Sutton United (0)2 Bath City (1)2

Bath City almost came away from high-flying Sutton United’s Gander Green Lane ground with a highly creditable victory, but were denied by a last gasp equaliser by the hosts in the 90th minute.

The game was played on a bumpy surface with a strong diagonal cross-field breeze in the home team’s favour in the first half.  This resulted in a scrappy opening forty five minutes, during which Sutton generally employed direct long-ball tactics, whilst City attempted to play their passing game when the chance arose.

United had the better of the early stages and Michael Spillane’s underhit 3rd minute volley was comfortably collected by Jason Mellor.  Craig Dundas then shot from the edge of the box, but his effort was wide of Mellor’s post.

Despite having their share of possession, City were finding it difficult to make any genuine impression on the home defence, but they were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty kick on 22 minutes, when Dan Ball’s cross into the box was handled by former City man Charlie Clough.  

Dan Bowman came on for skipper Andy Gallinagh, who had not recovered from the effects of an earlier heavy tackle.  Sekani Simpson moved inside to partner Phil Walsh, whilst Bowman took responsibility for the right back birth.

Three minutes later, a fortunate ricochet fell into the path of Jamie Taylor, but Walsh did extremely well to block his run on goal.  Optimistic appeals for a home penalty were waved away by the referee, Mr. Steven Plane of Pershore.  

On the half hour mark, Clough rose highest at the far post to nod down a right wing free kick into the feet of Dundas, but the striker was foiled by a good save from Mellor low down as he prepared to shoot.

The visitors were coming more into proceedings and Ross Stearn found Dave Pratt with a neat pass.  The front-man took the ball in his stride and forced Sutton keeper Jason Brown into a diving save at his near post.  Pratt headed over the crossbar from the resulting corner kick.

Ben Adelsbury lifted a shot over the bar in the 38th minute and, at the other end, Lee Sawyer’s drive from 20 yards passed harmlessly wide of Mellor’s post.

As the first half moved into stoppage time, Simon Downer committed a crude and needless foul on Andy Watkins out wide on the right.  The full back was cautioned for his trouble, and his side was then made to pay for his misdemeanor.  Stearn delivered a perfectly flighted free kick into the danger zone, and Pratt’s glancing header saw the ball nestle in the far bottom corner of the net.

The home side emerged after the break looking determined to put pressure on the City rearguard, albeit the breeze was now slightly behind the visitors.  Taylor tried his luck with a shot from the edge of the box, which was comfortably gathered by Mellor.  

It was the Somerset side, however, who came desperately close to extending their lead on 57 minutes.  Josh Low picked out Chris Allen and the midfielder curled a delightful shot beyond the dive of Brown, but it came back off the angle of post and crossbar.  Watkins was the first to react, lifting the loose ball over the target, only for his blushes to be spared by an offside flag.

Taylor’s attempted cross shot from 20 yards was high and wide of Mellor’s goal, and substitute Kane Haysman’s shot-on-the-turn was deflected behind for a corner.

With his side struggling to control the midfield areas, Lee Howells replaced Stearn with Noah Keats after 68 minutes, but it was United who continued to dominate.  Hayman raced clear on to a flicked header, but succeeded only in firing straight at Mellor.

Bath were now restricted to breakaways and, on one such raid in the 77th minute, Adelsbury put Watkins clear down the right.  The striker advanced into the box, but Brown was able to push his angled shot behind for a corner, with Pratt and Low unmarked in the middle.

Keats drive from 20 yards was well wide of the mark, and Adam Connolly then came on for Low with eleven minutes remaining.

Taylor’s first time volley succeeded only in finding the outside of the side netting, but the hosts were back on terms on 82 minutes.  A harsh looking free kick was awarded against Walsh on the right side of the City box, and Gavin McCullam’s delivery was met by Clough at the far post, who made no mistake from close range.

Bath responded well to this setback, and Watkins shot over the bar from a useful position after good work by Pratt.  Mellor then produced an excellent save to keep out Damian Scannell’s thumping rising effort, and City took full advantage with just three minutes left on the clock.  Mellor’s huge downfield punt was brilliantly brought down by Pratt, and the forward strode into the box before planting the ball into the corner of the net beyond the outrushing Brown.

Alas, the lead lasted just three minutes as Haysman benefitted from Bowman’s slip out wide and drove a low cross into the six yard box, where Dundas was waiting to gleefully slide the ball home.

Matters could have deteriorated further for City as the hosts had the ball in the net again in the forth minute of added time, but they were relieved to see Downer’s header ruled out by an offside offense.

Defeat would have been harsh for a City side who had battled hard all afternoon.  Whilst there will be great disappointment that a second equaliser was conceded having taken the lead so late in the game, a draw was probably a fair outcome and reflection of the game as a whole.  Certainly this was an excellent result when put in the context of Sutton’s league position, their strong home record, and miserly defence.

SUTTON UNITED: Jason Brown, Louis John, Will Spetch, Dammy Shitta (Gavin McCallum 46), Simon Downer, Charlie Clough, Dean Sinclair (Damian Scannell 59), Michael Spillane, Craig Dundas, Jamie Taylor, Lee Sawyer (Kane Haysman 59). Subs not used: Jamie Slabber, Tom Lovelock.
BATH CITY: Jason Mellor, Sekani Simpson, Dan Ball, Andy Gallinagh (Dan Bowman 23), Phil Walsh, Ben Adelsbury, Ross Stearn (Noah Keats 68), Chris Allen, Josh Low (Adam Connolly 79), Andy Watkins, Dave Pratt. Subs not used: Joe Burnell, Scott Wilson.
REFEREE: Steven Plane (Pershore).
ATT.    554

 Just to let you know we play at Gander GREEN Lane and not Gander GOOSE Lane, what were you thinking  

SUFCtv wrote: Just to let you know we play at Gander GREEN Lane and not Gander GOOSE Lane, what were you thinking  

Kevin was probably thinking of this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFT4ZsvczJA - for his children's bedtime story...   

Disappointing we couldnt hold on after a terrific touch and finish by Pratt for the second so close to the end. My goodness he is a tireless worker that one. After resisting their opening onslaught I thought we came back into it strongly towards half time, forced a number of corners and deservedly took the lead. Expecting a Sutton response I was surprised they offered so little. The strong wind saw many balls sail out into touch and made the game more scrappy and stop start which suited City. We could perhaps have put it out of reach when Allen hit the bar and the normally sure footed Watkins couldnt knock the rebound in. A number of free kicks conceded around the box increased the pressure on City and it was perhaps inevitable that our brittleness in those situations would undo us. Unfortunate slip by Bowman for the 2nd equaliser.

Thought it was generally a good all round performance. Shame we couldnt get Stearn away several times in the 1st half when he was in plenty of space. Walsh looked commanding, Watkins his usual busy self though perhaps not as influential, was rarely able to run at the defence, guilty of a couple of wrong choices close to goal. Given Sutton's position and unbeaten run, performing well and getting a result is a measure of what we need to achieve to get back to the Prem - making good progress, but still a bit to do.

Beau Nash wrote:

SUFCtv wrote: Just to let you know we play at Gander GREEN Lane and not Gander GOOSE Lane, what were you thinking    Oops.  Sorry!  Unfortunate slip of the finger!! Now corrected. 

Kevin was probably thinking of this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFT4ZsvczJA - for his children's bedtime story...    

A bit late for that on the basis that my 'children' are now 26 & 22.  Perhaps my grandson would appreciate it though.