Sutton United V Atherstone Town (MFL League Cup)

​Sutton United were looking to cause another upset in the MFL league cup yesterday evening against premier division side Atherstone Town. It’s been a brilliant season for the Greens under the management team of Richard Heath and Liam Burke so far at step six. The club went on a historic run to the fourth-round proper of the FA Vase and are challenging for a top half finish in division one.

Atherstone Town are challenging for a play off spot in the premier division and are building something under manager Mitch Thomson who was appointed in the middle of last season. The Adders notably beat Brocton 2-1 in their last competitive match on the 28th of December with the weather causing havoc since the turn of the year.

The atmosphere around Coleshill Road was friendly and welcoming prior to kick off. The facilities in the clubhouse are impressive for the level and there’s a wide selection of drinks available for supporters. 

​Starting line ups

The starting line up for Sutton included Aidan Jeynes starting in goal and Matt Bishop captaining the team at centre back. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Hayden Froggatt playing up front and being supported by Abdul Touaiti and Oli Jeeves on the wings.

There were five changes from their match against Saffron Dynamo at the weekend with Tion Pearce coming back into the team and playing at right-back.

Atherstone Town’s starting line up included Finley Osborn starting in goal and Lewis Noon captaining the team from central midfield. The formation looked like a 4-4-2 with a front two of Ryan Harkin and Mitchell Woakes being supported by Toby Nicoll and Jack Edwards on the wings.

There were two changes from their last match against Brocton with Toby Nicoll and Jack Edwards the only changes.  

​First Half

Sutton United settled into the match in the early stages of the first half and were moving the ball around well thanks to the passing of Sef Semlali and Sam Jeeves from holding midfield.

Atherstone started to build some momentum in the middle of the first half and were pressing high up the pitch to limit the space for Sutton when playing out from the back. Their best chance to make it 1-0 came when Jack Wells found some space in the box before firing over the bar.

​The Adders showed their quality in the first half with Tom Smith building attacks from midfield and creating space down the channels. Niall Rowe was also defending well at centre back and alert to the danger of Sutton up front.

The visitors had a lot of the ball throughout the first half and were looking to break down a resolute Sutton side who were working hard off the ball to limit the space available. The Greens were mainly playing on the counter attack in the first half but looked a threat up front with Joe Gildea holding up the play well and bringing players into the game.

Sutton United were able to keep the match tight thanks to the defending of Matt Bishop and George Ray at centre back who were putting in blocks and cutting out dangerous balls into the box.  

The Greens had a few half chances in the first half when Joe Gildea had a shot from the edge of the box saved by Finley Osborn and Matt Bishop had a header go wide from a free kick into the box.  

Sutton were able to take the lead a few minutes before half time thanks to a brilliant run by Matt Bishop down the left-hand side who beat a few players before finishing into the bottom right corner to make it 1-0.

It was not quite clicking for Atherstone in the final third throughout the first half and they were mainly limited to half chances. Their lack of matches due to the weather might have played a part alongside Sutton using the offside trap to stop promising attacks.

Second Half

Atherstone had a huge chance to get back into the match in the early stages of the second half when Tom Smith was free in the box with just Aidan Jeynes to beat at the back post. He made a well-timed run into the box but couldn’t quite connect with the ball for the equaliser.  

Sutton United scored on the break a couple of minutes later to make it 2-0. Hayden Froggatt found some space down the left-hand side before crossing to Oli Jeeves who finished at the front post for Sutton’s second.

The visitors showed some character and kept going in search of a way back into the match. They created some decent chances in and around the box but were lacking that ruthlessness in front of goal. Jack Edwards made a good run into the box but couldn’t get his shot on target to test Aidan Jeynes in the Sutton goal.  

Sutton were brilliant off the ball in this match and stayed focused throughout the ninety minutes to limit the clear-cut chances for Atherstone. Tion Pearce had an underrated game at right-back and defended well to stop some of Atherstone’s momentum down the left-hand side. Abdul Touaiti was also tracking back to take some of the pressure off Sutton defensively.  

There was a late chance to make it 3-0 when Hayden Froggatt ran into the box before getting a shot off that was saved by Finley Osborn a few minutes before full time.

Not long after the referee blew for the full-time whistle with Sutton United being one match away from a visit to the Bescot Stadium.  
Full Time

Sutton United have been brilliant at causing cup upsets this season against a range of teams higher up the pyramid and it continued yesterday with an eye-catching result against Atherstone. To reach the semi finals of the MFL league cup is a notable achievement for a division one side and puts them one win away from being in the final at the Bescot near the end of the season.

There’s a lot to play for over the next few months for the Greens who are pushing for a top half finish alongside getting to the semi-finals of the league cup.

Their upcoming league fixtures include Heather St John’s (Away), Gornal Athletic (Home), Chelmsley Town (Home) and Allexton and New Parks (Home) over the next few weeks.

Atherstone will feel a bit disappointed with the result yesterday but their having a good season and are well in the mix for a play off place in the premier division. There’s still a lot to play for and they should be an exciting side to follow over the next few months.  

Their upcoming league fixtures include Shifnal Town (Away), Northwich Victoria (Away), Shifnal Town (Home) and Uttoxeter Town (Away) over the next couple of weeks.                       

FT score: Sutton United 2-0 Atherstone Town

Man of the Match: Matt Bishop (Sutton United)

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League