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2004/05 MATCH REPORTS
U’s v Horley (17/07/04)
United kicked-off their 2004/05 pre-season campaign with a trip to Horley, who were officially opening their New Defence Stadium. There were no familiar faces amongst the new players lining up for Sutton.
In a slow start to the game there was little action before the twenty minute mark, save for a deep cross from the right wing by Chris Nurse, which was scrambled clear after two minutes. Twenty minutes in, a Horley corner almost lead to the first goal of the game but John Odlum dived full length in the U’s goal to push the ball around the right post.
Sutton began to look more positive as the game neared the half-hour. First, Matt Gray took a short free kick to Paul Honey on the edge of the box, but his sweetly struck effort went just wide of the right post. A minute later, striker Dominic Gauci curled a low shot from the corner of the area within inches of the bottom of the same upright.
After 38 minutes Honey opened up the Horley defence when he played in Gray down the right wing but Gray’s low cross just eluded Kenny David as it zipped across the face of the goal.
Within a minute United attacked the Horley goal to much better effect when David’s weak shot was fumbled by the ‘keeper to the feet of Gauci, who had the simplest task in rolling the ball into the back of the net from eighteen yards. Half-time: U’s 1, Horley 0.
After four substitutions during the interval, including the introduction of Aaron Cole-Bolt, United looked a better team in the second half. Substitute Omar Congo crossed into the area from the left wing early in the half but Lee Richardson, formerly of Molesey, could not get any power on his shot.
Ronnie Green, previously with Kingstonian and Carshalton, could have added a second goal half way into the second period but could not get over the cross from Craig Watkins and headed tamely over at the back post after an excellent pass from Cole-Bolt had created space for Watkins down the right flank.
With fifteen minutes remaining, Jesper Nielsen wasted a good chance when Gray’s corner fell to him just inside the six yard box but he could not bring the ball under control and knocked a soft effort straight at the ‘keeper.
Gray finally doubled Sutton’s lead after 83 minutes when Cole-Bolt was shoved in the back controlling a cross into the area and the referee hesitantly pointed to the spot - Gray slotted the penalty right into the bottom left corner to put the result of the match beyond doubt, 2-0.
In injury time, Gray had a hand in United’s third as the ball was spread wide to him on the right wing and he weighted a pass into the middle to Watkins, who dribbled into the area, jinked around the ‘keeper and ran to within two yards of the goal-line before knocking it home. Final score: U’s 3, Horley 0.
F-t-L Facts:
- United have won their last 9 friendly matches.
- Of the 18 goals scored in last season’s pre-season games, only one was scored by a player who featured in today’s game – Matt Gray scored once in a 2-0 win against Eastbourne.
- Since last season’s friendlies began, the U’s have scored a penalty on average once in every 4.4 games (15 penalties scored in 66 games).
Team: Odlum (Wilson), Gray, Akuamoah (Congo), Nielsen (Akuamoah), Rahim, Gonsalves, Richardson, Honey (Nurse), Gauci (Green), Nurse (Cole-Bolt), David (Watkins).
Goals: Gauci (39), Gray (83 pen), Watkins (90).
Left, Dominic Gauci side-foots home the opening goal.
Right, Matt Gray strikes the penalty that makes it 2-0.
U's v Horsham (24/07/04)
United continued their pre-season campaign with a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Horsham. New signing Andrew Martin started upfront alongside Eddie Akuamoah, and Glenn Boosey was available to play in midfield after missing the game against Horley. Chris Nurse missed the match through injury.
The hosts started the better of the two sides, and twice went close to opening the scoring in the third minute. First, Carl Emberson in the United goal was forced into an acrobatic tip over the bar and then, from the resulting corner, Matt Gray cleared a crisply struck shot off the goal line.
But it was United who took the lead with eleven minutes gone. Boosey rolled the ball to Akuamoah, who was tripped by a careless defender right on the edge of the Horsham box. Martin dummied the free kick and Matt Gray curled it around the wall and into the far side of the goal, a couple of feet up the right post, 1-0.
In a fairly even half there were chances at both ends to add to the score. Emberson reacted well to push away a firm shot after a Horsham counter-attack but would have been thankful for the poor header that placed the ball wide at the back post shortly later.
