Bilston Town V Sutton United (Division One)

​Bilston were looking to build on their 1-0 win against Leicester St Andrews at the weekend with a result against Sutton United. The Steelmen had won two of their opening three matches in division one and were looking for their second home win of the season. New signing Luke Carter has impressed in midfield and scored the winner on Saturday against last season’s play off finalists.       

Sutton United were looking to continue their excellent start to the season in division one and make it four straight wins. The Green Army notably beat Heather St John’s and Ingles last week and have been one of the standout teams in division one so far.

Prolific forward Joe Gildea was coming into yesterday’s match in form with three goals from his last two matches which included a late winner against Ingles last weekend.

An impressive attendance of 265 supporters turned up to Queen Street last night with both sets of supporters creating a good atmosphere throughout. The visitors bought along a notable away following for a Wednesday evening who cheered the Green Army on against Bilston. 

​Starting line ups

Bilston’s starting line up included Dominic Cooper starting in goal and Luke Carter captaining the team from holding midfield. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Sam Yankson playing up front and being supported by Louie Newbold and Ricardo Heaven on the wings.

There were five changes from their match against Leicester St Andrews on Saturday with Josh Banks coming into the team and playing at centre back alongside Ben Priest.

Sutton United’s starting line up included Greg Lewis starting in goal and Tom Massey captaining the team from the left side of midfield. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Hayden Froggatt playing up front and being supported by Ollie Burgundy and Tom Massey on the wings.

There were three changes from their match against Ingles at the weekend with Sam Jeeves coming into the team and playing in holding midfield alongside Lewis Hayden. 

First Half

The early stages of the first half were cagey with both teams settling into the match and working each other out.

Sutton United created a couple of half chances in the opening twenty minutes to take the lead. Aiden Mee made a good run down the right before squaring the ball to Joe Gildea who couldn’t quite connect with it on 13 minutes.

Hayden Froggatt also made a well-timed run into the final third before having a shot go wide of the left-hand post in the 15th minute.       

​Lewis Hayden was playing well in holding midfield for the visitors and helped to shield the back four to give Sutton a foothold in the match early on. He was constantly breaking up the play and starting off attacks in the opening half an hour.

Bilston looked well organised off the ball and created a huge chance in the 20th minute when Sam Yankson made a diagonal run into the box before firing wide of the left-hand post.

Josh Banks was reading the danger well at centre back and helped the Steelmen grow into the match as the first half went on. He made a lot of clearances throughout the first half to now allow Sutton a clear chance at goal.

There was a notable chance for Chad Carter who found some space in the box down the left-hand side. Sam Yankson did well to head the ball on to the Bilston midfielder who sent his effort over the bar in the 30th minute.

The key moment of the first half came a few minutes later when Lewis Hayden was sent off for a late challenge on Chad Carter in the 33rd minute which reduced the visitors to ten men.

Tom Massey was moved to holding midfield and filled in admirably for the visitors in the final stages of the first half.

Sutton used the offside trap a lot in this match and looked well organised at the back. They managed the match well with ten men with Lewis Wall impressing at centre back and reading the danger well in the box.

Sam Yankson served as a real focal point up front for Bilston and the Steelmen had the momentum in the final ten minutes of the first half. He made countless runs into the final third and did a good job of holding the ball up to give them an attacking outlet up front.

Luke Carter also played well in holding midfield and was helping to build up the play throughout the first half.

Bilston were pressing for the lead going into half time, but Sutton were able to see out the first half to go into the break at 0-0.

Second Half

The half time break gave the visitors a chance to regroup and set up a plan for the second half with ten men. Manager Richard Heath made some clever tactical changes for Sutton with Reiss Hick coming on for Joe Gildea and playing at centre back. Lewis Wall was moved to holding midfield with Tom Massey moving to the right-hand side.

The formation looked like a 4-2-3 and they were looking to catch Bilston out on the break thanks to the pace of Hayden Froggatt up front as the number nine.

Bilston built some momentum in the early stages of the second half and threatened from a couple of corners delivered into the box.

​Sutton United stunned the home crowd and took the lead when Reiss Hick scored from a header into the bottom right corner thanks to a well worked free kick on 59 minutes.

The Steelmen were looking to respond and almost found an equaliser a few minutes later when substitute Callum Bright found some space down the left-hand side. He noticed Greg Lewis off his line and saw his long-range effort go marginally wide of the far post on 64 minutes.

The visitors put in a street wise performance and were able to manage the match to stifle the attacking quality of Bilston. They continued to use the offside trap well and looked organised both on and off the ball.  

Substitute Reiss Hick impressed throughout the second half. He was constantly reading the danger at centre back and stepped up for the Green Army to not allow Bilston back into the match.

Bilston were searching for a route back into the match, but it was not clicking up front for the Steelmen who were struggling to break down a stubborn Sutton defence.  

The visitors looked a threat with ten men and scored again in the latter stages of the second half to make it 2-0. A throw in into the box found Lewis Wall who headed into the bottom left corner to spark jubilant scenes in the away end on 75 minutes.

Hayden Froggatt was a real attacking threat for the Green Army in the second half. He helped the visitors get up the pitch and build attacks up which took the pressure off the defence.   

It was an impressive second half performance from the ten men of Sutton who showed character to take the game to Bilston.

The coaching staff of Richard Heath and Jon Huckfield made some brilliant substitutions and tactical changes which helped Sutton get a result yesterday in challenging circumstances.  

Full credit to the players who stood up to the Bilston pressure in the second half and were able to see the game out for a huge three points.

Upcoming fixtures

Bilston will be looking to bounce back with a home game against Kirby Muxloe on Saturday before a run of away games against Gornal Athletic (Next Tuesday), AFC North Kilworth (Next Saturday) and Chelmsley Town (Bank Holiday Monday).

Sutton will be looking to keep their momentum going against Smethwick Rangers (Home) on Saturday before playing Knowle (Home, next Tuesday), Gornal Athletic (Away, next Saturday) and Stapenhill (Away, Bank Holiday Monday) over the next few weeks.         

FT score: Bilston Town 0-2 Sutton United

Man of the match: Lewis Wall (Sutton United)

Attendance: 265

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League