Deacon Delights Sutton Crowd As Lincoln Denied
- Johnnie Lowery
- Mar 29, 2017
- 2 min read
A stunning late goal from Roarie Deacon ensured Sutton secured a deserved point against the league leaders, having fallen behind with only 10 minutes to go.
The first half was probably just about shaded by United, despite an early scare when Will Puddy kicked straight into Lee Angol. Fortunately the ball rebounded wide of the goal, rather than towards it. Adam Coombes came close to his first Sutton goal after Biamou’s flick on, but Lincoln keeper Paul Farman was alert to come off his line and punch away just before the striker could get there. Coombes was involved again 5 minutes later, bursting into the box and going down under a Luke Waterfall challenge. The referee, however, was not interested in his appeals. After this early flurry of activity the rest of the first half was relatively quiet, neither side creating any presentable opportunities. Just before the break there was a chance for Bedsente Gomis from a corner, with his header being deflected over for another corner, which came to nothing. Up the other end Matt Rhead saw a powerful effort blocked before it could trouble Puddy.
Lincoln came out the stronger of the two sides in the second half, and were immediately a threat as a Raggett header was deflected onto the crossbar. A freekick in a good position was put embarrassingly high by the visitors, but just a few minutes later they nearly took the lead as Puddy made an excellent save to deny Rhead at the far post, his volley from close range tipped away with the rebound headed over the bar. It was through a set piece that City did eventually take the lead, Elliott Whitehouse climbing highest to head home from a Habergham delivery. It looked like Lincoln would be returning north with 3 vital points as they expertly ran the game down, denying Sutton any real opportunities. However deep into stoppage time a long kick from Puddy was cleared only as far as Deacon, who crashed a powerful effort home from the edge of the box, sparking wild celebrations in the Gander Green Lane End as Paul Doswell’s men move a point closer to safety.
Micky Stephens gave his thoughts to SUFCtv after the game:
“I don’t think it was a snatched point at all, I think it would have been harsh if we’d left here without anything tonight”
“It was fine lines; I don’t think there was much between the two teams over the whole night”
“They’re obviously a very physical side, they’ve got a set way of playing, and yet you have to admire them because it’s almost taking them at the moment to winning the league”
“I thought we stood up to pretty much everything they threw at us tonight, and gave a lot back against them in return”