FA Youth Cup: Walton & Hersham U18s 1-3 Sutton United U18s

Sutton United Under-18s secured a berth in the third qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup with a 3-1 win at Walton & Hersham.

Second half goals from George Vorster, James Fennelow, and Vinnie Tume saw the U’s come back to win from a goal down at half-time for a second time in three days.

Speaking to Sutton United FCtv, PDP lead coach Rob Tuvey was pleased his team were able to secure the win.

“It’s a competition where you’ve got to find ways to win at times, and we’ve done that tonight,” said Tuvey.

Khyan Edwards almost gave Sutton the perfect start inside the first couple of minutes after being released one-on-one, but his shot cannoned off the crossbar.

The hosts then grabbed the opening goal against the run of play, after U’s keeper Charlie Fletcher collided with a Swans forward on the edge of the penalty area to concede a free-kick in a dangerous position. Nik Aventoom promptly curled the ball into the corner of the net to open the scoring.

In the second half, the U’s rallied and found themselves back on level terms courtesy of Vorster. The forward was on hand to bundle a squared ball into the net.

Brimming with confidence after his goal against Bristol Rovers at the weekend, Fennelow made another key impact off the bench as he rose highest to nod Liam Moore’s corner home to give the Amber a deserved lead.

After a period of late pressure from, Walton and Hersham, Ned Hepburn harried the keeper and dispossessed him, before knocking the ball into the path of Tume who kept his composure to slot the ball into the goal and seal the win.

With the cup campaign well and truly underway, Tuvey is hoping this group of players can go on a special run in the competition.

“It creates magical moments and memories. There’s boys that I’ve taken through that still talk about this competition to this day so that’s what we’ve challenged the boys to do. Create memories, create history, try and go the furthest we can in this competition this season.”

“We look forward to who we get in the next round. We respect every opposition that we play, and we’ll be ready for them.”

Fletcher (GK), Urpens, Reeves, Sheargold (Hepburn 62’), Eccleston, Jamieson (Bell 52’), Edwards (Lee 83’), Moore, Tume, Trickett (Fennelow 62’), Vorster

Unused: Jones (GK), Morgan (GK), Ruiz, Milchev-Szczepaniak

Goals: Vorster (68’), Fennelow (80’), Tume (90+5’)

The Under-18s return to EFL Youth Alliance action next Saturday with a trip to Newport County.