Match Report

Sutton made it seven points from a possible nine on Tuesday with a win at Grosvenor Vale that was a lot harder work than had seemed likely in the first half hour.  Given the lead by a stunning volley from Charlie Waller on his first team debut, Sutton dominated the early stages and could have been further ahead, but Wealdstone rallied late in the first half, drawing one fine save from Steve Arnold, and maintained that level after half time with Us relieved to hear the final whistle having seen home substitute Max Kretzschmar hit the post in stoppage time.

Despite Saturday’s commanding performance against Altrincham, U’s made five changes from that starting line up, with first league starts for Harry Ransom, Jeremy Sivi and Ashley Nadesan and debuts for Waller and new signing Finley Barbrook. After an early scare when Micah Obiero, one of three players brought in by Wealdstone following their defeat by Oldham at the weekend, shot over from a good position inside the first minute Sutton gained control and took the lead in spectacular fashion when Wealdstone cleared a corner to the centre circle, and Josh Coley’s long pass was headed back across goal by Waller. A couple of rebounds saw the ball loop back to the on loan defender, who struck a dipping volley beyond Archie Matthews in to the top far corner of the net.

Wealdstone, still looking for their first point of the season and with former Sutton captain Craig Eastmond unavailable due to a groin injury, almost immediately had the ball in the net at the other end, Henry Sandat flagged offside to cut short the celebrations, but it was Sutton who remained the better team, and Jayden Harris ran on to a neat pass from Nadesan to go clear and fire in a low shot which was saved by Matthews. Wealdstone’s defence was often forced in to hurried clearances, but Sutton were unable to turn superiority in to further goals and just before half time U’s were grateful to Arnold when he superbly tipped over a fiercely struck shot from Brandon Mason.

Matthews also made a good save on the stroke of the interval, keeping out Coley’s low angled volley through a crowd of players, but the Wealdstone keeper had little to do in the second half as his team continued the improvement that had been hinted at before the break and threatened an equaliser. The best chance fell to defender Jack Cook from an excellent Alex Dyer free kick, but as Sutton looked for an offside flag he scooped his shot high over the bar.

Arnold was tested again by Obiero, who cut in from the left but failed to find enough power to seriously trouble the keeper, and Cook missed another chance when he failed to control a cross from the left and saw his effort trickle through to Arnold. The big chance came in stoppage time, though, as a long throw from Deon Woodman landed at Kretzschmar’s feet, and his low shot bounced off Arnold and hit the post before U’s keeper did brilliantly to prevent Enzio Boldewijn forcing an equaliser against his former club from the rebound.

Wealdstone: A Matthews, J Cook, B Mason(sub A Georgiou 75), K Cesay(sub D Woodman 86), A Dyer(sub J Clarke 83), A Mariappa, E Boldewijn, Y Traore(sub M Kretzschmar 66), H Sandat, M Obiero, D Hutchinson. Subs n/u J Adams, T Miller, L Dreher. Booked: Mason.

Referee: Robert Massey-Ellis

You can see highlights here, Steve Morison’s post match reaction is here. We also have pitchside highlights here