​Sutton United were looking for another cup upset yesterday evening against premier division side Wolverhampton Casuals in the second round of the league cup. It’s been a positive season so far for the hosts who have reached the second round of the FA Vase alongside challenging for the top half in division one.  

They’ve been on a good run of form of late with three wins over the last month which includes the memorable away win against AFC Wulfrunians in the FA Vase.

It’s been a challenging start to the season for Wolverhampton Casuals in the premier division. The visitors were in the bottom two going into this match with two wins from twelve matches. None the less, there’s reasons for hope with the Cassies only a point from safety and a lot of the season left.

Their main problem this season has been on the road with no wins away from home in the league.

Coleshill Road is a brilliant ground for non-league football and well worth a visit for supporters across the West Midlands. It’s an accessible ground to visit in division one by public transport with Sutton Coldfield train station in walking distance.

The atmosphere was friendly and welcoming and the programme on offer was informative and well put together. It included a history of both Sutton United and Wolverhampton Casuals alongside an update of Sutton’s season so far.    

​Starting line ups

The starting line up for Sutton United included Gabe Newey starting in goal and Matt Bishop captaining the team from central defence. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Oli Jeeves leading the line up front and being supported by Leyton Hines and Hayden Froggatt down the wings.

There were four changes from their match against Birstall United at the weekend with George Ray coming into the team and playing in central defence.

Wolverhampton’s starting line up featured Lucas Kibrya in goal and Harry Rogers captaining the team from central defence. The formation looked like a 4-3-3 with Connor Parker playing up front and being supported by Kamren Smith and Tom Cottam on the wings.

There were five changes from their last league match against Uttoxeter Town a few weeks back with Tyler Bishop coming into the team and playing in holding midfield.  

​First Half

Wolverhampton Casuals started the match well and created some good chances in front of goal inside the opening ten minutes. Connor Parker made a good run into the box before firing over the bar and they were linking up well in the final third.

Sutton United were well organised off the ball with George Ray making a lot of headers at the back to help them settle into the match. They did well to stop some of the early momentum from Wolverhampton Casuals and were looking to make things happen on the ball.

​They took the lead in the 7th minute when Joe Gildea produced a quality free kick into the top right corner to make it 1-0. It was a brilliant strike from the edge of the box that beat the wall and Lucas Kibrya in goal to find the net.

Sutton had a guilt edged chance to make it 2-0 a few minutes later when Hayden Froggatt made an inspired run down the left-hand side. He beat a few players before running through on goal and having a shot go wide of the left post. He impressed yesterday for Sutton and was positive on the ball for the division one side.

Another player who played well for Sutton was Sam Jeeves from holding midfield who was constantly tracking back and helping to break up the play to stop some of the Wolverhampton pressure. He also linked up the play well when building attacks.

Wolverhampton Casuals started to build some momentum in the latter stages of the first half and had a sustained fifteen-minute spell where they looked dangerous in front of goal. Harry Rogers was playing well at the back for the visitors and gave them a platform to settle into the match.

The best chance for the visitors came when Harry Rogers put an effort wide at the back post from a well worked corner into the box.

Sutton did well to hold out and went into the half time break with a 1-0 lead.

Second Half

Sutton got off to a brilliant start in the early stages of the second half and made it 2-0 inside the opening five minutes. Substitute Reece Gibson won the ball high up the pitch before squaring it to Joe Gildea who produced a composed finish into the bottom left corner. It was a clinical goal from Sutton, and they took the chance well.

The visitors were building some momentum throughout the second half and causing Sutton a few problems at the back. They were making a lot of runs off the shoulder and looking to beat the offside trap. Kamren Smith and substitute Robin Allesbrook looked a threat down the wings, and they were capable of a comeback with half an hour to go.

They got a goal back on the hour mark when Robin Allesbrook reacted quickest to a second ball before squaring it to Connor Parker who finished into the bottom left corner to make it a nervy finish for the hosts.  

