Wednesday night saw a playoff Semi-final tie away to Bromsgrove Sporting in what can only be described as an unusual position to be in with promotion not possible whether victory was achieved or not.
This was however not to effect the build up to the game with positive previews and interviews stating the intent to compete as if promotion was possible for Sutton.
This was shown in the starting line-up for the game with Toothy naming his strongest 16 man squad with Toothy only making one change from the previous outing – Alex Curtis came in for Ryan Nesbitt who was on the bench.
The game began with a high tempo from the outset with both teams getting plenty of the ball and looking to release the front men, with both sides equally defending and attack.
It was Sutton who nearly opened the scoring on the 7th minute when confusion on the edge of Bromsgrove penalty area led to Alex Moore having a shot just go wide of the post.
The opening 10 minutes were already hinting at a very competitive match.
In the 11th minute some good play from Bromsgrove sees Cowley break through towards the penalty area, though a foul is given and the free kick is in a dangerous position. However the wall does its job and the free kick doesn’t make it past to trouble Gwilliams.
The games high tempo is giving neither team much time on the ball and chances are very few and far between, with a handful of corners and long throws from Mitch Clarke being the best of Suttons opening pressure. But no sooner as we attack so do Bromsgrove.
The 28th Minute shows this as a long range effort from Cowley is comfortably saved by Gwilliams.
The competitive first half hour stalemate is soon broken when Cowley again makes a run into the box and loses the ball only for Gregory and Gwilliams to find them both going for the loose ball, the resulting clash results in a penalty to which Gregory scores calmly. 1-0.
Despite the penalty this appears to galvanise the Sutton Ultras who turn the tempo up with a famous rendition of Tequila in an effort to lift the lads after the set back of a conceded penalty.
Following the penalty the wind is clearly in the sails of the Bromsgrove players who step up the tempo resulting in 2 quick fire attempts on the Sutton goal with a blocked header and viscous shot wide moments later taking us into the 39th minute with the score still at 1-0.
When it looked to be calming down following the penalty, Bromsgrove struck again in the 40th minute with a deep cross to the back post where the busy Cowley is lurking to head across goal and into the net. 2-0.
HT – Sutton had not been disappointing in the first half and had been very busy moving the ball around well and matching the tempo of Bromsgrove, and despite the 2 goals being conceded still looked remarkably lively on the field. A key half time talk was required by Toothy and his backroom staff.
The second half got underway with the news of 1849 spectators being present to enjoy the semi-final, with little knowing the second half was going to prove to be a football spectacle to remember.
The first 5 minutes see little activity of note, but this appears to allow Sutton to re-organise and implement the half time talk they have received.
Suttons patience to the start of the second half is paid of no sooner than the 52nd minute when Sutton find themselves with plenty of bodies in the Bromsgrove box which results in 3 close range efforts, the first 2 being saved by Jono Brown, but the sharp energetic reactions of Reece Gibson sees him on the third effort to slot a low shot home from close range. His second goal in as many games, on only his third appearance!
This was exactly what Sutton needed, not only did it lift the squad but the delight from the ultras and the bench was clear to see.
The reinvigorated Sutton soon put the goal to good use and with the wind in their sales as did Bromsgrove with their first earlier in the game soon got the all-important equaliser.
The 60th minute saw a determined Reece Gibson charge down a clearance, and his determination was rewarded with a fortunate deflection that cannons of his knee and loops over the keeper! They all count and Reece is definitely happy with the goal, as are the team! 2-2.
Its Bromsgrove’s crowds turn to now lift the squad as the noise elevates within the stadium.
The next 15th minutes sees Bromsgrove passing the ball around and create a handful of half chances but the Sutton defence truly works hard to deny anything that could put Gwilliams in danger. Numerous players put their bodies on the line to deny the chances.
The key moment of the second half came in the 3rd minute of injury time when Bromsgrove won a corner right on the edge of the penalty area in front of goal. The resulting free kick had plenty of curl on it and beat the wall and looked destined for the net, but Gwilliams pulled of an outstanding save to palm it on to the wood work and out to safety.
The game finishes after 90 minutes at 2 – 2, with extra time now to be played to try and decide a winner in this closely contested match.
It Sutton who start extra time with intent with plenty of action. In the 5th minute of extra time Niall Flint who had replaced Alex Moore earlier in the game makes a run into the penalty area who receives an excellent cross and pulls of nearly the perfect bicycle kick but puts it over the bar.
Its only 2 minutes later before Sutton have there next chance to take the lead. Ryan Nesbitt who had come on for Jon Letford in the 70th minute breaks through free but his shot is saved.
Despite the excellent tempo from Sutton its Bromsgrove who get the all-important goal. A shot is well saved by Gwilliams at a difficult angle, but unfortunately he cannot do anything but push it away – only for Hayward to be the closest man to then put the ball in the net. 3-2.
Half time in extra time soon comes round, and after a short break the second half gets underway.
Sutton are determined to get something from this game and apply serious pressure to Bromsgrove with several excellent corners providing some good chances with Jono Brown doing all he can to keep the ball out.
Bromsgrove do create one good chance in the last few minutes but it is hit over the bar, and ultimately brings the game to a close after 120 minutes.
The game finished 3-2, and can only be described as a fantastic spectacle for home and away fans alike.
Suttons players can really walk away proud from that performance as they pushed Bromsgrove right to the end, and Bromsgrove new that had been in a game. This is also a reflection on Toothy and his backroom staff who have rebuilt the squad this year.
Credit where credit is due and Bromsgrove who themselves played very well won the game on the night. |