Sutton aim to get points on the board today following their great FA Cup win over Gresley. Confidence will be high but todays opposition need not be underestimated as they won their last league fixture 11-0 ! There are three changes to the team today with Smith, Ellis and Haughton in for George, Concannon and Letford.

Sutton started the game on the front foot winning a free kick; sadly, the keeper is thought to have been fouled before anyone could get on the ball. Sporting had a couple of efforts which ended up high and wide.

In the sixth minute Sutton should have had a penalty following a free kick. Mutton was literally rugby tackled in the box, sadly for Sutton, the referee was oblivious to it. A couple of quick corners for Sporting sees Sutton nervously defending the area, but they manage to keep them out.

The keeper shoots a long ball to Nadat who unfortunately runs offside. The Sutton keeper launches another long ball to Nadat who crosses the ball to Haughton. Haughton runs his man and draws a foul however, the resulting free kick, which is blasted by Nadat, hits the wall. Haughton grabs onto a loose ball, turns his man but shoots wide. Suttons best effort so far.

Sutton were battling hard in midfield and were pushing forward well; in the 44th minute they got their reward. Nadat held the ball up for a little lay off to the on running Hearsey who slotted the ball home past a helpless keeper. Fabulous Sutton lead at half time by a well-deserved goal.

Sporting start the second half with a blistering shot by Shorrock which nearly took the keepers hand off, a fine save by Gwilliam. Following a free kick for a trip, Sporting have a shot from Cowley go straight over the bar.

In the 51st minute, Sutton take off Smith and bring on Leo Brown. Leo goes straight into action with a bullet of a header which is caught to the keepers left. Nadat fires another over the bar, and Sutton start to put passes together with Hearsey, Nadat and Brown creating a chance which the keeper saves. Again, the same combination creates another chance, which comes to nothing, but Leo Brown is now causing Sporting problems down the left side.

On 68 minutes Sutton bring on Howell in place of Hearsey who’s run himself into the ground. On 70 minutes sporting play a short corner which caught Sutton out, it was like watching a game of pinball in the box with every shot being blocked.

Sporting were pushing Sutton all the way in an attempt to get back into the game, but every shot is just speculative. Sutton make another change with 15 minutes to go by bringing on Concannon in place of Haughton.

78 minutes in and Nadat runs into the box only to be challenged by another hold which would be better placed on a rugby pitch, but again, nothing is given.

On 82 minutes disaster for Sutton, a handball by Beresford gives Sporting a free kick in a dangerous position. Josh Quaynor takes it and curls it into the corner, but Gwilliam seems not to have a clear view. In injury time, 5 minutes to be exact (maybe Fergie time) Sutton created one last chance to win the game. Leo Brown, who had been a live wire since coming on, ran down the wing and crossed the ball which managed to avoid all of the Sporting defenders, but sadly also Nadat who arrived at the post a whisker away from securing Sutton all three points.

A draw in the end which was hard fought by both teams. Sutton were solid in defence, resolute in midfield, but just missed that clinical edge up front. Sutton look to be getting better with every game and with this evidence, the future looks bright for The Royals.

Man of the match for me today was Kieran Dawes for a great defensive display.

Come on you Royals!