovering, the 2nd team welcomed back to the fold Matt Holmes and James Collingwood-Smith to bolster their forces.

The game started, and immediately from the off Sutton stamped their authority on the game. Luke Jackson and Collingwood-Smith worked well down the wings, and Dan Plant ran the show from the midfield by linking up with Alex Canham and Eddie Hales, the latter of which ran off the defender before cutting the ball back to Plant who fired home to open the scoring about 6 minutes into the game. And about 5 minutes later, through good link-up play from Jackson and Canham led to the ball being fired into Plant in the D, and then slotted home to double the lead.

With a comfortable cushion, the pace dropped slightly up top to conserve legs for the game – in doing so allowing a scant few chances to Cambridge. These, however, were dealt with easily by the defense of Ben Hales, Tom Baguley, Stef Fox, Matt Holmes; alongside some stellar saves by Alfie Braginton in goal. As such, the only thing of note before the half time whistle was a small break for Troy Croxford on the sidelines, leaving Sutton in the lead 2-0 ready for a half time break.

Once the second half started, Sutton pushed back and tried to regain control of the game, and with a slight formation change it was immediate. Short corners were won, and whilst the end product was lacking the intention was still there. The attacks kept coming, and with Ed White quarterbacking the play it was no surprise that MOTM Plant finished off his hattrick in style by sending the keeper the wrong way. Again, some defensive work was carried out with relative ease, but the game was settled 7 minutes from time with a decisive pass from White to Croxford, who beat a player and the keeper, before slotting into an empty net. There was just enough time left in the game for Fox to take a short break and that was that with a 4-0 victory.

So yet another win on the Sutton Party Bus, and some breathing room at the top once more after Cambridge South didn't play – 6 games left to go, with the ball still in our court; with the message being to maintain the momentum and keep their focus into a tough fortnight of fixtures.