Gray was instrumental in Sutton’s play, forcing a save from the ‘keeper after 20 minutes that rebounded to Martin but, with his back to goal, he could only hook his shot over the bar. Half an hour in, Gray played the ball to Boosey in space but his mazy run past two defenders ended with the goalie blocking his chipped effort.
With around five minutes of the half remaining, Paul Honey curled a low pass down the wing to Gray, who fired a cross through the box that just eluded Akuamoah in the middle. Lee Fieldwick collected the ball on the far side and found Boosey inside the area but he drilled his shot across the face of the goal and wide of the right post for a goal kick.
Horsham were rewarded for their contribution to the opening 45 minutes when they equalised shortly before the break. A looping centre from the right wing found Lee Carney unmarked and he slotted the ball into the bottom right corner, 1-1.
A quickly taken free kick within a minute of the goal could have seen Horsham go into the interval a goal ahead but the ball over the top of the U’s defence was headed well over the bar. Half-time: U’s 1, Horsham 1.
Once again, the United goalkeeper was the busiest early in the half, Phil Wilson, on for Emberson, diving to his left to block a one-on-one and then dropping low to his right to push away a sweetly struck drive.
The U’s brought on Ronnie Green and Craig Watkins for Martin and Boosey fifteen minutes in and Green was immediately involved, exchanging passes with Honey before shooting wide of the goal.
Watkins had a number of excellent opportunities to restore United’s lead. He left the defence for dead to race onto Honey’s lofted through-ball but could only shoot at the ‘keeper from a tight angle. Green then passed the ball beyond the Horsham defence to leave Watkins with only the goalie to beat but his low shot rebounded to safety off of the ‘keeper’s legs.
A minute later, with the match approaching the final ten minutes, Gray crafted an opening for Watkins with a neat flick past the defence but he struck the ball high into the right side-netting.
Horsham punished United for their wasteful shooting by stealing the win in the final three minutes. A cross from the right wing was worked to John Kirby and he had an eternity to bring the ball down, pick his spot and then slam the ball into the top left corner from ten yards out, 1-2.
Watkins could have earned an equaliser almost immediately but after chasing a long ball, he put his attempted lob into the ‘keeper’s grateful arms. Then, in injury time, Horsham put the result beyond doubt when a ball from the right wing was headed home by David Soutar, unmarked at the back post. Final score: U’s 1, Horsham 3.
F-t-L Facts:
- United have scored in their last fifteen games (last failed to score: Saturday 6 March, lost 0-3 at home to Maidenhead).
- The match against Maidenhead was also the last time Sutton conceded 3 goals in a game.
- Matt Gray has hit the back of the net in both of the U’s matches so far this season.
Team: Emberson (Wilson), Gray, Fieldwick, Nielsen (Gonsalves), Dunne, Noah, Richardson, Honey (Cole-Bolt), Martin (Green), Akuamoah, Boosey (Watkins).
Goal: Gray (11).
Left, Andrew Martin leaves the free kick for Matt Gray, who curls it home.
Right, Craig Watkins fires a shot at the 'keeper during the second half.
U's v Fulham XI (27/07/04)
United continued their build-up to the 2004/05 season with a game against a Fulham XI but lost 3-0, a scoreline that probably flattered the visitors slightly. Joff Vansittart made his first appearance for the club since rejoining and Chris Nurse, who missed the Horsham game through injury, was fit enough for a bench spot.
After a quiet start to the game, Fulham made their first attack count when Michael Timlin jumped unmarked just inside the area after eleven minutes and headed the left wing cross firmly into the top left corner past a helpless Phil Wilson, 1-0.
Wilson prevented the lead being extended to two only minutes later when he dived to his right to save a low, half-volley.
United’s best period of play in the first half could have seen an equaliser twice in two minutes. Lee Richardson did well to keep possession on the edge of the area and angled a through-ball beyond the defence out wide to Nigel Brake, who struck a cross to the middle of the box that was headed behind for a corner as Vansittart readied himself to head home. Matt Gray’s swirling corner dropped perfectly to Lewis Gonsalves around ten-yards out but he failed to connect with his header.
