Sutton United Battle Back To Claim Point At Dagenham

Despite looking out of the game at half time, Sutton United fought back brilliantly to claim a point and could have even won the game.

It was a slow start to the first half but after about 10 minutes or so Dagenham began to take control, putting United’s goal under pressure. Corey Whitely had the first big opportunity after Nicky Bailey’s defensive header fell straight to him, but the Daggers man was unlucky to see his effort bounce off the inside of the post and away. It was through a set piece that the East London side went ahead, taking advantage of some sloppy defending. A deep free kick was allowed to bounce in the box with Maguire-Drew able to nod the ball across to Luke Guttridge, who couldn’t miss. Whitely’s luck was out as 7 minutes later he found the same post again, this time the ball bouncing away to safety. The home side weren’t to be denied though and in the 38th minute Maguire-Drew burst pass Ben Jefford, eventually substituted at half time struggling with a virus, and hammered home from a tight angle to put his side in a convincing position.

Two substitutions at half time, with Louis John and Craig Dundas coming on, changed the shape of the game and within 10 minutes of the second half it was 2-2. Before the first of those goals though Dagenham had a golden chance to make the game safe, but an excellent Will Puddy save denied Staunton. Quickly launching the ball upfield Sutton were able to counter and Maxime Biamou did well to avoid defensive attention, getting slightly fortunate with his finish that hit a divot in the ground and bobbled over Justham in the Daggers goal. There was nothing fortunate about his second goal two minutes later though, a bullet header from a corner sending the 148 visiting supporters into raptures. There were several chances for either side to nick a winner, a Maxime Biamou flick the closest United came with the home side’s best chance arguably when Whitely saw a penalty appeal turned down. Otherwise it was set pieces that were the threat for Dagenham though U’s dealt with them well on the whole. Indeed Paul Doswell’s men could have nicked it at the end when Deacon’s effort fired just wide of the far post, with Justham beaten.

Paul Doswell, speaking to SUFCtv after the game, was in a good mood looking forward to next season:

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