Sutton’s academy side gained revenge for their heavy defeat at Gillingham just before Christmas with an impressive victory which earned U’s a place in the knockout stages of the EFL Youth Alliance Cup at their opponents’ expense. Needing to win by a two goal margin to progress, a more experienced side than that which had played in December had the required lead early in the second half, and after Gillingham had put themselves back in the qualifying position with a fine goal fifteen minutes from time, captain Junior Eccleston headed the decisive goal three minutes later.

Playing down the slope Sutton had an early chance when George Vorster’s shot was deflected wide, while at the other end Lenny Jones was down well to push a low shot wide while a superb tackle from Eccleston denied Gillingham what looked a certain goal after a mistake by Dan Urpens had left a striker clear.

Sutton went ahead seven minutes before half time when Bobby Sheargold’s 25-yard shot slipped through the goalkeeper’s hands in to the net, and it might have been two before the break when Vorster cut in from the right and shot against the outside of the post. Vorster wasn’t to be denied, though, and four minutes after the interval Joden Trickett did well to shake off a challenge on the right before firing in a low cross that was turned in by Vorster from close range.

Ronny Ruiz shot over when well placed as U’s looked to press home the advantage, and Eccleston had a goal ruled out for a foul following a corner, but Gillingham were always in the game and fifteen minutes from time Jones had no chance to stop a well struck shot from outside the penalty area. Three minutes later, though, Eccleston had more luck with a far post header from a corner that the keeper couldn’t prevent from crossing the line. A fine save by the keeper from substitute James Fennelow prevented the lead being extended but in stoppage time Gillingham should have scored when a left wing cross was met with a header that lacked direction, enabling U’s to go through.

Sutton: L Jones, J Eccleston, A Reeves, L Moore, D Urpens, F Jamieson, G Vorster, R Ruiz, J Trickett(sub K Edwards 81), V Tume, B Sheargold(sub J Fennelow 75). Sub n/u K Morgan.

On Saturday we are back at Cheam Sports Club for a home league game against Bromley, kick off 10am.