Sutton Head South On Trophy Trail

Sutton travel to the Sussex coast this Saturday to take on Ryman League side Worthing in the second round of the FA Trophy.

Media attention may have been on Sutton's FA Cup run, but the FA Trophy offers a much more realistic prospect of a Wembley appearance. However, this fixture looks an awkward test for Sutton. Worthing may be two steps lower in the non-League pyramid, currently sitting seventh in the Ryman Premier Division table, but they haven't lost a game since November and have won eight of their last nine matches, culminating in a 5-0 home thrashing of Canvey Island on Tuesday evening. In the last round of the Trophy, while Sutton were beating Bath City 1-0, the Rebels were winning 2-1 at National League side Dagenham & Redbridge.

Sutton manager Paul Doswell may not field his first choice XI in this game, as he has four players one booking away from a two-match suspension that would rule them out of next Tuesday's FA Cup replay at AFC Wimbledon. The four in question, captain Jamie Collins, fellow defender Simon Downer and midfielders Craig Eastmond and Nicky Bailey, were all rested for Tuesday's defeat at Braintree Town and might not be risked on Saturday either.

If left back Ben Jefford remains injured then Dan Spence is likely to retain his place in that position. Fans' favourite Craig Dundas could enjoy another rare start in midfield.

Worthing and Sutton were both strong Isthmian League sides in the mid-1980s, and their last encounter was in that league in the 1995/96 season. Like Sutton, Worthing have installed a 3G pitch at their ground which means that this game is unlikely to fall victim to the weather. In the event of the match being drawn, Sutton's FA Cup replay would take precedence next week and so the replay of this tie at Sutton would most likely be on Tuesday 24 January

#SuttonUnited #Worthing