League leaders prove too strong at Dartford

London & South East Regional League leaders Dartford made it eight wins from eight games this season, although the margin of defeat was harsh on Sutton, who created several chances in the second half to make the game closer.

Dartford went in front after twelve minutes when a home striker reached a through ball just before Zoe McNulty and forced the ball past her with just enough power for it to cross the line. Seven minutes before half time another long ball caused a mix-up between McNulty and Sophie Modak that allowed a home player to score from a narrow angle, but right at the end of the half U’s were gifted a way back when the home goalkeeper made a complete mess of trying to collect a harmless through pass from Jas Backhurst and the ball somehow found its way in to the net.

Sutton failed to capitalise, though, and within two minutes of the start of the second half a poor clearance from Caitlin Savage was fired back at McNulty by a home player, the keeper getting both hands to the ball but unable to keep it out. Ella Meehan missed a good chance to pull one back when she just failed to reach a Chloe Francis free kick, and headed over from a Backhurst corner, and before the end Francis hit the bar with another free kick and Kaydence Kabadaki saw the ball rebound just wide as she charged down a clearance. 

Chances were taken at the other end, a close range header making it 4-1, a shot from a rebound after McNulty had made a good save adding a fifth before a volley following a corner and an angled shot that McNulty again got hands to rounded off the scoring. McNulty also made two more good saves and Savage produced two superb last ditch tackles to prevent Dartford adding further goals.

Sutton: Z McNulty, M Knowlton South, J Backhurst, S Modak, E Meehan, C Savage, N Hurst, A Bowles, C Francis, D Wells, L Murtagh. Subs K Kabadaki, A Tyrer, E Spear, M Humphries

Next week it’s FA Cup action at the VBS as Sutton play Sport London E Benfica, kick off 2pm. Buy tickets here.

The reserves also lost to a side top of their league, Greater London Women’s League leaders Tooting Bec winning 5-0 in the Capital Intermediate Cup. Next week they are away to Croydon at Croydon Arena in a league game. The development side had a walkover in their Capital Junior Cup game against Hersham, and have another blank weekend next weekend.