Bristol Rovers U18s 1-4 Sutton United U18s
Sutton United under-18s returned to winning ways with an emphatic 4-1 over Bristol Rovers at SGS Wise Campus.
A brace from Vinnie Tume either side of goals from James Fennelow and Ned Hepburn saw the Us take control of the match late in the second half.
Fennelow’s goal was a particularly special moment for the striker, who has recently returned from a long-term injury.
“It’s been great to be back with the boys,” Fennelow told Sutton United FCtv, “I’m getting my confidence back, game by game.
Despite conceding early in the match, the U’s battled back in the first half to create chances of their own. Lovely footwork from George Vorster saw him race into the penalty area before cutting the ball back for Joden Trickett, but his effort was blocked.
At half time, the message from PDP lead coach Rob Tuvey to his team was to continue probing the opposition’s defence and sure enough, within a couple of minutes of the restart, parity was restored. Quick thinking from Liam Moore at a free-kick set Vorster free on the right wing, and his low cross was tapped home at the front post by Tume.
The U’s had the opportunity to take the lead from the spot a few minutes later, but the Rovers keeper guessed correctly to save Trickett’s spot-kick.
The Amber were not disheartened by the set-back and with the injection of fresh legs in attack with Fennelow and Hepburn introduced from the bench, they looked increasingly more likely to nudge ahead. Fennelow himself had two good efforts inside the penalty area that were narrowly off target.
Eventually though, the pressure paid off when Hepburn’s low shot was spurned by the Rovers keeper, allowing Fennelow to convert from close range and give the U’s the lead.
With the Gas reeling from going behind, Sutton used their momentum to good effect. Sheargold’s free-kick was only half cleared by the hosts, with Hepburn on hand to guide the ball past a crowd of bodies into the net off the base of the post.
From the resulting kick-off, Tume latched onto a bouncing ball, setting himself for an acrobatic mid-air finish to give the scoreline a final flourish that reflected Sutton’s strong performance.
“That’s as close to a complete performance that we’ve had since I’ve come in,” Tuvey said post-match. “I’ve asked the boys to put two halves together and I think we did.”
“Overall, I think we’ve dominated for 90 minutes there, and really shown a really put-together performance both on the ball and off the ball, and I’m really pleased.”
Attention for the under-18s now turns to the FA Youth Cup, with a second qualifying round tie against Walton & Hersham, and Tuvey wants to see plenty of support for his team on Monday night.
“It’d be great to see some fans down there supporting the boys on the journey in the Youth Cup.”
“It’s a big competition for the lads, and it’s something we’re really looking forward to. We’ve set our standard now so we’ve got to maintain that.”
Sutton United U18s: Jones (GK), Lee, Reeves, Urpens (Jamieson 46’), Eccleston (C), Moore (Ruiz 70’), Edwards, Sheargold, Trickett (Fennelow 56’), Tume, Vorster (Hepburn 56’)
Unused: Morgan (GK)
Goals: Tume (49’, 77’), Fennelow (72’), Hepburn (76’)
