Sutton Look To Sign Off Season In Style
- Mark Bravery
- Apr 28, 2017
- 2 min read
Sutton United go into their final game of the season, away at Macclesfield Town this Saturday, knowing that a win would almost certainly deliver a finishing position in the top half of the National League table.
Sutton currently stand 12th in the 24-team division, level with Wrexham on 57 points, but above the Welsh club thanks to a goal difference that is better by twelve. Three points in Cheshire on Saturday could see Sutton finish as high as 10th, and even a draw might be enough to secure 11th or 12th place.
However, Sutton have won only twice away in the league all season. Their opponents are three places and ten points higher, but have a mixed record at home, winning nine and losing eleven of their 22 league games at their Moss Rose ground.
Sutton will travel with some confidence after two wins, two draws and twelve goals in their last four matches. Macclesfield have lost three of their last four, though on Tuesday managed a creditable 2-2 draw at 6th-placed Dover.
The last match played between these two clubs at Moss Rose was in the Conference back in February 1991, Macclesfield winning 4-2, with the Sutton goals coming from Stuart Massey and Paul McKinnon (a penalty). When the sides met at Gander Green Lane in August of this season Sutton won 2-0 through goals from Ross Stearn and Bedsente Gomis, a result that lifted Sutton to third in the table, their highest ever position in the football pyramid. Visiting defender Andy Halls was sent off in that game.
For this encounter Sutton fans will hope that Roarie Deacon, Supporters' Club and players' Player of the Year, will have recovered from the ankle injury that he suffered at Dagenham on Easter Monday and which kept him out of last Saturday's 5-2 win over Chester. Jeffrey Monakana, who performed well on the right wing in Deacon's absence, should be available. Adam Coombes, who scored his first two Sutton goals against Chester, will be looking to add to his tally.
This will probably be the final Sutton appearance for goalkeeper Will Puddy before a return to his parent club Bristol Rovers, as regular keeper Ross Worner is expected to have returned from injury in time for next season.
The home squad is likely to include former Carshalton Athletic keeper Craig Ross who played in last August's game.
The game kicks off at 12.15 pm (along with all other National League fixtures) and will be free to home and away supporters as Macclesfield celebrate reaching the final of the FA Trophy in which they will meet York City at Wembley on 21 May.
Whatever the result on Saturday, Sutton can look back on a very satisfactory first season back in the top flight of non-League football, with a mid-table finish now assured.