Sutton United are back on the road this weekend, with a trip to Braintree Town on Saturday.

Last Time Out

Luke Hannant’s second half penalty was all that stood between Sutton United and Gateshead, with the U’s falling to a third league defeat in a row.

The first half saw the home side threaten the most, with Eduino Vaz’s driven effort at goal and Will Davies’ blocked effort the closest they came. The visitors were happy to pass the ball between the backline and soak up the Sutton pressure but neither side could conjure an opener within the opening half.

With little action in the first half, it took a handball from Finley Barbrook to open the floodgates shortly before the hour-mark with Hannant converting from the spot, and although Steve Morison’s side created a handful of chances in their search for a leveller, were unable to find a way through to a stubborn Heed defence.

Watch the highlights here.

The Opposition

Braintree Town are a side who have bounced between the fifth tier and the sixth tier for a number of years now, but have remained as low as the latter since promotion in 2007. The Iron found themselves back in the former after a five-year absence back in May, with goals from Dom Odusanya, Aaron Blair, Charlie Wakefield and Reggie Lambe securing victory after extra time in the play-off final against Worthing.

Angelo Harrop since made some shrewd signings in their attempt to remain in the National League, with a lot of fifth tier experience arriving at Cressing Road. Colchester United trio John Akinde, Chay Cooper and Frankie Terry made the move across Essex, along with Barnet trip Finley Wilkinson, Joe Grimwood and Jermaine Frances and Eastleigh duo George Langston and Ryan Clampin. Goalkeeper Lucas Povolan replaced Jack Sims in goal following his move to the U’s in the summer, with Jamal Fyfield and Louie Annesley adding to the defensive reinforcements from Boreham Wood and Dundalk respectively. The Iron have also added proven goalscorer Inih Effiong to their ranks, alongside Callum Powell, James Vennings, Finley Barnes, Kyrell Lisbie, Christie Ward, Paris Lock and Matt Robinson.

The Iron currently sit 21st in the Vanarama National League table, and will be looking to return to winning ways after two successive defeats.

Recent Form

Wealdstone 3-2 Braintree Town

Forest Green Rovers 2-1 Braintree Town

Braintree Town 1-0 Bishop’s Stortford

Braintree Town 2-0 Altrincham

Rochdale AFC 1-0 Braintree Town

Braintree Town 1-0 FC Halifax Town

The Manager

Angelo Harrop

Former Colchester United youngster Angelo Harrop started out in coaching in the MLS between 2007 and 2009, later taking over at Stanway Rovers in 2013 where he had previously worked as Director of Football.

Harrop later took over the hotseat at Brightlingsea Regent, guiding them to the title in the Ryman League Division One North in 2016/17.

This would be followed by a seven-year stint as a scout at Norwich City before joining AFC Sudbury in 2021, later leaving his role as joint manager of the Isthmian League division north side to take charge at Braintree Town in 2022.

Having initially guided the Iron to an unsuccessful play-off campaign in his first season, Harrop’s Braintree side were the best defensive unit in the league the following campaign, and ended with promotion to the National League via the play-offs.

One to Watch

Kyrell Lisbie

Young forward Kyrell Lisbie has begun the campaign in fine form, and is currently the Iron’s top scorer with three goals.

The 20-year old spent time in the academies of West Ham United and Watford, before joining Woodford Town ahead of the 2022/23 season. Lisbie later enjoyed stints at Welling United and Cray Valley (PM) before making the switch to Braintree Town in the summer.

Head-To-Head

Sutton United 0-3 Braintree Town (12/03/2019)

Braintree Town 2-2 Sutton United (27/11/2018)

Braintree Town 1-0 Sutton United (10/01/2017)

Sutton United 1-2 Braintree Town (13/09/2016)

Played for Both

Jack Sims

U’s goalkeeper Jack Sims joined the club in the summer, fresh off a successful campaign at Cressing Road in the National League South.

The Blackpool academy product joined the Iron from Welling United in 2022, and quickly established himself as Angelo Harrop’s number one choice between the sticks. The 25-year old made 42 appearances as the Essex-based outfit achieved a seventh place finish in the sixth tier, before falling short in the play-offs against Worthing in the eliminator round.

Sims had formed a reputation for being an acrobatic shot stopper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet, and was a standout in the entire division once again in 2023/24, winning three consecutive Player of the Month awards as the Iron finished in the top seven once again. The goalkeeper would end the campaign with an inclusion in the National League South Team of the Season, and was justified with his performances in the play-offs seeing the Iron improve on their previous attempt. Harrop’s side would get all the way to the final, before overcoming Worthing at the last stage to seal their revenge over the Rebels and end a five-year absence from the National League.

Team News

Jayden Harris and Finley Barbrook are both unavailable for the trip to Cressing Road due to suspension, with both midfielders picking up their fifth yellow card of the campaign against Gateshead.

As for those in the treatment room, Lewis Simper is set to remain on the sidelines for a few weeks after going off last weekend against Oldham Athletic, along with Ryan Jackson and Edwin Agbaje who both continue to recover from respective retina and hamstring injuries.

Hayden Muller is nearing a return from a hamstring injury after over a month out of action, but alongside Harry Ransom, won’t be available for selection until after the FA Cup First Round against Birmingham next Sunday.

You can watch Steve Morison’s full pre-match interview here.

Officials

Richie Watkins is the man with the whistle on Saturday, taking charge of a Sutton game for the first time in his career. He has been a National League referee since the beginning of 2023, and has subsequently refereed several League Two games, most recently last Saturday’s game between Carlisle United and Harrogate Town.

How to Follow

Video

Overseas-based supporters can follow the action on National League TV, by a purchasing a match pass here for £9.99.

Audio

Supporters will also be able to listen to all the action, with a Mixlr audio commentary being available and will be posted on social media accounts before kick-off.

At the Rare Breed Meat Co. Stadium

Advance online prices for ground admission are as follows:

Adults: £21

Concessions (OAPs): £16

Under-18s: £11

Under-12s: £6

Click here to purchase a ticket.

Segregation will be in place for this match. Home supporters will access the stadium via gates 1 – 4, with away supporters via gates 7 & 8.

The Away Fan Zone will be open from 1pm, with a selection of lagers and ales on sale from the Quag End Arms behind the goal – to the right as you enter the stadium via gates 7&8. Sindy’s Hot Food outlet will also be open next to the bar.

Travel Info

The Supporters’ coach leaves at 11am – meet at the ground at 10.45am. The cost is £25 return.

Independent travellers by car should head for the Galleys Corner roundabout on the A120, either via the M11 (leave at junction 8) or the A12 (leave at junction 21 and take the B1018 from Witham). Cressing Road is the first exit on the roundabout if on the A120 and second if on the B1018. Clockhouse Way is then about three quarters of a mile along on the left.

Braintree station is about a 10-15 minute walk from the ground and is served by an hourly service from Liverpool Street at 48 minutes past the hour, taking just over an hour. Return is at 59 minutes past the hour. Turn right along Station Approach, continue in to Railway Street then right in to Trinovantian Way which then becomes Lakes Road. Go left in to Chapel Hill, and Clockhouse Way is on the right.

Kit Watch

The U’s will be wearing their white away kit for just the second time this season. You can purchase a replica version here.