Match Report - SCTFC 0 - 1 Harborough Town

It’s been a difficult few weeks for Sutton, after losing four on the bounce, conceding 8 and scoring 1, it was now the last home game of the season. It was against Harborough Town, a team wounded after being docked 6 points, and a team Sutton had beaten away earlier in the season.

Stuart’s starting 11 were as follows: Brown, Christophorou, Carter-Byrne, Lima, Beresford, Doyle, Burgess, Hurley, McSkeane, Dowd and Byrne.

It was a pleasant afternoon at Coles Lane, and Harborough started the game on the front foot. Rose hit a low drive forcing a great from Brown.

Harborough tried a shot from distance which was cleared away by Carter-Byrne, but only as far as Rose who fired back towards the Sutton goal, Brown got down well to prevent the goal.

On 15 minutes Harborough made the breakthrough via Connor Kennedy. As the ball was cleared, he chested it down before firing a volley from distance.0-1 Harborough.

Sutton started to settle and made some good passing between the midfield. Byrne took the ball from wide, and curled an effort just over the crossbar.

Rose was proving a problem for Sutton, and a cheeky lob over Brown was cleared off the line acrobatically by Carter-Byrne.

McSkeane made a good run into the box, but the angle was tight as the defender forced him to the bi line. Taylor did well to parry his shot out for a corner.

Sutton battled well till half time, but found it difficult to combat Harborough’s tough defence.

Harborough started the second half on the front foot, and from a corner nearly made it two with a point blank header for Brown to tip over the bar.

Byrne, who looked like Sutton’s best chance of a goal, beat the Bee’s defence and fired a low drive which forced a good save from Taylor.

Dowd tried his luck from long range, but his connection was poor and, in the end, proved an easy save for Taylor in the Harborough goal.

Just past the hour mark and Dowd picked the ball up in midfield, and on the turn, fired towards the goal forcing Taylor to get down well to keep their lead intact.

Beresford saw his header saved from the corner as he jumped well at the back post.

On 67 minutes Hurley was replaced by Edmunds.

McSkeane ran through the defence and was ceremonially brought down just outside the box. Edmunds stepped up and curled one into the box, where Carter-Byrne headed a shot just over the crossbar.

On 78 minutes Gibson came on for McSkeane and on 82 minutes Tonge came on for Doyle.

Harborough were pushing for the second and pilling the pressure on Sutton, Rose and Crawford had small efforts but Beresford and Pedro were immense blocking anything coming into the box.

Walsh hit from distance but Brown was equal to it.

Deep into injury time and Sutton had a corner which was delivered straight to Gibson his header was tipped over the bar by Taylor to ensure the game finished 1-0 in Harborough’s favour.

It was a much improved performance by the Royals against a good outfit who look odd on for promotion this season.

Next up is Ansty Nomads away from home they are second in the league so it will be another tough one for the Royals.

#COYR