Sutton had Wilson to thank again for keeping them in the game after 27 minutes when a Fulham midfielder cut in from the right wing and hammered a shot across goal towards the far post, only for Wilson to dive full length to his right and palm the ball around the post.
The U’s ‘keeper could do nothing to prevent the second Fulham goal five minutes later, though, when some good work on the right flank ended with the ball being cut back from the touchline to Ishmael Ehui, who blasted the ball into the right side of the net, 2-0.
The possession was more even after the goal but Sutton lacked Fulham’s creative spark and could have gone into the break a further goal behind but Jesper Nielsen cleared the ball away from the goal-line after Wilson had been beaten with a one-on-one effort. Half-time: U’s 0, Fulham 2.
The introduction of Craig Watkins at the break gave United more pace upfront and he worked well in partnership with Andrew Martin, the two of them replacing Vansittart and Boosey with Nurse replacing Richardson.
Early in the half Martin crossed deep into the box for Watkins and he nodded the ball down to Gray who drilled his shot over the bar. After fifteen minutes, Watkins ran onto a through ball and charged down the ‘keeper’s clearance but a defender positioned himself between Watkins and the goal and cleared the shot away for a corner.
The game ended as a contest with twenty minutes remaining when Wilson came to the edge of his area and called for the ball to be played back to him. Ehui tackled a United defender, leaving Wilson well out of position, and curled the ball into the bottom left corner of the unguarded net from twenty-five yards, 0-3.
United kept battling and Gray headed a Ronnie Green free kick into the right side netting a couple of minutes after Fulham’s third.
The visitors could have added a fourth with twelve minutes left on the clock but a cross from the left was wasted when the Fulham striker went for a spectacular volley and completely missed the ball.
In the final ten minutes Sutton almost grabbed a consolation goal when Martin curled a free kick from twenty five yards around the wall and towards the top right corner but the Fulham ‘keeper dived well to his left to tip the ball away. Full-time: U’s 0, Fulham 3.
F-t-L Facts:
- Joff Vansittart made his first appearance for the U’s since the 1997/98 Ryman League Cup final, when he struck five times during Sutton’s victory.
- Scott Corbett came on for Matt Gray in the 77th minute, making a welcome return to the first team after a back injury in September ended his 2003/04 season.
- Current Form: WLL (Scored 4, Conceded 6).
Team: Wilson, Gray (Corbett), Brake, Nielsen, Dunne, Gonsalves, Richardson (Nurse), Honey (Cole-Bolt), Vansittart (Martin), Boosey (Watkins), Akuamoah (Green).
Left, Martin Dunne contests a high ball in the Fulham area.
Right, Eddie Akuamoah controls the ball on his chest as Joff Vansittart looks on.
U’s v Banstead (29/07/04)
With just over two weeks to the season opener against St. Albans, United played their third match since Saturday, taking on Banstead Athletic in a ‘practice game’. Scott Corbett continued his return from injury by starting in the back three and John Rains took the chance to give a game to another group of triallists, many of whose names remain a closely guarded secret.
Banstead started the game positively and almost caught Sutton asleep after two minutes when Corbett was dispossessed just inside the U’s half and the Banstead forward went for an outrageous lob that eventually drifted comfortably wide of the right post.
The U’s gradually began to edge forward and took the lead with their first shot on target after 12 minutes. Andrew Martin collected the ball on the right corner of the area and turned to hit a hard shot towards goal that deflected off a Banstead defender and flew in over the deceived ‘keeper’s head, 1-0.
Neither ‘keeper was tested that much for the remainder of the half. Lewis Gonsalves released Ronnie Green down the left wing with the game twenty minutes old and he skipped past a defender before placing an excellent low cross towards the front post that was cleared behind for a corner.
The U’s defence was stretched twice in the next ten minutes but the home side could not take advantage of either opening. Firstly, a good passing build-up lead to a shot straight at the United ‘keeper. Minutes later Gonsalves and Corbett were involved in a mix-up at the back and a Banstead forward was left with an easy finish from the penalty spot only to chip the ball tamely into the arms of the U’s goalie.
A Sutton triallist, wearing number 12, had two shots from distance that failed to test the ‘keeper as the half whimpered to a quiet conclusion with the score: U’s 1, Banstead 0.
The second half was a marked improvement on the first with United enjoying a lot more possession and spending more time inside the Banstead half, although chances were still limited.
