Sutton United Under-18s kept an important clean sheet in their first competitive action of 2025, drawing 0-0 with Cambridge United in the EFL Youth Alliance.
An impressive defensive effort from the U’s thwarted many of Cambridge’s attacks, while goalkeeper Lenny Jones was in excellent form when called upon.
“The incentive today was to go out and keep a clean sheet,” Glen Nichols, Academy Head of Coaching, told Sutton United FCtv. “We worked really hard over Christmas and into the New Year on that. I’m very, very proud of the boys’ performance today.”
After a tight opening 20 minutes, the U’s found the back of net when Vinnie Tume headed James Fennelow’s cross into the net, but the referee had already blown his whistle to rule that Fennelow had returned from an offside position.
Jones was then called upon twice in the next five minutes, first acrobatically topping a lobbed effort onto the crossbar, before later using a strong hand to divert a ferocious shot behind for a corner.
The U’s best chance of the match came just before the interval, when Tume’s blocked effort fell for Ronny Ruiz on the edge of the box. The midfielder let fly, but a vital intervention from a Cambridge defender prevented the ball from reaching the target.
In the second half, the hosts carried the most threat, but the Amber continued to show great resilience to minimize entries into their penalty area. Under-18s debutant Taylor Boon showed great awareness on several occasions, notably making a lung-busting run across the pitch to halt a dangerous counter attack as the game began to open up.
Cambridge had one final chance deep into stoppage time, as a deep cross bounced the way of a forward at the back post, but Dan Urpens was able to cover on the line and scrape the ball away from danger.
“Taylor [Boon] was at right back today – first time with the Under-18s – and he was exceptional today,” Nichols continued. “He’s run himself into the ground, but the other lads as well – Dan [Urpens], Fred [Jamieson], [Adam] Reeves – were brilliant today.”
“Lenny [Jones] was excellent – absolutely fantastic save back-pedalling for that first one – but his general play, his presence in and around the box, communication with the backline was really good.”
“It wasn’t just the backline who I have quoted, it was a really solid team performance. Our shape was good and we pressed well from the front which we haven’t done in the last few games, so I’m really pleased.”
Sutton United U18s: Jones (GK), Boon (Glen 88’), Urpens, Jamieson, Reeves, Ruiz, Bell, Edwards (Sheargold 67’) Milchev-Szczepaniak, Fennelow (Trickett 56’), Tume (Brown 83’)
Unused: Morgan
The Under-18s are back in action on Tuesday, January 14 as they host Gillingham at Cheam Sports Club in the EFL Youth Alliance Cup (12pm kick-off).
