Hampton & Richmond 0 Sutton Utd 2
Written by Rob Overfield Hits: 895
Sutton's two first half goals settled the game in which they were clearly the fitter, and more determined to succeed.
The game had barely got going when Nick McKoy opened the scoring for the U's after just 10 mins, placing the ball accurately past Craig Ross from the centre of the box. Sutton were dominating proceedings and left the Beavers behind, their only chance on 28 minutes when Karle Carder put his shot wide. On 35 minutes the visitors doubled the lead through former Beaver Kezie Ibe, who took up a through ball and like McKoy, he put the ball out of Ross's reach and into the corner of the net.
After half time, the mass of substitutions enabled the Beavers to create a few chances; Paul Johnson 54th minute half volley went close, then 10 minutes later Charlie Moone couldn't convert Karle Carder's through pass, the defense blocking the attempt.
Sutton were never in danger from the Beavers, but as the younger players came on, they brought energy and a measure of defiance, Jordan Esprit's shot with just 5 minutes left rolling past the post.
Of concern to Mark Harper must be the mass of yellow cards shown to the Beavers during the game, apparently mainly for dissent as the game wore on. But the sight of Joel Ledgister playing well into the second half would have pleased everyone concerned with the club after his broken kneecap earlier in the spring.
HRBFC 0
Sutton Utd 2
McKoy 10
Ibe 35
Att: 247
Ross, Webb, Jenkins (C), Bray, Inman, Hickey, Turner, Carder, Ledgister, Holloway, Bates.
Subs: Moone, Johnson, Huggins, Mbonkwi, Ferrell, Powell, Esprit