After ten minutes, Matt Gray and Glenn Boosey crafted an opening for Chris Nurse but he fired the ball high and wide. In the very next attack Gray took a throw-in to Nurse and he juggled the ball over a defender before being knocked to the floor by a despairing lunge. Gray stepped up for penalty duty and carefully tucked it into the bottom left corner, 2-0 (59mins).
Boosey went close to finding a third for the U’s on two occasions before Kenny David, back for another game after playing the opening half against Horley, picked up the ball in the box after good work from Paul Honey and Gray, span towards goal and despatched a shot from ten yards across the ‘keeper and into the inside left netting, 3-0 (75mins).
Within five minutes United had extended the lead further. Joff Vansittart collected the ball just inside the Banstead area, turned between two defenders and was bundled over by the flummoxed centre back. Eager for a goal Vansittart dusted himself down to take the spot kick and thumped the ball straight down the middle, 4-0.
Gray almost ended the game in spectacular fashion when the U’s number 12 found him at the back post with a deep cross but Gray’s snorting volley was blocked by Jamie Ribolla in the Banstead goal. Full-time: U’s 4, Banstead 0.
F-t-L Facts:
- 3 of United’s pre-season goals have come from the penalty spot.
- Sutton have used four ‘keepers so far this season.
- Current Form: WLLW (Scored 8, Conceded 6).
Team Included: Wilson, Nielsen, Gray, Corbett, Gonsalves, Akuamoah, Honey, Green, Nurse, David, Martin, Vansittart. (Full line-up to follow if possible)
Goals: Martin (12), Gray (59 pen), David (75), Vansittart (79 pen).
Left, One of United's triallists jumps to head the ball clear.
Right, Matt Gray slots the ball (the blurry streak) into the bottom left corner from the penalty spot.
U’s v Dulwich Hamlet (05/08/04)
Sutton made use of twenty players against Dulwich as JR continued to finalise his squad ahead of next Saturday’s season opener against St. Albans. Andy Iga started in goal for his first appearance in the pre-season games. Also starting were midfielder Nigel Brake, signed from Crawley, centre-back Danny Oakins, formerly of AFC Wimbledon, and ex-professional Peter Fear.
Iga was immediately involved as Dulwich went close early on – a cross from the right was met with a diving-header and Iga dived to his left to push the ball away with a superb reactionary save.
Dulwich dominated the early proceedings, but it was United who took the lead after 15 minutes. Fear played the ball from the middle of the pitch wide to Matt Gray on the right wing. He brought it inside past his marker and fired a low, bobbling left-footed shot from 25 yards that the ‘keeper fumbled into the bottom right corner, 1-0.
Gray was involved again as United threatened the hosts’ goal twice within the next five minutes. Firstly, a Gray corner from the right was met with a powerful, downward header by Oakins but it bounced narrowly wide of the left post and then a dangerous cross was deflected away from Andrew Martin as he jumped to head goalwards.
The rest of the half passed without incident until five minutes before the break when a Dulwich free kick from the left was guided at goal with a firm header only to hit the right post and bounce across the goal line.
The close call at the back brought Sutton back to life and Gray and Fear immediately worked an opening for Martin whose curled effort from the edge of the box drew an excellent diving save out of the Dulwich ‘keeper.
On the stroke of half-time, Eddie Akuamoah found Martin in space inside the area but he drilled his shot straight at the goalie. Half-time: U’s 1, Dulwich 0.
Within a minute of the restart, Dulwich were given a great opportunity to level the score when a forward was clumsily bundled over in the area and the ref’ awarded a penalty. Phil Wilson, on at half-time for Iga, dived to his left as the spot kick sailed high and wide.
United went close on a number of occasions but could not extend the slim lead. Joff Vansittart had a back post header blocked by the ‘keeper, Paul Honey stretched for a cross but could only knock it wide of the left post, and Eddie Akuamoah span with the ball into the area but struck across the face of the goal.
When the U’s finally got another shot past the Dulwich ‘keeper after 75 minutes the woodwork came to the rescue – Vansittart jumped to flick a long ball onto David Kennedy, who lofted the ball over the stranded goalkeeper only for the ball to bounce up onto the bar and back out.
