Match Report - SCTFC 0 - 2 Spalding United FC

The season started on a bright sunny August afternoon and this home fixture brought us Spalding United. They are nicknamed the Tulips and were battling for three points, and it was Sutton who would be hoping to pick them off today.

Toothy’s first team starters were as follows: Gwilliams in goal with George, Timms, Mutton and Knight in defence. Midfield was Palmer Francis, Powney, Dos Santos, and Shaw with Dell up front.

Sutton started the game quickly and looked to take the early lead when Dell ran onto a loose ball, but the keeper was on his toes and just pipped him to it.

Four minutes played and Sutton had to make an enforced change, with Francis picking up an injury it was Louis Monaghan’s first opportunity of the season to make his name.

Monaghan was in the action straight away when he tried his luck with a volley on the turn, but it hung in the air and the keeper collected it easily.

Spalding’s first attack came minutes later as they won a free kick just outside the box, Gwilliams made the save but spilled it and it had to be put out for a corner. The corner came in and the ball ended up like a pinball in the area, Gwilliams eventually took control and pounced on the ball.

Spalding had been spurred on by the last attack and came forward through Jackson. He weaved through the Sutton defence as easily as a knife through butter and his blistering shot cannoned off the post and Sutton were lucky not to go 1-0 down in the game.

Sutton’s defence were sloppy again on 19 minutes when a ball put in the box looked like it was going out, but it had slowed up, and while the Sutton lads were standing watching, Jackson was quick to get to the goal line first in front of the watching Knight, who then pushed him to the ground to gift a penalty to Spalding.

Jackson, who else, stood up to slot the ball to the right of Gwilliams 0-1 Spalding.

Minutes later and Spalding had another effort cleared off the line by George. It was desperate defending at times for Sutton who were under pressure for large periods of the game.

Suttons best chance came late in the first half as Dell passed the ball out wide to Monaghan. He ran down the wing and crossed into the box for Shaw who got a slight head to it, unfortunately for Sutton it went just wide of the post.

Second half, and it’s Spalding who took the first effort on goal as Brownhill hit a curling shot just past the crossbar.

Acar then dribbled the ball into the box and beat all of the defenders. The ball bounced off a defender giving Spalding a corner, the corner came in and avoided everyone apart from Richards who taped it in at the far post. 0-2 Spalding.

Monaghan had a flying volley effort rebound off the defender, which deserved better. It was followed by a Dell header straight to the keeper, both were good efforts from Sutton who were not about to accept defeat.

Toothy made a positive change on 64 minutes when he brought on Gibson for Knight in an attempt to get back into the game.

Sutton won a free kick through Powney just outside the Spalding penalty area. The ball in was met by George at the far post whose shot went straight to the keeper.

The best chance of the second half for Sutton and probably the game fell to Monaghan, when a through ball cut the Spalding’s defence open and a quick turn by the youngster had him one on one with the keeper. The keeper stood tall and Monaghan’s shot was blocked saving a certain goal. With Monaghan coming on early, he did well for one so young, on another day this could have been the game changer.

It was a tough day at the office for the Sutton lads who were well beaten on the day, though this wasn't helped through 6 players that were missing though injury and match bans - one was even waiting on international clearance!

Next up we play Carlton away on Wednesday night where hopefully we can pick up some points. But like last season, we may be slow starters.