U's Through to 2nd Round in 9 Goal Thriller
- Johnnie Lowery
- Nov 6, 2016
- 3 min read
Sutton advanced through to the 2nd round of the FA Cup after coming out on top in a 9 goal thriller at Dartford. It was a pulsating game from start to finish and all of the 1689 spectators in the ground certainly got their monies worth.
It didn’t take long for the U’s to take the lead, a beautifully worked move down the right flank allowed Deacon in behind the Dartford back four, and his ball across the box was met by Biamou who’s scuffed finish seemed to crawl across the line in slow motion before sending the travelling supporters wild.
However Sutton switched off after this goal and a defensive mix up allowed the Darts an equalising goal just 4 minutes later. Goalkeeper Worner came for a long ball forward but it was Jamie Collins who eventually met that ball, directing it into the path of Elliot Bradbrook who finished from a good 30 yards out into the now empty net. Dartford continued to press and should have taken the lead when Harris hooked across goal when a shot would have been more appropriate.
In the 15th minute however United took the lead again, an Amankwaah long throw wasn’t dealt with and the ball fell to Roarie Deacon, outstanding all afternoon, who cracked a powerful effort into the bottom left corner of Gibraltar international Deren Ibrahim’s net. Just over a minute later though referee Samuel Allison awarded the hosts a rather harsh penalty for handball against Craig Eastmond, and Bradbrook made no mistake from the spot to once again level the scoreline.
The madness continued as Sutton took the lead for the third time of the afternoon in just the 23rd minute, interplay for Deacon and Amankwaah once again allowing Deacon to cross for Biamou, who crashed his effort past Ibrahim from just inside the box.
With 5 goals inside the first 25 minutes the tone for the game was set and more could have followed before half time if it wasn’t for excellent goalkeeping from Ross Worner and a few near misses flying just wide or over of Dartford’s goal.
The second half continued in the same manner as the first, with Biamou missing a good opportunity before Dartford broke and made it 3-3, Ofori-Acheampong smashing home after Wanadio’s header hit the post in the 51st minute. As was becoming a bit of a theme by this point Sutton didn’t hang about and went ahead yet again just 7 minutes later after Ibrahim fumbled the ball to Stearn, who gratefully accepted the gift and hammered home from 6 yards.
Dartford nearly levelled once more when Bradbrook’s ambitious attempt at an overhead kick was held by Worner but United made the game safe when Deacon ran on to a Fitchett pass to hammer home a 5th in the 71st minute. If truth be told every time Deacon came forward the Dartford full backs had no answer – a masterful display from the winger.
Dartford finally crumbled and chances continued to fall for Sutton, with Burge denied well by Ibrahim at his near post before Stearn completed the scoring with a beautiful curling effort from the edge of the box after good work by Dickson.
Manager Paul Doswell was understandably delighted after the game: “It was a great advert for non-league football, both sides played their part in what ended up a 9 goal thriller” “There’s other games where we could have won by 4 or 5 away from home but today we were clinical in all areas, I don’t remember their keeper making many saves so most of what we did today went in the back of the net – that was very pleasing”
“We’ve had a week away from worrying about the league; it’s brilliant to listen to the draw on Monday. You hope for a home tie against anyone but a home tie against a league club would be great for us”