Famous Victory For Sutton In The FA Cup
- Johnnie Lowery
- Jan 18, 2017
- 3 min read
Sutton United’s players wrote their names in history on Tuesday night after a famous win away to local rivals AFC Wimbledon, booking a place in the FA Cup 4th round in the process.
It was a nightmare start for the U’s though, as after close misses through Eastmond and Tubbs it was the home side who took the lead. A freekick from around the halfway line, whipped in by Dean Parrett, was headed in by the imposing figure of Tom Elliott. Just five minutes later the game would take a massive twist as Tubbs capitalised on a slip by Dons central defender Paul Robinson, before being hauled back by the man who had made the mistake. The referee had no hesitation in showing the red card, and though Deacon put the freekick over the bar the task looked slightly less arduous for Sutton. Despite this boost United struggled to create chances, Ardley’s move to bring on an extra central defender seeming an effective one. Jamie Collins tested Shea with a freekick but it lacked conviction and the Wombles keeper had no trouble making the save.
The second half was just ten seconds old before the first good chance occurred, Biamou seeing his effort well saved before Gomis somehow put the rebound wide with the goal gaping. There was controversy soon after with a strong Eastmond challenge on Lyle Taylor going unpunished – realistically though it was a fair challenge and the referee was right not to punish the midfielder. It was the substitutions made by Paul Doswell that swung the game in Sutton’s favour, coupled with a bit of Roarie Deacon magic. After an Amankwaah cross was half cleared the ball fell to Deacon, who executed a wicked turn away from the defender’s attentions on the edge of the box before smashing the ball home. Inspired by this the U’s began to look for the winner, though chances were few and far between. However just as the game entered stoppage time a beautiful passing move put Deacon through, and the once again excellent winger squared the ball for Max Biamou to tap home. Checking he was onside before wheeling off into celebration, the Frenchman sent the 809 travelling fans absolutely wild. The remaining five minutes of stoppage time were nervous but a long range effort over the bar was the best the League One side could manage, and from the resulting goal kick Biamou flicked on for Fitchett, who hit an exquisite lob over Shea and into the back of the net, ensuring Sutton supporters, players, and management alike had a night they would never forget.
Manager Paul Doswell, speaking to SUFCtv after the game, was almost in a state of delighted shock:
“Best evening football-wise in my career no doubt. I loved sharing it with my family in the stand”
“Then you go to my family on the pitch, who I thought were magnificent tonight, then you go to the other family – the 1000 or so we had – the Sutton family who sung their hearts out for us, kept with us, kept believing the same as we did”
“We knew we had to be patient, though that patience was tested for me when they had the player sent off because you always think ‘shall we go for it quicker?’”
On the Leeds United game in the next round:
“In the manager’s room there’s poster which I always look at, and it says ‘Sutton United vs Leeds’ in 1970”
“I did allow myself a little dream last night that we would be able to one day in 30 or 40 years time have our poster in that manager’s room”
“What an achievement on that basis to think that someone else will have our poster up – people have got to start talking about this team now”