Sutton United V Chelmsley Town (Division One)

​Sutton United were looking to continue their good home form with a result against Chelmsley Town at Coleshill Road. The Greens have been impressive of late and were five home matches unbeaten in division one.

It’s a big month of the season for Sutton with a league cup semi-final match against Stapenhill next Tuesday alongside upcoming league games against Allexton and New Parks and Nuneaton Town.    

Chelmsley have been a side rejuvenated since the turn of the year with eye catching wins against Kirby Muxloe and Coventry Copsewood in the league. The visitors were on a good run of form coming into this match with just one loss from their last seven matches.

The aim over the next few months will be to avoid finishing in the bottom three and building from there. None the less, the future is looking bright for Chelmsley in step six with Gary Holliday coming in as their new chairman and players such as Harry Jackson joining the squad.

The atmosphere around Sutton United prior to kick off was friendly and welcoming. The facilities are impressive for the level with an inviting club house and a wide selection of drinks available for supporters. The programme on offer was informative and included an update on the season so far alongside a history of Chelmsley Town.  

Starting line ups

Sutton’s starting line-up included Greg Lewis starting in goal and Matt Bishop captaining the team at centre back. The formation looked like a 3-4-3 with a front two of Oli Jeeves and Hayden Froggatt being supported by Joe Gildea in the number ten role.

There were two changes from their match against Gornal Atheltic with Harry Howard coming into the team and playing in central midfield alongside Sam Jeeves.  

Chelmsley’s starting line up included Harry Sulley starting in goal and Adam Keeley captaining the team from holding midfield. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Joel Maddocks playing up front and being supported by Toby Hulland and Louie Newbold on the wings.

There were four changes from their match against Ingles with Josh Stewart coming into the team and playing in the number ten role. 

First Half

Chelmsley started the match well and took a surprise lead in the opening stages of the first half. The visitors found some space on the break before Barry Fitzharris noticed Greg Lewis off his line and produced a quality finish into the top left corner from range to make it 1-0. It was a brilliant goal which helped Chelmsley settle into the match early on.

Sutton gradually grew into the match as the first half went on and started to build some momentum in front of goal. Matt Bishop had a good chance to make it 1-1 when he found some space from a corner but couldn’t get his shot on target.

​The formation used by Sutton involved Zach Binns and Adbul Touaiti playing as wing backs and looking to stretch the play. They were causing some problems for Chelmsley down the wings with Abdul Touaiti playing a brilliant cross to Joe Gildea who couldn’t get his header on target.  

Chelmsley were working hard off the ball to limit the chances for Sutton throughout the first half and were mainly playing on the break thanks to the pace of Toby Hulland and Louie Newbold on the wings.

They made it 2-0 in the middle of the first half when a well delivered throw in caused a bit of panic in the Sutton box before Barry Fitzharris was on hand to finish into the bottom right corner.

The visitors were doing well to keep Sutton at bay throughout the first half and limit the clear-cut chances in front of goal. Courtney Lashley and Luke Cowley-Bryenton were playing well at the back and Barry Fitzharris was acting as a defensive shield for the back four.    

Sutton looked a threat in the first half with Joe Gildea holding up the play well and Hayden Froggatt making some good runs into the box. They were just searching for that final ball to cause Chelmsley problems defensively.    

Second Half

The second half got off to a lively start and Chelmsley were reduced to ten men in the opening few minutes. Hayden Froggatt got through on goal before being brought down by Harry Sulley just outside the box which resulted in a red card.

Sutton pulled a goal back a few minutes later when Zach Binns capitalised on a loose ball in the box before finishing into the bottom right corner to make it 2-1.

The momentum was with Sutton following the sending off and they made it 2-2 a few minutes later when Oli Jeeves received the ball before laying it off to Joe Gildea who guided it into the bottom right corner for the equaliser.

There was a guilt edged opportunity to make it 3-2 a few minutes after the equaliser when Abdul Touaiti produced a brilliant cross from the right-hand side that found Oli Jeeves who couldn’t quite get his header on target.

Chelmsley battled hard at 2-2 and showed character and resiliency to stay in the match and not let it getaway from them in the middle of the second half. Corey Solomon and Luke Cowley-Bryenton stepped up at the back to keep them in the game.   

Sutton were reduced to ten men when Harry Manton brought down substitute Mark Rose who was through on goal with twenty minutes to go. This gave Chelmsley a good ten-minute spell of momentum in front of goal.  

The best chance for Chelmsley to take the lead came when Oliver Burgundy played an inviting ball to Harry Jackson who dragged his shot wide of the left-hand post.

The visitors showed their attacking depth with Mark Rose, Oliver Burgundy and Harry Jackson coming off the bench in the second half and causing Sutton a few problems on the break.

It looked like they had done enough to gain a valuable point when a goal line clearance from a corner stopped Sutton making it 3-2 with just a few minutes to go.

Sutton found a late breakthrough when an unfortunate own goal by Henry Walker made it 3-2 deep into stoppage time. Joe Gildea played a threatening low ball into the box and the Chelmsley defender diverted it into his own net.

Not long after the referee blew for the full-time whistle with Sutton making it consecutive home wins in division one.

Full Time

Sutton United did just enough yesterday to get the three points and keep up their good form in division one. It’s now three wins from their last five matches in the league and the Greens will be pushing for a top ten finish over the next few months.

Their upcoming fixtures include Allexton and New Parks (Home), Stapenhill (Away, League Cup), Nuneaton Town (Away) and Wednesfield (Home) over the next couple of weeks.

Chelmsley Town will feel gutted not to get something from this match and they battled hard throughout the ninety minutes. They were a bit unlucky with the own goal in stoppage time and they offered an attacking threat on the counterattack.

Toby Hulland impressed on the wing and the likes of Oliver Burgundy and Harry Jackson offered an attacking threat in the final third.  

Manager Steve Solomon has put together a competitive squad who can avoid finishing in the bottom three if they can keep up their impressive home form at Pack Meadow.   

Their upcoming fixtures include Lutterworth Athletic (Home), Birstall United (Away), Cradley Town (Home) and Ingles (Home) over the next few weeks.      

FT score: Sutton United 3-2 Chelmsley Town

Man of the match: Joe Gildea (Sutton United)

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League