Royals take advantage of defensive errors for second home victory in seven days.
Sutton Town recorded their second home win of the week in a game which saw the home side twice take advantage of errors in the Stamford back line.
The game started slowly, with neither side managing to create any clear-cut chances. Some good passing play on the edge of the Stamford box after 17 minutes ended with the ball at the feet of Mark Bellingham, however his goal was ruled out for offside. Niall Cooper was then called into action five minutes later to make an excellent double save to deny Dan Cotton and Lee Beeson for Stamford.
As the first half progressed it was Stamford who began to dominate. A free kick from Cotton hit the Sutton wall and was deflected off the top of the cross bar, while five minutes later it was Stamford’s turn to have a goal ruled out for offside. Cotton then turned provider as he crossed the ball for Dean Oliver, however his header lacked power and was easily caught by Cooper.
At the other end Mark Bellingham saw a shot destined for the bottom corner blocked, while a corner from the left was tipped round the post by Mario Ziccardi. With four minutes of the first half remaining, Sutton finally found the breakthrough they needed. A great ball from Dean Rathbone found Matt Dodd in plenty of space down the right. The resultant cross found Ross Miller at the near post, and he made no mistake in converting it to make it 1-0 to the Royals at half time.
The second half saw Sutton start much brighter, and after eight minutes Mark Bellingham found himself through on goal after chasing down a long clearance, and saw his shot go just wide from a tight angle. A minute later Bellingham found himself clear of the Stamford defence once again, but with the goalkeeper having seemingly slipped in an attempt to close him down, he could only shoot straight at him.
Sutton were now well on top, but it was a mistake by the Stamford defence which led to them doubling their lead. A throw from Ziccardi hit Daniel Barrett and dropped kindly for Craig Marshall, who made no mistake firing the ball into the top right to make it 2-0.
Stamford made changes in an attempt to get back into the game, and it was substitute Gary King who would have their first shot of the half with a header straight at Niall Cooper. Sutton could then have further increased their lead as first Rathbone and then Marshall saw efforts just evade the goal. Stamford were then gifted one more chance to change the game as a mistake from Stuart McNaught allowed Jake Gibson to get a shot away, which was well held by Cooper.
It was deep into injury time that Sutton wrapped up the game, again capitalising on an error in the Stamford defence. Miles Chamberlain attempted to head the ball back to his goalkeeper under pressure from substitute James Reid, but failed to get enough on the pass and allowed Reid to nip in and chip Ziccardi to make it a comfortable 3-0 victory for the Royals.
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