Sutton United Under-18s fell to a 2-1 defeat in their EFL Youth Alliance match against MK Dons.
After being a goal down at half-time, James Fennelow levelled the match with a penalty midway through the second half before the visitors snatched all three points in the 82nd minute.
“The conversation we had a half-time and after the game is about desire,” Glen Nichols, Academy Head of Coaching, told Sutton United FCtv. “Desire to get the first contact and then the second contact in and around the box, to be dominant in those areas. We haven’t created opportunities from our set plays today, and the delivery was on the money. If we’re better there, these games will be out of sight for us.”
Fennelow came close to opening the scoring inside the first five minutes when he met Dan Urpens’ long throw with his head, but his effort flew off-target.
After a long delay due to an injury, MK took the lead just after the half hour mark, with a low shot curling into the far corner.
On the stroke of half-time, Sheargold had a fantastic opportunity to level the match when he was found at the back post by Vorster, however a reflex stop from the MK Dons keeper denied the midfielder.
Khyan Edwards’ introduction saw the Amber create more chances via the right wing in the second half, the best of which coming after the winger’s cross towards the six-yard box was headed over the bar by Fennelow.
However, after a handball inside the penalty area, Fennelow was able to get his name on the scoresheet from the penalty spot, drawing the U’s back level.
Another cross from the right wing by Edwards should have resulted in an equaliser, but Joden Trickett couldn’t quite guide his effort on target as he ran onto the ball.
The visitors ensured Sutton would rue their missed chances, finding the winning goal with a low shot from the right-hand side of the penalty area.
“We had a lot of chances in the game that we haven’t taken,” Nichols continued. “Our desire to get first contacts and win the ball in both boxes from set plays wasn’t good enough today, and that’s going to be our Achilles’ Heel if we can’t improve upon that.”
“We wanted to go after them and be on the front foot, which created some opportunities for us. The intent was to play forwards and have a really attacking mindset today, and I think that served us well when we were able to bring it into fruition, but naivety in the box has cost us.”
Sutton United U18s: Jones (GK, Morgan 80’), Boon (Wilson 80’), Urpens, Jamieson, Reeves, Ruiz, Bell, Sheargold, Trickett, Vorster (Edwards 46’), Fennelow (Hepburn 70’)
The Under-18s continue their EFL Youth Alliance campaign with a trip to Northampton Town on Saturday, February 1.
