Two Wins For U's To End Pre Season

Both of Sutton’s final two pre-season games, played on consecutive days, saw a comeback from a goal down to win the game.

Friday night saw the visit of a young Norwich XI, with the Sutton side put out also somewhat experimental, with three academy players featured in the starting team. The visitors started brightly and had already forced two good saves out of U’s keeper Hafed Al-Droubi when Diallang Jayesiemi fired the Canaries in front 12 minutes in. After another 12 minutes it was 1-1, the impressive Tommy Wright outpacing both defender and goalkeeper to reach a Craig Dundas flick on, the young striker keeping his cool and lifting the ball over the goalkeeper to equalise. Sticking to the 12 minute intervals Sutton took the lead on 36 minutes, with new signing Josh Taylor heading home after good work from Monakana on the wing. The second half continued to be end to end, Tommy Wright coming closest for United whilst Al-Droubi was called into action again, denying both Jaiyesiemi and Middleton. One good opportunity for Sutton saw the visitors break and Fonkeu really ought to have scored when presented with a one-on-one opportunity, but he dragged his shot wide. There was an equaliser to come though, Todd Cantwell cleverly hitting his freekick from the edge of the box along the ground and under the wall, with Al-Droubi unsighted and unable to keep it out. There was a further late twist however, Dundas volleying home Jack Jebb’s freekick with a minute to go to secure the win for Sutton, 3-2 the score.

Defeated National League South playoff finalists Chelmsford City were the visitors on Saturday, with a much-changed Sutton side perhaps similar to the one expected to start against Leyton Orient put out. It was a dull start to the game and the first real action of any note was Chelmsford City’s goal to take the lead, Michael West scoring with a bicycle kick after a freekick was only half cleared 19 minutes in. United struggled to create opportunities, Cadogan coming closest when firing over from the edge of the box after a neat dummy allowing a Davis through ball to reach him. Minutes before half time an intricate passing move gave Dundas a great opportunity but a good save from the keeper denied him, the corner coming to nothing. The second half performance was a vast improvement from Paul Doswell’s men, and two goals in two minutes turned the game on its head. On the hour mark Cadogan got onto a Dundas flick on to curl his effort into the top corner, and just a minute later Cadogan had another, heading home after a finish Aswad Thomas cross from the left wing. The rest of the game rather petered out, Dundas coming closest to adding another after just over running the ball, whilst Butler had a decent save to make 5 minutes from time to ensure victory for Sutton

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