Match Report - Rugby Town 1 - 0 SCTFC

After a great win in the FA cup last weekend, it was time to start our league campaign against Rugby Town, who after their promotion last season would be looking to hit the ground running.

Stringer’s first team selection in the league was as follows: Brown, Sawyer, Bowen, Lima, Christophorou, Burgess, Dampha, Collins, Brown, Hilton and Edmunds.

It was a slow start for both sides as each looked to get a foothold in the game.

Sutton’s first effort came via Rhys Hilton. He beat the defender out wide and zipped a delightful ball into the box where Collins was waiting. Unfortunately, a poor connection meant the ball was skewed over the bar.

Burgess floated a ball to the back post where Collins was able to connect and head the ball down, but Hill made sure it did not go in by diving to his left.

Disaster for Sutton minutes later as Leo Brown pulled up injured. He had to go off and was replaced by McSkeane.

Edmunds took on the Rugby defence, beat several defenders for pace before laying a ball off to Hilton. He carried the ball into the box and got a shot off, only to see his effort blocked before it could cross the line.

Right before half time and against the run of play, Rugby had a corner which was headed in by Kolodynski. Rugby 1-0.

Rugby was now on the front foot, and when Brown came out of his goal, the opportunity arose for a second. Pedro Lima stood on the goal line as the forward looked to take advantage. Lima stood tall, calmly tackled the forward and brought the ball out of defence. His actions saved Sutton from going 2 nil down.

Early in the second half Rugby were down to 10, as Lee who was on the floor injured, kicked out at Dampha right under the referee’s nose.

Sutton were lifted, and Hilton tried his luck after beating two defenders, but his effort went straight into the keeper’s hands.

Rugby was defending in numbers now, and Edmunds curled a shot from distance, which unfortunately went over the bar.

Bowen hit an effort central to the goal, but again it was from distance and didn’t trouble the keeper.

Edmunds was replaced by Abrahams on 75 minutes.

Rugby was being resolute in their defending and Sutton were unable to break them down. Dampha had a shot, but it was from distance and again went over the bar.

Abraham showed pace on the wing and cut inside the defender before firing low, but the keeper was equal to it.

Sawyer tried his luck just before full time as he beat 2 defenders. He slid in for the shot, only to be put off by the advancing keeper and screwed his shot just wide.

The game was a 1-0 loss which was a bitter pill to swallow after playing most of the second half against 10 men.

Sutton created many chances and had the better of the play, but failed to be clinical on the day.

Next up is Walsall Wood at Coles Lane on Tuesday night, and let’s hope for a more pleasing result.

The lads need your support, so hope to see you there.

#COYR.