A fairly even first half saw Saltdean go close, first when a header went over the bar from a good position, and then when a cross deflected off Mia South to leave Marni Humphries stranded but Abbie Measures was able to get back a clear off the line. Charlotte Pryke had Sutton’s best chance when her shot was saved by the Saltdean keeper, and just before half time the visitors had a goal disallowed for offside.

Despite playing in to the wind Sutton had a great chance to go in front early in the second half when, soon after coming on as a substitute, Amelia Cutler went through but was denied at close range. It was to prove a turning point as within minutes Saltdean, who came in to the game on the back of five straight wins, went ahead and they soon doubled the lead with a tap-in. Laila Malcolm had a shot blocked after being set up by Jas Backhurst, but the in-form visitors were now in control and soon made it 3-0 before a long clearance from the keeper carried on the wind over Marni Humphries for a fourth. They added another with five minutes to go.

The result, coupled with Aylesford and Ashford drawing 2-2, leaves Sutton in theory one win away from securing Premier Division status for next season, but should Aylesford lose at Ebbsfleet next Sunday, with our next game not until the following week against already relegated Crawley AFC at the VBS, that requirement will go down to needing a point. We also still have to play at home to Dorking, a game still to be arranged after being postponed in the week before Easter, and away to Saltdean on Sunday 12 May.

Team: M Humphries, M South, S Modak, H Talbut-Smith, A Measures, J Buckmire, E Clark, M Creaser, C Pryke, L Malcolm, J Backhurst. Subs Z McNulty, C Savage, A Cutler, E Spear, T-A Bussey.