After last week's win at Forest Green which moved Sutton within three points of their opponents and Colchester, U's will be looking to back that result up in front of the home support on Saturday when Accrington Stanley make their first visit to the VBS Community Stadium.
The meeting in Lancashire in September was a sobering one for U's, beaten 4-1 although after Omari Patrick had reduced the arrears to 3-1 in the second half U's missed several golden chances to score again before Accrington's stoppage time fourth. Saturday's opponents have been around mid-table for much of the season having been relegated at the end of last term, winning five times away from home this season, and come in to the encounter with one win in their last seven games, a 2-1 win at Swindon which came after four consecutive defeats and the departure of long standing manager John Coleman. After taking over as interim manager, John Doolan was appointed on a permanent basis on Friday after that win against Swindon and a draw against Notts County last Saturday, and he will welcome Lewis Shipley back from suspension with Joe Pritchard, who returned from a long term injury with a goal in that September meeting, may also be fit to play. Goalkeeper Radel Vitek, on loan from Manchester United, is away on international duty with Czechia Under 20s.
Sutton are also affected by international call ups, with Jay Williams away with Wales Under 21s and Stephen Duke-McKenna and Deon Moore both representing Guyana and both playing in Thursday's 1-0 defeat against Cabo Verde. U's have no new injury worries, though, after last week's win at Forest Green and will be looking to record back to back league wins for the first time this season. One of the sides battling along with Sutton to steer clear of relegation, Colchester United, face league leaders Mansfield Town at the One Call Stadium at 12.30pm on Saturday and you can watch that game live on Sky in Ambers' Bar.
Saturday's referee at the VBS is Tom Nield, an EFL referee since 2017 who is making his first visit to Sutton although has taken charge of away games at Newport last season and Crawley in October 2021. He was the referee for last season's League Two play-off final at Wembley.
Of course it's a big day off the pitch as well with Sutton turning out in a special Royal Aubergine kit to mark a link up with the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, with supporters whose families have been treated at the Royal Marsden having the opportunity to accompany the players onto the pitch as mascots before kick-off. You can find further details here.
As it's an international weekend we are offering season ticket holders of any of the other 90 Premier League or EFL clubs the chance to get their weekly football fix at the VBS for just £10. Turn up at the ticket booth with your season ticket, physical or digital, on Saturday to claim a reduced price ticket.
For all others, tickets can be bought on line here, price £21 for adults, £15 for concessions (age 60+/full time students) and £7 for ages 12-18. Tickets for under 12s are free if bought in conjunction with an adult or concession ticket. Seat prices are £4 more in all cases. We would encourage on line purchase to avoid the £2 increase in these ticket prices for tickets sold in person at the ground on the day.
If you can't get to the VBS on Saturday, the international break also means that the game will be live streamed, and a match pass for £10 can be purchased here. A match programme can be ordered on line here, priced £3 plus postage, to be sent out after the game.
As always the fan zone will be open from 12.30pm, with a Signal happy hour until 1.30pm when a pint of beer costs £3.50. As well as the Mansfield v Colchester game at lunchtime in Ambers, you can also watch Stockport v MK Dons later in the afternoon (5.15pm kick off) and in the evening the friendly international between England and Brazil from Wembley (7pm kick off). There will also be a Strikers Are Key draw in Ambers after the game.
We are happy to report that for once there is a Thameslink service through West Sutton on Saturday, although due to engineering works the service is reduced to every half hour and operating via the Wimbledon side of the loop only. Supporters travelling from stations between Streatham and Sutton via Mitcham Junction should use Southern services to Sutton and change to the Thameslink there.
The academy side have an away game against Swindon Town at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, kick off 11am.