Sutton United had to battle throughout the final twenty minutes and were managing the match well with the hope of causing an upset against the premier division side. Wolverhampton Casuals showed character from being 2-0 down and were chasing an equaliser in the closing stages of the match.

Matt Bishop struggled to clear a ball into the box which put the visitors through on goal. Gabe Newey stepped up and made an instinctive save to keep it at 2-1 with twenty minutes to go.

Sutton were mainly playing on the counterattack in the final stages of the second half but were creating some good chances in the final third. George Ray had a header go wide of the right-hand post from a free kick into the box and they still posed an attacking threat. Reece Gibson also had a shot saved by Lucas Kibrya who pushed it away from goal.

​The best chance for the visitors to get an equaliser came when Tom Cottam made a brilliant run down the left-hand side before having his cross hit the bar which could have hit the underside and went in.  

The Cassies were reduced to ten men with a few minutes to go when Tyler Bishop was sent off for an incident off the ball. None the less, the visitors battled back in the second half and were close to taking the game to penalties.

Sutton held on for a brilliant win to continue their impressive form in cup competitions this season.

Full Time

It was an encouraging performance from the hosts who defended well with both Matt Bishop and George Ray impressing at the back. They also took their chances well and looked clinical in front of goal which helped them get the upset. Hayden Froggatt was a real attacking threat in this game and looks a good signing having impressed for division two side Hampton last season.

They have a run of away games coming up which includes Stapenhill (League), Tividale (FA Vase) and Cradley Town (League) which should be interesting to follow.

Wolverhampton Casuals looked good in this match and competed well with Sutton for large parts of it. Despite the result it was an encouraging performance from the Cassies who showed their attacking threat and were making things happen in the final third. They were passing the ball around well and there’s quality in the squad through the likes of Tom Cottam and Connor Parker.

They have a tough run of league fixtures coming up against Shifnal Town (Home), Whitchurch (Home) and AFC Wulfrunians (Away). A result in one of these fixtures could boost their chances of staying up.                 

FT score: Sutton United 2-1 Wolverhampton Casuals

Man of the match: Joe Gildea (Sutton United)

Attendance: 160

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League 

Knowle played newly promoted Northfield Town yesterday afternoon in a huge match in division two. The Robins have been one of the standout teams in step seven over the last few years and are looking to win the league title this season. Their home record since the start of the 22/23 season has been brilliant with just three losses from 37 matches going into yesterday.   

The Solihull side had built on their form from last season and went into yesterday with ten wins from eleven matches to sit top of the table.

Odane Barnes has impressed since joining from Alcester Town and has 13 goals so far this season.  

Northfield have adapted well to step seven following promotion from division three last season. The visitors have been a good addition to the MFL since joining last year and have been challenging near the top of division two over the last few months. Their league form has been eye catching with just one loss from eleven matches to sit in 2nd with 28 points and just three off league leaders Knowle.  

The atmosphere at the Robins Nest was friendly and welcoming and it felt like a big match yesterday. There was an encouraging attendance of 170 supporters who turned up to watch the game with Northfield bringing a good following. The programme on offer was informative and included a look at Knowle’s season so far along with a history of Northfield Town.  

​The ground is well worth a visit for casual groundhoppers across the West Midlands and is accessible to get to by public transport. Supporters can get either the 87 or 88 from Solihull Town Centre and get off at the Lodge Road stop for a seven-minute walk to the ground.   

​Starting line ups

The starting line up for Knowle included Craig Johnson starting in goal and George Seeley captaining the team from attacking midfield. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Odane Barnes leading the line up front and being supported by Zak Parsons and Tom Crane down the wings.

There were four changes from their match against Bolehall Swifts a few weeks ago with Callum Scott coming into the team and playing at right back.    

Northfield’s starting line up included Tom Walker starting in goal and Josh Westwood captaining the team from holding midfield. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Lewis Jones playing as the main striker and being supported by Ethan Hanks and Josh Roberts on the wings.

