Match Report - SCTFC 3 - 0 Dunstable Town FC

It was a blustery afternoon at Coles Lane where Sutton took on Dunstable Town knowing a victory would secure the play-offs at the first time of asking. For Dunstable it was also a must win to avoid the drop into the lower division.

Toothy had brought back Reece-Gibson to start in place of Curtis who dropped to the bench. He was looking to get on the attack from the off.

Sutton, only a minute into the game, and with their first attack came the first goal of the game. From a corner in, Clarke headed back across goal for Hurst to volley home from three yards out. 1-0 Sutton.

Letford ran down the wing, neck and neck with the defender, cut into the penalty area and unleashed a shot which smacked off the bottom post, the defender had slightly affected that shot.

Letford had a diving header go just wide of the upright minutes later after excellent work from Nesbitt.

Dunstable tried to hit back with Pobbe forcing an excellent diving save from Gwilliams.

Sutton push back on the attack, with Letford hitting a long shot which the keeper easily saved. Sutton went close soon after when a throw in was received by Letford and laid off to Hurst. Unfortunately, his shot was blocked by the Dunstable defence who were back in huge numbers.

27 minutes in and Sutton got that all important second goal. New boy Gibson won the ball in the middle of the park and ran towards goal laying a square ball off for Letford to easily slot home. 2-0 Sutton.

Sutton were more relaxed now and were playing some nice football. A Gibson-Letford combo set up Nesbitt who fired just over the bar.

Nesbitt had another effort minutes later when a lofted ball into the penalty area was taken down well, and on the spin, he fired a shot which had Coulson diving to his left in order to keep the ball out, and Dunstable in the game.

It was all Sutton and with the wind behind them, they had the benefit of Gwilliams long kicks. Letford was taking advantage just before half time as he took the ball down in the area, squaring it for Gibson to have his shot go just wide of the post.

Nesbitt had a great run along the by-line and saw his pass to Moore result in a shot which was blocked on the line by the Dunstable defence.

Beresford came into the Sutton attack, ran down the wing, and passed a ball to Nesbitt whose shot was saved by the diving Coulson and put out for a corner. Moore put a ball into the box which Hurst rose high at the back post to head down, but the defender cleared the ball off the line. It was desperate defending by Dunstable to keep themselves in the game.

Half time and Sutton made a change with Hurst coming off to be replaced by Alex Curtis.

The second half was a battle in midfield with little chance coming either way. Curtis had Sutton’s best effort as they hit a hard drive just over the bar.

58 minutes in and Letford put a good ball across field to Nesbitt, whose shot cannoned off the crossbar.

It was not Nesbitt’s day today, but his work rate and clever play was causing Dunstable all sorts of problems.

Toothy made another change on the hour with McNulty coming on for Palmer.

Letford set up Clarke for another shot just wide of the post. Then on 72, Reece Gibson finally got his first goal for the club. He picked up a loose ball from just outside the box and smashed it into the roof of the net. 3-0 Sutton.

Toothy felt Sutton were now comfortable and made the final change, bringing Letford off for Flint.

Gibson had another effort go just wide after a cross from Nesbitt, and Clarke had a diving header go just wide following a cross in from Flint.

Sutton had worked very hard as a team, and are a good strong unit; they are collectively a team we can all be proud off.

Sutton had made the playoffs and will be playing Bromsgrove Sporting on Wednesday night. Whatever happens, and whatever league we are in next season, we can all say hand on heart the team have played entertaining and exciting football to watch this season. We can only look forward to see what delights next season will bring.