Sutton United Under-18s exited the EFL Youth Alliance Cup at the last-16 stage after a 3-2 defeat to Bromley.
Mikey Milchev-Szczepaniak’s brace was cancelled out by three second-half goals for the hosts, who advance to the quarter finals of the competition.
“We spent the week working on certain aspects of the game – defensively and in possession – and we’ve come into the game and done none of it to be honest,” Glen Nichols, Academy Head of Coaching, told Sutton United FCtv. “We’ve not applied the things we’ve worked on, and almost gone a bit freestyle today, which isn’t good enough and ultimately cost us the game.”
The game’s first clear chance saw Joden Trickett pounce on a loose ball inside the penalty area before shooting from a tight angle, calling the Bromley keeper into action with a strong block at his near post.
Lenny Jones’ reflexes were tested following a close-range volleyed effort that required a strong hand to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Entering the final five minutes of the half, the U’s took the lead when James Fennelow redirected Ronny Ruiz’s cut-back into the path of Milchev-Szczepaniak, who was in the right place at the right time to convert at the back post to score his first goal of the season.
Then on the stroke of half-time, Milchev-Szczepaniak doubled his tally with a cool finish from a one-on-one opportunity, strengthening his side’s advantage in the game.
However, Bromley mounted in a come back in the second half, pulling a goal back within the first five minutes following a neat near post finish from George Evans.
Evans would then convert a penalty on the hour mark, after Jones felled a Bromley attacker inside the 18-yard box.
The hosts’ turnaround was completed when Nathan Patten headed what proved to be the winning goal into the net from a corner.
A stronger end to the half from Sutton didn’t produce an equaliser, with Trickett coming the closest to levelling the scores when his one-on-one shot was saved by the Bromley keeper.
“What I’ve seen today is a team that wanted it more than us,” continued Nichols. “I’ve singled out Charlie [Bell] after the game, he was exceptional and covered every blade of astro by pressing and hustling. But I’ve said to the boys that he was the only one – and I’m going to be honest with you – that’s given us 100% today.”
“We’ve got to take lessons from that but ultimately we’ve been beaten by a side that wanted it more than us.”
Sutton United U18s: Jones (GK), Boon (Wilson 80’), Urpens, Jamieson, Reeves, Ruiz (Chislett 86’), Bell, Sheargold, Fennelow (Edwards 71’), Trickett, Milchev-Szczepaniak (Hepburn 71’)
The Under-18s return to league action with a trip to Stevenage on Saturday, February 15.