The home side improved their play in the last fifteen minutes and really began to test the United back line. Wilson twice had to block one on one chances when the defence were beaten and Scott Corbett made an important interception to knock the ball away for a corner.
As the game entered the lengthy stoppage time due to a serious-looking injury to a Dulwich forward, Wilson pulled off a sublime save by holding onto a shot from point-blank range after good work down the left wing.
Sutton could have put the game beyond doubt when Nigel Brake crossed from the left wing but with three U’s players running in at the back post Kennedy stretched for the cross and skewed it over when those behind him were better placed to hit the target.
Five minutes into injury time Dulwich got an equaliser when Wilson blocked a shot but the rebound fell kindly to a Dulwich forward who slotted it beneath Wilson and into the back of the net. Full-time: U’s 1, Dulwich 1.
F-t-L Facts:
- Matt Gray has scored four times in the last five games. No other player has scored more than once.
- Current Form: WLLWD (Scored 9, Against 7).
- United’s next opponents are Leatherhead. Sutton won 3-2 in the last meeting of the two sides during 2003/04’s friendlies.
Team: Iga (Wilson), Gray (Jeffries), Brake, Oakins (Dunne), Wilson (Gonsalves), Conroy (Corbett), Fear (Booth), Honey (Apaka), Vansittart, Akuamoah (Boosey), Martin (Kennedy).
Goal: Gray (15).
Left, Danny Oakins plants his header just wide of the left Dulwich post.
Right, Andrew Martin controls on his chest whilst under pressure from the Dulwich number 3.
U’s v Leatherhead (07/08/04)
A blistering afternoon welcomed the over-heating U’s supporters, who mostly sought shade where ever it could be found.
The match jumped almost instantly into life as Joff Vansittart found himself just outside of the Leatherhead box minutes in, only to curl his shot slightly high and wide.
The pace then settled and both teams started to try and force the errors under the glare of the sun. The Tanner’s were almost gifted an opener as Peter Fear sent a looping back pass towards Andy Iga, who was fortunately adjudged to have been fouled by a Leatherhead striker as they both went for the ball.
Minutes later Nigel Brake took a quick throw, level with the edge of the Leatherhead box, to Eddie Akuamoah who laid it back for Brake to cross. A low, skimming cross into the six yard box was cleverly dummied at the near post by Andrew Martin leaving Vansittart with the simplest of finishes past a despairing dive from former U’s ‘keeper Tommy Dunn, 1-0 (12 mins).
Twenty five minutes in the Tanner’s thought they had a penalty as Andy Iga was alleged to have brought down a Leatherhead striker. However, the near sighted ref had missed that his assistant had his flag up for offside well before the incident occurred (although the lino did put his flag down when the penalty was given, only then to beckon the ref over and inform him of the previous infraction).
The remainder of the half went without notable incident bar a couple of excellent saves form each ‘keeper. Tommy Dunn saving low at the feet of Matt Gray and, deep into first half injury time, Iga narrowed the angle well and forced the opposition striker to shoot high and wide. Half time: U’s 1, Leatherhead 0.
The second half saw the introductions of Phil Wilson, Glen Boosey and Lee Doherty for Iga, Brake and Danny Oakins. Straight from the off Leatherhead almost equalised as a cross from the right was narrowly headed over the bar.
The U’s then forged a good chance, as Matt Gray managed to whip in a cross from the right. Vansittart hit it first time, but it went straight at Dunn, who grabbed it gratefully at the second attempt.
The U’s made another substitution which had an immediate effect when Ernest Simon came on for Paul Honey and instantly picked the ball up deep in the Yellow’s half. He took a few good touches before playing an inch perfect pass to Fear, who was just inside the Leatherhead half. Fear looked up and played a slide rule pass into the path of Martin who connected with the ball, just inside of the opposition’s box, and sent it screaming into the top of the net past an advancing Dunn, 2-0 (53 mins).
After Martin was replaced by David Kennedy, Sutton were forced to weather the storm as Leatherhead looked for a way back into the game. Wilson again came to the aid of the U’s making a good save at the feet of a Leatherhead striker. Kennedy then tested Dunn, but his first time shot was flicked away by the ‘keeper’s boot.
