14/11/09 - Gills Shield R1
Sutton 3
Barking & Dagenham 2 (Watters, Turner)
IN DREADFUL CONDITIONS, Barking & Dagenham were knocked out of the Kent SFA Gills Shield after a thrilling opening round tie. Despite the poor weather and the lengthy journey, the side twice held the lead and were the better team for the majority of the game. However, luck was not with them and they crashed out at the first hurdle for the second successive season.
Things had started brightly for the visitors as Max Watters went close after showing some excellent control on the edge of the box, but his shot went wide of the post. Frankie Naidoo then stung the palms of the home keeper with a fierce effort.
Sutton, who have had an excellent start to their season, looked shocked at the pace and power of the Barking & Dagenham midfield - Ricky Morris and Jesse Amoh were particularly influential and Naidoo was causing problems to the Sutton full backs.
Sutton showed glimpses of their prowess going forward but they found Daniel John in imperious form at the back. His tackling and reading of the game meant the prolific Sam O’Leary-Blade wasn’t able to create anything for Sutton.
Foothold
Barking & Dagenham went close again as Naidoo skipped past his marker but his shot was well held by the busy Sutton keeper.
Alfie Reynolds then had to quick off his line to deny Joe Norman as Sutton began to get a foothold in the game. The home side went closer to breaking the deadlock moments later but Danny Hicks was unable to direct his header from a well-flighted Norman corner.
The introduction of MJ Folkes and Michael Turner then allowed Barking & Dagenham to get back on top - Folkes with his powerful running, Turner showing a calm head to spread the ball out wide.
With twenty minutes on the clock, Barking & Dagenham went in front and it was no more then they deserved. Amoh won the ball in the middle of the park and Turner then found Watters wide on the left. The Rush Green man showed great skill and determination to shrug off the attentions of three Sutton challenges before firing in from the edge of the area. It was a superbly taken goal and just rewards for the way Barking & Dagenham had taken the game to their hosts.
Fears
The interval came at the wrong time for the visitors as they were well on top and the arrival of heavy rain and a strong wind during the break meant they knew they would be up against in the second period. These fears were confirmed when O’Leary-Blade finally found some space on the right and his wicked cross was bundled home by Samuel Ilic to get Sutton back on level terms.
It was the worse possible start but Barking & Dagenham refused to let their heads drop and quickly went back on the attack. Aaron Molloy almost released Sorba Thomas but he was hounded out by the close attentions of two Sutton defenders.
Amoh then made space for himself, paying a neat one-two with Turner but he dwelt too long on the ball and the chance came to nothing.
The weather then almost handed Sutton the lead. A hopeful ball in the area slipped out of the grasp of Reynolds and fell to Daniel Bannister but Scott Mitchell was on hand to clear the ball off the line.
Brilliance
Barking & Dagenham continued to dominate the game and it took a piece of individual brilliance for them to regain the lead. Folkes showed great determination to win possession but was crudely brought down twenty-five yards from goal. The home side weren’t happy with the decisions but up stepped Michael Turner to smash the ball into the top corner, giving the Sutton keeper no chance.
Barking and Dagenham were overjoyed at the strike but their lead was shorted lived. Folkes clearly won the ball but the referee adjudged there had been a foul and awarded Sutton a free kick in a dangerous position. With the wind behind him, Billy Vezzu hit the ball goal wards and the ball skidded off the wet surface, giving Reynolds no chance. It was a controversial decision but Sutton weren’t concerned.
The visitors continued to probe away but another contentious decision then saw them fall behind for the first time. Another free kick was awarded for a harsh handball and Vezzu’s effort caught the wind and sailed into the top corner.
The goal saw Sutton drop deep, happy to sit back and hit on the break. Barking & Dagenham started to throw bodies forward but the Sutton centre half pairing of Hicks and Banister were equal to everything that was thrown at them.
With time running out, Barking & Dagenham almost grabbed an equaliser. Jayke Welch’s quick thinking saw Watters strike the ball goal wards, it looked destined for the back of the net but somehow Hicks threw his head at the ball and away to safety. That was the last action of the game and the District side had to make the long and wet journey back home wondering how they had ended up losing.
