The U’s are back in action this Saturday, and will be looking to make it two wins in a row at home to Ebbsfleet United in front of new co-owner Paul Brunson, who is set to announce his Amber Army 100 initiative on the weekend
Last Time Out
Steve Morison’s side are fresh off a first victory in six outings, with strikes from Josh Coley and Ashley Nadesan either side of an own goal from Joe Gubbins sealing a 3-1 win at Southend United, having initially gone behind due to an early Gus Scott-Morriss goal.
Watch the highlights here.
The Opposition
Ebbsfleet have begun a new era after a winless start to the season brought the dismissal of Danny Searle, with former Rangers coach Harry Watling taking the reins last week. Watling got off to a winning start to life at Stonebridge Park, with a first half Rakish Bingham strike securing a 1-0 victory over Hartlepool United just two days after taking charge.
The Fleet have spent much of their recent history in the National League South with promotion in 2023 ending a three-year absence from the fifth tier. The Kent-based outfit survived by the skin of their teeth last season, with a goalless draw against relegation rivals Boreham Wood on the final day of the season enough to keep hold of their National League status whilst simultaneously condemning the Wood to the sixth tier.
Ebbsfleet have begun the current campaign in similar territory, despite bringing in plenty of non-league and EFL experience in the summer. Jim Kellerman, Lewis Page, Giles Phillips, Wesley Fonguck, Kwame Thomas, Louis John and Tyler Cordner all joined from fellow National League clubs while Jephte Tanga and Tom Dallison arrived in Kent from Leyton Orient and Colchester United respectively. The Fleet have also added former U Will Randall to their ranks in recent weeks, in an attempt to bolster their firepower up top with the club sitting sit rock bottom after nine games, but just two points from safety following last weekend’s win.
Recent Form
Ebbsfleet United 1-0 Hartlepool United
Ebbsfleet United 0-0 Aldershot Town
Altrincham 4-0 Ebbsfleet United
Ebbsfleet United 0-1 FC Halifax Town
Braintree Town 0-0 Ebbsfleet United
Ebbsfleet United 0-3 Woking
The Manager
Harry Watling arrived in Kent just last week in his first managerial position in English football, and got off to a perfect start with victory over Hartlepool last Saturday.
The 34-year old became one of the youngest coaches in England to achieve UEFA A, B and Pro licences having started out as an academy coach for Chelsea aged 20, and started his coaching career with a six-year stint at Stamford Bridge before embarking on similar roles at Millwall and West Ham United, where he was academy head coach from 2018 to 2021.
He would later be named head coach at USL Championship side Hartford Athletic, spending 18 months from January 2021 in the United States where he broke several records including most goals scored and most clean sheets in his first season, as well as breaking the club record for the biggest ever win in their history when he beat New York Red Bulls II 7–0 at home who had seven MLS contracted players from the first team in the lineup.
After returning to the UK, Watling gained high profile roles with Championship Queens Park Rangers and then Scottish Premiership side Glasgow Rangers, taking on the role of First Team Coach alongside Michael Beale at both.
One to Watch
Tyler Cordner
Former AFC Bournemouth defender Tyler Cordner joined the Fleet on loan from fellow National League club York City, having previously spent time at Stonebridge Road back in 2019. The 25-year old rose through the ranks at Dean Court and gained experience on loan at Havant & Waterlooville, prior to his first spell with Ebbsfleet on loan in 2019/20. He made 20 appearances during this stint, and enjoyed further loans at Scunthorpe United and Southend United before departing the Cherries for Weymouth in 2021.
Cordner made 41 appearances during his single season at the Bob Lucas Stadium, and continued his good form the following season with Aldershot Town, with a first call-up to England C cementing his reputation as one of the best defenders in the division. He later joined York City ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, and helped the Minstermen remain in the division by a point.
Head-To-Head
Ebbsfleet United 1-1 Sutton United (01/02/2020)
Sutton United 2-3 Ebbsfleet United (26/10/2019)
Sutton United 1-0 Ebbsfleet United (26/01/2019)
Ebbsfleet United 0-1 Sutton United (14/08/2018)
Ebbsfleet United 0-1 Sutton United (21/04/2018)
Sutton United 0-0 Ebbsfleet United (28/10/2017)
Played for Both
Former U Louis John joined Ebbsfleet in the summer having been released from the VBS Community Stadium back in June, following a total of nine years at the club.
The Crawley Town academy product arrived in South London initially on loan in 2014, with the move being made permanent after a successful stint. John would subsequently spend four years with the U’s where he made 117 appearances, and was a part of the squad that won the National League South title in 2016.
The defender later moved on loan to the Fleet for the 2016/17 season, with John soon departing Gander Green Lane permanently a year later, although he would return for his second spell in 2019, again on an initial loan which was made permanent. This would see him add a further 166 appearances to his U’s tally, and enjoyed even more success with the club being promoted as champions to League Two for the first time, with John scoring the second goal in a 3-0 victory over Hartlepool United that secured the title. He also started in the U’s fourth ever trip to Wembley Stadium, contributing to their run to the Papa John’s Trophy Final the following season.
Following three seasons in League Two, the U’s time in the EFL would come to an end back in April, and with John appearing just once from the final 18 games of the season, would depart at the expiry of his contract with 283 appearances to his name, later joining Ebbsfleet for his second spell at Stonebridge Road.
Team News
Defender Ryan Jackson is back in training and could be available for selection after going off with a head injury last weekend against Southend United, with Head Coach Steve Morison claiming he is ‘in a much better state’, while Hayden Muller will remain out for another four to five weeks with a hamstring problem sustained against Dagenham & Redbridge.
There is more positive news regarding Dillon De Silva though, who is back on the grass after picking up a knee injury on the opening day of the season against Tamworth. The Sri Lanka international is now taking part in light training, and isn’t too far away from being back in contention. You can keep up to tabs with Dillon’s recovery here.
Finally, new signing Edwin Agbaje continues his recovery from a hamstring problem picked up during pre-season with Ipswich Town and is a couple of weeks away from being available for selection.
Morison’s full pre-match interview is available to view here.
Officials
Richard Eley will be the man with the whistle on Saturday, officiating in a Sutton game for the first time although he has been refereeing in the National League since the start of this year.
How to Follow
Video
Overseas supporters can watch a live stream on National League TV, by a purchasing a match pass here for £9.99.
Audio
UK-based supporters will 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 VBS
Advance online prices for ground admission are as follows:
Adults: £21
Concessions (age over 60/students with current ID): £15
Junior (age 14-18): £7
Under-14s: Free if accompanied by adult or senior concession
Seat prices are £4 more in all cases. Supporters are reminded that these cheaper advance prices are available up to kick-off, and while tickets will be available on the day, tickets bought in person on the day carry a price increase of £2.
Click here to purchase a ticket.
There are no trains through West Sutton station on Saturday, with the whole Thameslink loop through Sutton affected. Trains to Sutton from Victoria and London Bridge are operating normally, but the journey from Sutton station will need to be completed on foot or by bus routes 80 or 413, which also connects with the Northern Line at Morden.
Kit Watch
The U’s will be wearing their amber home kit once more. You can purchase a replica version here.