With fifteen minutes to go the seal on United’s goal was finally broken as Vitor Tavares cut into the left hand side of Sutton’s box and curled a superb shot into the top right hand corner of Wilson’s goal, 2-1.
In the last five minutes United began to hang onto the victory and definitely owe Wilson a pint or two as he made three crucial saves to deny the Tanner’s a possibly deserved draw. Full Time: U’s 2, Leatherhead 1.
F-t-L Facts:
- United have scored in all of the away friendlies so far.
- The Leatherhead set-up today included five former U’s: Paul Harford (manager), Dave Harlow (player/assistant manager), Dante Alighieri, Damien Panter and Tommy Dunn.
- Current Form: WLLWDW (Scored 11, Against 8)
Team: Iga (Wilson 45), Gray, Brake (Boosey 45), Oakins (Doherty 45), Gonsalves (Doherty from 25 to 40), Booth, Fear, Honey (Simon 51), Vansittart (Martin 78), Martin (Kennedy 58), Akuamoah.
Goals: Vansittart (12), Martin (53).
Left, Joff Vansittart slots home the opening goal.
Right, David Kennedy watches his shot rebound away from Tommy Dunn's save.
U’s v Walton & Hersham (10/08/04)
Walton snatched a last minute draw against Sutton but it was the least they deserved after giving the U’s a difficult game to finish off the pre-season campaign.
It was a rear guard effort at the start for United to prevent the hosts taking the lead. A sweeping counter-attack after only ten minutes should have finished with the opening goal but the Walton forward skewed his shot high and wide of the right post. Two minutes later Lewis Gonsalves pulled off an excellent last ditch tackle and, from the resulting corner, Andy Iga held the headed effort.
After 18 minutes Walton took the lead courtesy of a brilliant strike from Sam Keevill. The midfielder, who had a brief spell at United, beat Eddie Akuamoah and then lashed a shot from twenty-five yards into the top right corner, 0-1.
Sutton fought back so that possession was equal but struggled to create any goalscoring chances. Joff Vansittart headed against the post with a backwards flick but the offside flag had already gone up. Slightly later, Vansittart played in Andrew Martin but he failed to connect properly with his shot and the ‘keeper saved comfortably.
Iga blocked a blasted effort from just inside the area with half an hour gone to keep the score close and United almost equalised before the break when a foul on Peter Fear on the edge of the Walton box allowed Matt Gray to drill the free kick low through the wall only for the ‘keeper to dive to his right to palm the ball away. Half-time: U’s 0, Walton & Hersham 1.
Within seconds of the restart, Walton almost doubled their lead when their striker was first to a chipped ball over the top of the U’s defence and he slid it past Phil Wilson, on at the interval, only for it to rebound off the bottom of the left post.
Vansittart and Martin combined well five minutes later to retain possession and it broke nicely for Vansittart on the right corner of the box but his powerful shot across goal was well-held by the ‘keeper.
Just as it was beginning to look like Sutton would not find a goal John Rains introduced David Kennedy for Martin in the 70th minute and with his first touch he converted Nigel Brake’s hooked cross from the left with a half-volley, 1-1.
Three minutes later Kennedy notched his and United’s second of the game when Glenn Boosey swung in a left-footed cross from the left wing, Vansittart knocked it down to the penalty spot and Kennedy ran in and struck it sweetly into the back of the net, 2-1.
As the game limped towards a quiet conclusion, Walton grabbed a leveller with a minute to go a shot across the goal from the right was slid home in the middle. Final score: U’s 2, Walton & Hersham 2.
F-t-L Facts:
- David Kennedy became the first player to score more than one goal in a game for the U’s this season when he found the net twice in 3 minutes.
- Current Form: LLWDWD (Scored 10, Conceded 10)
- Next Up: Home to St. Albans City - Last Season 4-2 (own goal, Bailey, J Nurse 2).
Team: Iga (Wilson), Gray, Brake (Boosey), Corbett, Booth, Gonsalves, Fear (Dunne), Honey, Vansittart, Martin (Kennedy), Akuamoah.
Goals: Kennedy (71, 74).
Left, Nigel Brake plays a ball down the left wing.
Right, Joff Vansittart tries to flick the ball towards Peter Fear.
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