Match Report - Lincoln United 1 - 2 SCTFC

Toothy keeps an unchanged side form the one that beat Redditch in midweek, with only Healey coming to the subs bench replacing the departed Monaghan.

Sutton started brightly with the sun shining with a corner being earned on the first attack of the game. Okoro played it short to George who fired into the box, the keeper fumbled, but the defence cleared before Sutton could capitalize. The Lincoln defence looked edgy and Sutton looked full of running and confidence.

Martin put the ball across the box, Edwin dummied the ball and Okoro dribbled passed the Lincoln defender and shot into the bottom left hand corner of the goal catching everyone out. 0-1 Sutton.

George put Sutton in with another opportunity minutes later with a floated ball into the area. Edwin rose with the goalkeeper but the ball was cleared for another corner to Sutton. From the corner, Marselia tried his luck with a first time shot but the Lincoln defence blocked it.

It was all Sutton, but Lincoln did remind them they were there. North tried an overhead kick which went just over the bar.

Marselia took a great ball down from a Gwilliams long kick, he laid it off to George who ran into the box, squared to Edwin who shot towards goal but the diving Battersby was equal to it.

The game was a physical one and this was felt by Leek who was punched in the face by the keeper as he jumped for the ball from a Powney throw in. Nothing was given, and fair play to Leek just got on with the game.

Christophorou fired a ball into the box for Halsall who snuck in at the back post, but the keeper spotted the run and cut him out.

Lincoln hit back with a couple of efforts through Burnett and North, but neither effort was on target and Gwilliams was left untroubled.

Right before half time, Okoro picked the ball up wide and beat the defence to put a sharp ball across the box for Edwin to hit the roof of the net at the far post to send Sutton into dreamland. Dreaming of their first points of the season! Lincoln 0 - Sutton 2

Second half and Lincoln came out on the attack with Beresford clearing his lines with a brilliant header away.

Okoro took the attack to the other end setting up Edwin from the corner who fired just over the bar.

Leek had a great run beating a couple of defenders on the wing and taking a shot, which the keeper had to tip over to stop a certain goal.

Lincoln had the ball in the net, but it was ruled out for offside. With Sutton sitting deep, it was encouraging the opposition more and more.

After another couple of efforts by Lincoln, it was welcome relief to see Marselia pick up the ball and run it into the opposition’s half. He played a one two with Edwin for him to fire a lovely shot just past the corner of the goal.

71 minutes in, and Edwin came off for Gibson to try his luck.

Leek took on the Lincoln defence again, this time he chipped a ball over the defender causing the goalkeeper to jump backwards to tip the ball over.

On 82 minutes, disaster struck for Sutton as a penalty was awarded to Lincoln for a handball. Gwilliams proved the saviour, as he dived to his right to palm the ball away.

Toothy made another substitution on 84 minutes as legs were tired, but also with one eye on shoring up the defence, Okoro came off for Powney.

Right at the death, Lincoln were awarded a free kick just outside the area and Williams took it, curling round the wall into the corner of the net. Probably a deserved consolation goal for their second half performance.

Sutton have had a great week, with two victories back to back and their first in the league. Hopefully the Royals will be on a run now with increased confidence, self-belief and working better as a team.

Onwards and upwards for the Sutton lads as the Royals go marching on.

Kettering in the F.A cup next Saturday so lets go one further than last season.