Report: Sutton United 1-0 Magpies

Maidenhead United succumbed to a 1-0 defeat away to Sutton as Finlay Barbrook’s first half strike was the difference between the two sides. 

 

The Magpies got the game underway, but Sutton would have much of the ball for the first half-hour. Will de Havilland and Kevin Lokko worked well to stop a flurry of counterattacks, one of which led to Ashley Nadesan coming down in the box but no penalty was given. 

 

Sutton’s objective was to channel the ball down the flanks, often finding Will Davies in the box. A delivery from a free kick was awkwardly half-volleyed past the far post by the Sutton striker, as was his effort a minute later from a cross. 

 

With the Magpies having worked out the Sutton threat down the right, the hosts switched to the left. Jeremy Sivi beat his man on more than one occasion to fire crosses over the bar or into the safe hands of Craig Ross. Third time was the charm, however, as Sivi found Finlay Barbrook in the box who fired home an opener in the 30th minute. 

 

It could have nearly been two for the hosts as Barbrook looked to score a repeat of his first. With Ross slightly out of position, Miles Welch-Hayes got a foot to his low shot to prevent a second. 

 

This turn of events spurred the Magpies to press for an equaliser. United won the ball back around 25 yards out, and Tristan Abrahams found space in a shooting position. He could only watch, however, as his curled effort went just the wrong side of the uprights. 

 

Maidenhead themselves would have a penalty appeal turned away when Thierry Latty-Fairweather was brought down as the half drew to a close. 

 

 

A somewhat rejuvenated United came back out for the second half and threatened the Sutton defence. Reece Smith was able to get into a crossing position, and his delivery was desperate for a touch which never came-to-be. Latty-Fairweather would again be brought down in the box, although no foul was given akin to the first half. 

 

Fresh legs were brought on in time for a corner caused by a deflection from a Lokko shot. The resulting set piece was aimed towards the returning Remy Clerima, but it was cleared easily enough by the former League Two opposition. 

 

The hosts were nervy, but Jack Sims was largely unchallenged throughout the match. United’s counterattacks were dealt with before any real danger came to the Sutton ‘keeper, and the few shots Sutton were unable to prevent went well wide of the posts. United were arguably denied a penalty when a Sutton defender handled the ball on the ground, but referee Alan Dale ruled that he had been brought down unfairly. 

 

Despite unease among the home supporters, the reality was that there was little to write home about until the 90th minute. Sims fumbled a long throw-in from the right, but the Magpies were unable to get a crucial toe poke to it before he recovered. It would be a goalless second half, one which would ensure all three points stayed in Sutton. 

 

 

Sutton: Jack Sims, Tyler French, Siju Odelusi, Josh Coley (Nana Boateng, 90+3’), Will Davies, Finlay Barbrook, Charlie Waller, Jeremy Sivi (Hayden Muller, 84’), Ashley Nadesan, Alex Kirk 

 

Magpies: Craig Ross, Will de Havilland, Kevin Lokko, Thierry Latty-Fairweather, Shawn McCoulsky, Kane Ferdinand, Casey Pettit, Reece Smith, Owen Cochrane (Remy Clerima, 74’), Miles Welch-Hayes (Joseph Ajose, 83’), Tristan Abrahams 

 

Attendance: 2,905 (113)