Sutton's Away Day Woes Continue in Ferriby
- Johnnie Lowery
- Nov 20, 2016
- 3 min read
Sutton’s away day woes continued at North Ferriby on Saturday, the hosts able to claim their first win in the league since the 13th September.
It didn’t take Ferriby long to get going and they threatened early on when Ben Middleton was allowed a free header from a set piece. Fortunately for Sutton it was a poor header and the score remained briefly goalless. However just minutes later United were properly punished by a dead ball, Sam Topliss looping a header over the stranded Worner. Whilst the defending was poor the U’s might feel hard done by as Deacon appeared to be fouled, rather than the other way round, in the awarding of the free kick.
With their confidence boosted North Ferriby came at Sutton again and really ought to have gone 2-0 up, but Kyle Wootton fired wide when through on goal. Doswell’s men had the odd attack in the first half, the best chance falling to Dean Beckwith, but his goal bound effort was blocked by the home side’s defence.
The start to the second half was nothing short of a disaster with North Ferriby extending their lead less than a minute in. The ball was hoofed forward from kickoff and Jamie Collins, attempting to shield the ball out, lost it to Thompson who duly finished. The U’s nearly pulled a goal back straight away when Jefford put a beautiful cross in for Biamou, but his header was well saved by Ferriby keeper Watson. However it was Ferriby who looked the most likely to score again and only a fortunate slip by Thompson and a good save from Worner to deny Wootton kept Sutton in the game.
Paul Doswell was clearly not a happy man and just before the hour mark made a triple substitution, with Dundas, McAllister, and Dickson tasked with improving the U’s fortunes. To their credit all 3 looked good, and for the first time in the game Ferriby looked second best. Amankwaah’s header back across goal that wasn’t met by anyone in a yellow shirt represented a particularly good chance. However just minutes later there was a moment of real controversy that didn’t reflect well on referee Andrew Miller. Deacon was fouled on the edge of the box with Eastmond smashing the loose ball into the back of the net – but the goal was disallowed as the referee had already blown his whistle with no advantage played. The resulting free kick was curled just wide of the goal.
Spurred on by this injustice Sutton did get one back, Dickson breaking and slotting in Biamou who slotted the ball underneath Watson in the North Ferriby goal. There were plenty of opportunities to get an equaliser as well – Collins had a shot well saved with the keeper, with Dickson hitting the post from range and then missing a glorious opportunity right at the end of the game. Alas it wasn’t to be and the U’s will now look to put things right at Boreham Wood on Tuesday night.
Manager Paul Doswell gave his thoughts after the game:
“The first hour was an absolute shambles, and then we had to chase the game for half an hour”
“If there is a positive it's that we could have folded at that point (the second Ferriby goal) and not given it a go, but we didn't do that, we scored a very good goal, and had so many chances around their goal in the closing stages that didn't quite fall to us”
“Although Chris Dickson missed that late chance I thought he made a huge difference when he came on and showed the sort of bursts that we've been hoping to see from him. Craig McAllister did well as well, and they've both put themselves in contention for Tuesday's game at Boreham Wood”
“We'll be hoping to turn round the away form on Tuesday, as if we don't start winning our away games it's going to put pressure on us to keep winning at home.”