Sutton United Under-18s continued their unbeaten start to 2025 after drawing 2-2 with Bromley in the EFL Youth Alliance.
First half goals from Bobby Sheargold and Charlie Bell split two goals from Bromley, before Lenny Jones saved a penalty in the 89th minute to prevent the visitors stealing all three points.
“We’ve had to work hard and defend lots of corners and long throws, particularly in that second half,” Glen Nichols, Academy Head of Coaching, told Sutton United FCtv. “There were moments where we would have 5-10 minute spells and then it would go back, so at the end of the day I think the draw was a fair result.”
The first big chance of the match was created by Sheargold when his press forced an error from a Bromley defender, which allowed the midfielder to dart forward and shoot from 10 yards out, but his effort was dragged wide.
Against the run of play, the visitors then took the lead from the penalty spot, after Lenny Jones brought down an on-rushing forward.
Despite the setback, the U’s continued to probe in search of opportunities, and struck back in the 37th minute. Bell pounced on a scuffed clearance from the Bromley keeper and laid the ball off to Sheargold, who drove into the penalty area before cutting back onto his right foot and shooting. The ball took a deflection off a defender which wrong-footed the goalkeeper before sailing into the net.
Another inaccurate clearance from the Bromley keeper saw the U’s take the lead on the stroke of half-time. This time it was Ronny Ruiz who initially intercepted the ball, with Bell taking over before unleashing a fierce strike from 30 yards out that flew into the goal.
In the second half, Bromley grabbed an equaliser after a long throw was bundled into the net from close range, setting up a frantic final 30 minutes as both teams pushed for a winner.
Both teams tested each other predominantly through set pieces, but both defences stood firm, until Bromley were presented with an opportunity to win the match after being awarded a late penalty.
After the first penalty has beaten Jones to his left, this time the Amber keeper dived to the right and managed to get a strong hand behind the shot, before Dan Urpens cleared the ball away from danger.
The referee’s full-time whistle confirmed brought an end to a busy but positive seven-day period for the Amber, going unbeaten in their first three fixtures of 2025.
“We had a really tough spell before Christmas, but we’ve knuckled down in training,” Nichols continued.
“We’re trying to go after clean sheets – which we haven’t got today – but last Saturday was a building block with that 0-0 draw. The boys took a lot of positives from that, had a great performance and result on Tuesday, and again we showed our resilience to pick up a point today.”
Sutton United U18s: Jones (GK), Boon, Reeves, Urpens, Jamieson, Bell, Ruiz, Sheargold (Hepburn 77’), Brown (Edwards 66’), Trickett
Unused: Morgan, Tacey, Lowe
The Under-18s are back in action on Saturday, January 25, hosting MK Dons at Cheam Sports Ground.
