Match Report : Sporting Khalsa FC 0 : 2 SCTFC

After going unbeaten for three games and maintaining three clean sheets on the bounce, The Royals were starting to believe they could be on an upward momentum. With Sporting Khalsa next, it would be a stern test as they were playing well in league and cup.

Stuart’s team for the game was as follows: Brown, Christophorou, Carter-Bryne, Lima, Beresford, Collins, Doyle, Burgess, McSkeane, Hilton and Edmunds.

Sutton started the game brightly knowing that a victory would be a real statement in their push for those play-offs.

A short corner by Collins was met with a little back heel from Burgess to find Edmunds, who fired from 6 yards only to see his effort blocked.

Hilton showed his skills to beat the Khalsa defence, before firing a low shot to the near post which Arnold saved with his legs.
Disaster for Khalsa on 15 mins, when Perkins raised arm hit Hilton in the face which saw the ref show red.

Sutton were lifted and tried to make the extra man count. On 35 minutes they did just that when McSkeane crossed the ball into the box. The keeper parried it out, only to find Burgess waiting to fire into the back of the net. 0-1 Sutton.

In the second half, Sutton had to soak up some early pressure from Khalsa as they tried to push Sutton back.

Hilton beat Robinson in defence and set up Burgess for another effort on goal. This time, Arnold saved to his left to keep Khalsa in the game.

Hilton tried a shot from distance which was parried out by Arnold, only to find Burgess waiting again to fire back at him which he duly saved.

On 57 minutes Tague came on for McSkeane.
Hilton beat Robinson for pace before unleashing a powerful shot which cannoned of the far post. It rebounded across the goal and went out for a goal kick.

Hilton was having so much joy on the wing, and Robinson was having trouble competing with the footwork of Hilton. This was shown to good effect when he twisted and turned the defender so much that he ended up in heap on the floor. Then he fired it towards goal, but Arnold managed to get both hands on to stop a certain goal.

Hilton went a lovely run across the box. He beat several defenders, but before he could make the shot, Arnold dived to his feet to rob the ball and stop Hilton in his tracks once more.

It was a nervy few minutes, as despite all Suttons chances, it was still only 1-0. And with Khalsa pressing to get the equalizer, thoughts were thinking is it one of those days.

Out of nowhere, Teague hit a 30 yard smasher which flew past Arnold and into the top right corner to make certain the points were coming home.

Hilton and Edmunds came off on 90 minutes to be replaced by Byrne and Antonio.

The lads saw the game out with a very memorable result against a top side in the division. A fourth clean sheet and 10 points from a possible 12 in the last four games, make Sutton a very inform side currently. Dare we say Play-offs?

#COYR