Second half goals from Siju Odelusi and Lewis Simper sealed the turnaround over Yeovil Town, as Sutton United came away from Somerset with all three points.
Ciaran McGuckin broke the deadlock when a long ball from Stone bypassed Sutton’s backline and into the path of the on-loan Rotherham United man, who latched onto the ball and calmly lifted the ball over Jack Sims, who misjudged his lob to send the Glovers into the lead heading into the break.
However, substitute Odelusi had an instant impact after coming on at half time, rising highest to meet a deep Simper free kick and send a looping header over Aidan Stone, levelling the score just five minutes after coming on, and it got even better for the U’s moments later as Simper turned from provider to scorer, latching onto a loose ball before firing a powerful low effort from 25-yards that gave Stone no chance.
Yeovil continued to push for a leveller in the latter stages, but a crucial double save from Sims at the death was enough to seal all three points, and end the U’s away campaign on a high.
Victory at Huish Park sees the U’s jump up to 13th in the Vanarama National League table, and bodes them well heading into the National League Cup Final on Tuesday night.
Steve Morison made three like-for-like changes following Easter Monday’s defeat to title-chasing Barnet, with the suspended Tyler French being replaced by Harry Ransom, while his armband was taken by the returning Alex Woodyard, who replaced Odelusi to make his first appearance since the start of April, while top scorer Will Davies came back into the XI in place of Ashley Nadesan.
Davies would be involved in the first real opening of proceedings, which had taken until the tenth minute for either side to see any clear sight of goal. The striker combined nicely with Lewis Simper to tee up the U’s number eight, who tried his luck from outside the box and fired just off target.
This was followed by another chance from distance as Kain Adom whipped a left-footed effort towards the top corner, but could only watch it fly over the crossbar.
Despite controlling much of the opening stages, Yeovil responded with a glorious opportunity as Harvey Greenslade’s cross from the right resulted in a goalmouth scramble that almost saw the Glovers take the lead. Ransom managed to get a foot to the initial delivery which cleared the ball into the path of Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, who’s low drive towards the far corner was blocked, before the follow-up from Ciaran McGuckin cannoned off Hayden Muller and finally away from danger.
In what looked to be an end-to-end affair in Somerset, chances continued to fall for both sides as the tricky Nana Boateng almost caught out Aidan Stone when his fierce cross from the left forced the Yeovil goalkeeper to tip it over the crossbar, before the hosts broke away quickly minutes later with Lo-Everton forcing Jack Sims into a low stop.
Yeovil soon drew first blood though, with a long ball from Stone dropping over the Sutton defence and into the path of McGuckin, who picked his spot and attempted a first-time lob over Sims, who was caught in no man’s land and could only watch it nestle in the back of the net.
In search of an instant leveller, Boateng and Adom both had powerful drives from distance blocked from close range, before Yeovil came close to a second in added time when Charlie Cooper raced forward before seeing a low strike from distance cannon off the post.
There was just enough time at the end of stoppage time for Harry Kite to send a low cross into the box from the right, but Muller was well-placed to clear the danger and ensure it was just the one-goal deficit heading into the break.
A double change at the break saw Adom and Woodyard withdrawn in favour of Nadesan and Odelusi, and proved be a masterstroke of a decision as it took just five minutes for the latter to have an impact as he leaped over everyone else to meet Simper’s delivery and send a looping header over Stone to level with his first goal from open play this season.
And Simper turned to scorer minutes later to turn the game on its head, trying his luck with a spectacular effort from distance that gave Stone no chance and give Sutton the lead.
This was followed by another change for the visitors, with Dillon De Silva making his return to action in place of Boateng, while Yeovil made a triple change in their search for an equaliser.
It was Sutton who came close to scoring next though, with De Silva getting involved immediately as he combined nicely with Simper who drilled in a low cross that flew across the face of goal, with Davies unable to get the desired contact.
This was followed by Davies returning the favour, driving forward before picking out Simper who’s effort was straight down the throat of Stone.
Yeovil continued to push for an equaliser though, with substitute Josh Sims heading a corner into the gloves of his namesake in the Sutton goal, before seven minutes of added time afforded the Glovers one last chance at a leveller.
Sims proved to make up for his earlier mistake at the death though, producing a fantastic save to deny Jake Wannell’s powerful effort from distance, before getting a toe to the rebound to clear the danger and secure the victory.
Yeovil Town: Stone; Whittle (Twamley 89’), Williams, Cousin-Dawson, Kite (Wannell 65’), Lo-Everton, Cooper, Greenslade (Wilson 79’), Bernard (Jarvis 65’), McGuckin (Sims 65’), Terry
Sutton United: Sims; Ransom, Simper, Davies, Muller, Boateng (De Silva 64’), Wadham, Jackson (Vaz 80’), Woodyard (Odelusi 46’), Topallaj, Adom (Nadesan 46’)
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
