Match Report

Sutton made it two wins out of three on Tuesday with a comfortable win against National League South newcomers Hornchurch, who Steve Morison had set on the way to the Isthmian League title last season before joining Sutton in January.

As at Farnborough on Saturday U’s changed the whole starting line-up on the hour, by which time U’s were already in command of the game thanks to goals from Eduino Vaz and Joden Trickett, and a Jayden Harris strike eighteen minutes from time rounded off a victory that might have been more comprehensive but for some good saves from the Hornchurch goalkeepers.

Hornchurch had the better early chances, Steve Arnold saving with his legs in a one-on-one situation from Liam Nash before the same player shot just wide after Junior Eccleston’s clearance had been returned first time from the half way line. At the other end Trickett had a header scrambled off the line after Tyler French had escaped the Hornchurch defence to head a free kick back across goal, but U’s were in front in the 26th minute when Jeremy Sivi made room to cross low from the left, and although Trickett was unable to force the ball past goalkeeper Mason Terry, Vaz was following in to force the ball over the line.

Josh Coley went close soon afterwards with a shot that just evaded the far post, but five minutes after half time Sutton did have a second when a fine cross from the left from Lewis Simper found Sivi at the far post, and although he was unable to get his shot away he flicked the ball up for Trickett to nod in to the net from close range.

Coley missed a good chance to add to the lead when he failed to connect with a low cross from the right, while Arnold pushed away a low shot that came through a crowd of players, before U’s made the changes on the hour mark. Nana Boateng was unlucky not to put his name on the scoresheet when he met Vinnie Tume’s pull back with a fierce first time shot that was brilliantly kept out by Terry, the goalkeeper’s last act before being replaced, and his substitute, Joe Wright, was soon beaten as Tume’s fine turn and pass sent Harris clear to drive in a low shot that went through the keeper in to the net.

If he was unhappy at being beaten by that effort, Wright made amends with a good save from a Harris free kick, and another save low down to deny the same player, while U’s preserved a clean sheet at the other end, Sam Roberts well placed to save from a late header.