Sutton 2
(Milsom, 19′, Randall, 37′)
TUFC 0
There was disappointment in South London for United, as The Gulls slipped to defeat against Sutton United on Saturday.
A first-half double put Sutton firmly in charge, with Rob Milsom and Will Randall the goalscorers, and despite an improved performance in the second period, Torquay were unable to alter the course of the three points.
Gulls’ manager Gary Johnson had the rarity of being able to name an unchanged line-up, following last weekend’s 2-0 home win over Chorley.
The first chance of the game fell the way of the hosts on eight minutes, as Sutton launched a swift counter-attack.
David Ajiboye took the ball forward before feeding Isaac Olaofe, who fired in a powerful effort than Shaun MacDonald did well to parry. Joe Lewis played his part too though, coming up with a vital interception to deny Randall from steering home the loose ball.
After a nip-and-tuck next ten minutes, Sutton took the lead in the 19th minute, following a debatable free-kick decision.
Lewis, who appeared to have been impeded himself, was instead penalised for a free-kick on the edge of the box. Milsom, who had struggled to find his range with a couple of early set-pieces, got it right this time, as he curled his effort into the net to make it 1-0.
Sutton were boosted by the goal, and took charge of the game for the remainder of the half. United’s cause wasn’t helped with the loss of Jackson Longridge just short of the half-hour, with The Gulls’ left-back leaving the field through injury.
A second goal followed eight minutes before the interval, with Harry Beautyman driving at United’s defence, before laying the ball off to Randall who doubled United’s advantage.
Torquay were unable to make any in-roads into that deficit before the break, with the outcome of the game left to rest on their second period showing.
They certainly looked brighter following the restart, with Johnson’s men putting some nice moves together, however Tzanev in the Sutton goal remained relatively untroubled as the match headed towards the hour-mark.
With the chances not forthcoming from The Gulls, their opponents were content soaking up the pressure and striking on the break.
In the 61st minute, the dangerous Isaac Olaofe nearly made it three following one such attack, with MacDonald having to produce a marvellous double-save to keep his side in contention.
With United having no option but to gamble, MacDonald was called into action again eight minutes later, this time from Beautyman.
With the game entering the dying stages, an excellent piece of interplay from substitute Kalvin Lumbombo-Kalala and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans so nearly produced the desired response from Johnson’s side, however after clearing the ball, the action once again shifted, with MacDonald tipping over Omar Bugiel’s volley.
With the final whistle signalling defeat for Johnson’s men, all thoughts now turn to next weekend’s trip to Boreham Wood, where United will look to bounce back at the earliest opportunity.
Sutton United: 13. Nikola Tzanev, 2. Louis John, 4. Jonathan Barden, 9. Omar Bugiel (14. Craig Dundas, 76′), 10. Harry Beautyman (15. Craig Eastmond, 74′), 12. Coby Rowe, 18. Will Randall, 17. David Ajiboye, 22. Ben Wyatt, 24. Rob Milsom, 25. Isaac Olaofe. SUBS NOT USED: 7. Tom Bolarinwa, 21. Callum Kealy, 28. Kyel Reid.
Yellow Card: Rowe (69′)
TUFC: 1. Shaun MacDonald, 4. Kyle Cameron, 6. Joe Lewis, 8. Asa Hall (c) (30. Aaron Nemane, 61′), 9. Ade Azeez (20. Kalvin Lumbombo-Kalala, 61′), 11. Jake Andrews, 17. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, 19. Jamie Reid, 22. Jackson Longridge (2. Ben Wynter, 28′), 25. Robbie Cundy, 34. Ben Whitfield. SUBS NOT USED: 13. Andy Collings, 29. Jared Lewington.
Yellow Card: Cameron (30′)
Attendance: 1,842