Lethal Dover Smash Sorry Sutton For Six
- Johnnie Lowery
- Nov 30, 2016
- 3 min read
It was a nightmare evening for a much changed Sutton United, with promotion chasing Dover hitting six at Gander Green Lane to give Sutton their heaviest home defeat since January 2005.
Right from the off Dover looked to take control and it wasn’t long until they took the lead, Ricky Miller heading in a deep cross in the 7th minute. The Whites had actually had a goal disallowed before this early goal as well. There were chances for United in the spell following Dover’s goal, with a goalmouth scramble following a corner somehow staying out, courtesy of some last ditch defending and excellent goalkeeping from Steve Arnold in the Dover net. As on Saturday in the Aldershot game a refereeing decision became a major talking point, as Beckwith was sent off for what appeared to be a fairly innocuous looking aerial challenge – a deliberate elbow was what referee John Busby saw and Beckwith was given his marching orders in the 23rd minute. Still Sutton continued to look for a goal and Dundas saw a close range volley tipped round the post by Arnold just minutes after the sending off.
However the killer blow was dealt in the 32nd minute as former Bromley man Moses Emmanuel was first to Lafayette’s flick, allowing him to get away from the U’s defence and slot home. Four minutes later it was 3-0 as the ball was only half cleared and Lafayette picked up the pieces to ensure all three of Dover’s notorious strike force were on the scoresheet already. Arnold was called into action again before the break to make a smart double save from Dundas and new loan signing Herson Alves. However it was 4-0 before half time as statuesque defending allowed Emmanuel an easy finish at the near post.
Doswell made a couple of changes at half time to limit the damage, with Amankwaah replacing Dickson and Eastmond replacing Alves. With a bit more shape in the side United did improve a little but were still outclassed by the visitors and it wasn’t long until a fifth was added to the scoreline. A long ball forward saw indecision between Amankwaah and Worner, and Sutton’s keeper was left stranded as Emmanuel got to the ball first and slotted the ball home to complete his hattrick. Dover weren’t happy to declare there and a good save from Ross Worner to deny Emmanuel kept the scoreline at 5-0. This didn’t last long though and in the 70th minute a fantastic run from Miller, who is out of contract at the end of the season, gave him the opportunity to cut inside and score his side’s sixth and his second from close range. There was to be no further scoring and indeed United could have got a consolation late on when Deacon got through on goal but saw his effort saved by the impressive Arnold.
Tickets for the Cheltenham FA Cup 2nd round game can be bought in advance and went on sale on Monday 21st November. There will be three ways in which you can purchase tickets for the game:-
in person at the club over the phone (0208 644 4440) with credit/debit card by post with Stamped Addressed Envelope if sent in by Sat 26th Nov. (cheques payable to Sutton United FC) – later applications will have to be collected on matchday.
Tickets will be available to buy in person at the club at the following times:
Wed 30th,Thu 1st, Fri 2nd - 10am to 12 noon (office), 7pm to 9pm (Members' Bar)
Tickets will be on sale on matchday but it is anticipated that stand tickets will sell out in advance.
Crowd segregation will be in force, with Cheltenham supporters at the Collingwood Road end, so home fans must use the Gander Green Lane turnstiles. We know the Robins expect to be well supported and they have taken their full allocation of tickets.