There were two changes from their match against Central Ajax a few weeks ago with Jack Wilson coming into the team and playing in attacking midfield. 

​First Half

Knowle started the match well in the early stages of the first half and were taking the game to Northfield in search of the opening goal. The Robins were committing players forward and creating chances in the final third.

A good chance fell to Zak Parsons who found some space in the box before firing wide from a good position.

Northfield went into this match with one of the best defences in the league and there was some brilliant last ditch tackling to keep it goalless throughout the first half. The visitors had conceded just seven goals going into yesterday with only Knowle bettering their defensive record. The likes of Brad Hendry and Myles Brooks impressed at the back for Northfield to help them settle into the match.

​There was an instinctive save by Tom Walker who did well to palm Callum Scott’s shot away from goal.

Odane Barnes was making some brilliant runs down the channels for Knowle and held up the ball well to help them get up the pitch. He was causing Northfield a few problems at the back and looked a real threat for Knowle throughout this match.

Northfield were linking up well when they had the ball and building attacks. Their best chance of the first half fell to Josh Darnbrough who had some space outside the box before having a shot comfortably saved by Craig Johnson.

The chances were limited throughout the first half with Knowle looking assured at the back and not giving the visitors that many shots at goal. Ricardo Dudley and Lewis Clarke were reading the game well to give Knowle a control of the match.

The best chance for the Robins came in the latter stages of the first half when a well delivered corner by George Seeley found Tom Crane at the back post who headed over the bar from a good position.

Both sides were well organised off the ball and cancelled each other out throughout parts of the first half. Knowle had a lot of the ball, but Northfield were dangerous on the counterattack and had a few half chances.     

​Second Half

The pattern of the match continued where it left off in the early stages of the second half with Knowle looking to break down a resolute Northfield defence. Toby Scott had a free kick outside the box go narrowly wide of the right-hand post.

Tom Walker had an incredible game in the Northfield goal and stood up to the Knowle pressure throughout the second half. He made another instinctive save to deny Odane Barnes who was through on goal with just the keeper to beat.

Myles Brooks also impressed at the back and was making some good clearances to stop promising attacks for Knowle. He’s been a good addition to the squad since joining over the summer and played for the likes of Fairfield Villa and Redditch Borough last season.

Knowle substitute Brandon Hague was free in the box before having a shot well saved by Tom Walker to keep it at 0-0. The chances were there for the Robins yesterday.

​A hand ball in the box resulted in a Knowle penalty in the latter stages of the second half. Brandon Hague stepped up and had his spot kick saved by Tom Walker who read it well and saved it down the middle.

Northfield had a few late chances to cause an upset in the final fifteen minutes on the break. The best chance fell to Jack Wilson who was free in the box before having a shot go wide of the right-hand post. He went a bit under the radar yesterday but impressed for Northfield and was tracking back to break up the play for the visitors.

Josh Westwood also had a shot tipped round the post by Craig Johnson in the closing stages of the second half.

Not long after the referee blew for the full-time whistle with both teams taking home a point.

Full Time

Knowle will feel a bit disappointed not to get the win yesterday and they were pressing for the winner in the second half. The Robins were creating chances but brilliant goalkeeping by Tom Walker stopped them finding the winner. None the less, there in a good position and have a crucial run of fixtures coming up against Birmingham United (Home) and Fairfield Villa (Away).

Northfield played well yesterday and got a statement result against Knowle which is one of the toughest places to go in division two. It was an encouraging away performance from the visitors with Tom Walker making some good saves to keep it at 0-0 and they had some chances to win it late on.

They have a run of league fixtures coming up with games against Lane Head (Away) and Cadbury Athletic (Home) over the next few weeks.         

FT score: Knowle 0-0 Northfield Town

Man of the Match: Tom Walker (Northfield Town)

Attendance: 170

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League