Sutton United V Wolverhampton Casuals (League Cup, Second Round)

​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