Match Report - Yaxley FC 4 - 3 SCTFC

Sutton took the long trip to Cambridgeshire to take on the Cuckoos in a bottom of the table clash.

A win was desperately needed by both sides to move away from the dreaded danger zone.

Thorpe’s team was as follows: Gwilliams, Christophorou, Eden, Burgess, Beresford, Smith, King-Harmes, Baker, Marselia, Martin, and Francis.

Sutton started brightly, and the first effort went to Dish who hit an effort which went wide of the near post. King-Harmes was finding plenty of the ball down the channels and put another opportunity Dish’s way but his effort cleared the crossbar.

King-Harmes nearly put The Royals in front when he latched onto a ball through midfield. He ran into the penalty area with only the keeper to beat, but before he could get the shot away a crunching tackle by the oncoming defender took the chance away.

Against the run of play, and with Yaxley’s first effort on goal, they took the lead through Waumsley. He hit a powerful shot across goal and into the left side of the net leaving Gwilliams with no chance. 1-0 Yaxley.

Sutton did not let their heads drop and pushed back at Yaxley, and as a result earned a free kick just outside the penalty area. Christophorou stepped up and delivered a ball into the box, where Marselia curled an effort which went in off the post, despite Larkins best efforts to keep it out. 1-1.

Eden, from the left side, hit a ball from distance that curled and with the cross wind almost took it beyond Larkin. Somehow, he managed to get his finger tips to it to prevent Sutton from taking the lead.

Sutton got their just deserts moments later, when a cross field pass from Christophorou was met at the back post by Francis. He knocked it back into the box for Marselia to swing a shot in off the post to put the Royals 2-1 up on the day. 1-2 Royals.

The lead was short lived, when a mix up in defence allowed an easy tap in for Gothard which brought the scores level again. 2-2.

Sutton were level at half time, but really should have had the game won, or at the very least been in the lead.

Sutton again started the second half on the front foot, and should have had a penalty awarded for a blatant hand ball by the Yaxley defender. It prevented King-Harmes from getting the ball and a potential goal scoring opportunity.

53 minutes in, and Marselia nearly grabbed his hattrick. He beat the Yaxley back line and lofted a ball over Larkin who had come out of goal, but the ball just bounced over the crossbar.

Moments later, King-Harmes put Francis through on goal. A little side foot to the keepers right and Sutton were back in the lead. 2-3 Sutton.

58 minutes in, and Sparrow got a leveller to bring the score to 3-3.

On 62 minutes, a foul on the edge of the box was given initially as a free kick, but after consulting- with the linesman the referee changed his mind and gave Yaxley a penalty.

Cotton scored slotting home to Gwilliams Left hand side. 4-3 Yaxley.

Thorpe made changes on 65 minutes with a double substitution. He brought off King-Harmes and Baker, and replaced them with Benni Wilson and Christian Isichei.

A corner to Sutton gave Beresford an opportunity, but his header went just over the bar.

The final substitution for Sutton gave old Royal Letford a run out in place off Francis.

81 minutes on the clock and with time creeping up on Sutton, Marselia cut through the Yaxley back line, rounded the keeper and slotted in the back of the net to bring the scores level. Unfortunately, a late linesman flag ruled the goal out for offside.

On 87 minutes, some difficult play in the Sutton box meant a confrontation took place between Beresford and a Yaxley player. This was deemed unacceptable by the referee, and so Beresford was shown the red card.

Martin and also the Yaxley player that was involved were also shown a red card after a confrontation took place, which again the referee found unacceptable.

Sutton had to play the last few minutes with 9 men, and not surprisingly, they were unable to get the goal they richly deserved.

The game finished with Yaxley taking all three points.

Sutton now are in a serious relegation fight having conceded 12 goals in three games. Without Beresford for the next three league games, it will be a worry for Thorpe and his team.

Sutton worked hard on Saturday and played some good football, but had to deal with so many poor decisions on the day, it was always going to be an uphill struggle.

This defeat will not break us, other results went The Royals way and we go again on Saturday.

With the home support from our fans, you would not bet against us.

COYR.