Sutton United Under-18s secured their first league win of 2025 with a 2-1 victory over Northampton Town.
Bobby Sheargold opened the scoring after half an hour before setting Joden Trickett up to double the lead on the stroke of half time, giving the U’s a commanding advantage that proved to be enough for the three points, despite a late consolation goal for the hosts.
Although pleased with the win, Glen Nichols – Academy Head of Coaching – hoped his side would be more clinical in future to kill games off earlier.
“In the first half we controlled the game for long spells,” Nichols told Sutton United FCtv. “But I’ve just said to the boys we’ve got to be better in that second half.”
“We’ve had loads of final third entries, not taken our opportunities, and invited pressure. I’m delighted with the win, but we need a better performance going forwards.”
The first shot on goal in the match came from the boot of Ronny Ruiz, who bent a central free-kick around the wall, but couldn’t beat Elliot Smith in the Northampton goal.
Lenny Jones made a reaction save to deny a Cobblers trialist from scoring at the back post, before later denying Aleks Jevterevs’ volley to keep the match scoreless.
Industrious work from Adam Reeves on the left wing allowed him to cross towards the edge of the six-yard box, but Trickett’s flick-on hit the side netting.
Trickett was then denied by the reflexes of Smith when Sheargold squared the ball to him, with the Northampton keeper spreading himself well to block the shot.
However, on the 30-minute mark, the hosts’ resistance was finally broken when Ned Hepburn’s cutback was tucked away by the right foot of Sheargold to open the scoring.
The Cobblers should have equalised a few minutes later, but Joziah Barnett couldn’t hit the target after a cross fell kindly for the forward.
Deep into first half stoppage time, the U’s made good on their fortune by doubling their advantage, when Sheargold capitalized on an errant pass before laying the ball off for Trickett to finish with ease and deservedly get his name on the scoresheet.
After a quiet start to the second half, Northampton came close to pulling a goal back when Josh Rayfield’s free-kick curled just over the crossbar.
Play opened up in the final 15 minutes with the hosts chasing a way back into the match, but on the counter-attack, substitute James Fennelow had a good chance to add to the Sutton lead when he was found by Mikey Milchev-Szczepaniak, but the forward’s shot was straight Smith.
Two minutes into stoppage time, Jones was finally beaten in the U’s goal when Charlie Carroll stole in at the back post to reach a deep cross, but it proved to be too little too late as the U’s were able to hold on for the win.
Also speaking to Sutton United FCtv, Sheargold reflected on his goal contributions and how he’s worked on making better decisions in the final third.
“[For the first goal] Ned’s made a good run on the right,” said Sheargold. “I’ve delayed my run into the box, taken a touch, and just hit it and fortunately it’s gone in.”
“[For the second goal] Even from when Rob [Tuvey] was here, he always taught us to play the extra pass. I could have been selfish but Joden was in a better position to score.”
Sutton United U18s: Jones, Boon, Urpens, Jamieson, Reeves, Ruiz, Bell, Sheargold, Hepburn, Trickett (Fennelow 63’), Milchev-Szczepaniak
Unused: Morgan, Wilson, Chislett, Brown
The Under-18s’ next fixture is a trip to Stevenage on February 15, while trials for our 2025/26 Elite College Programme are on February 8. To register your interest, click here.
