On Friday 18 March at Meadowbank Stadium, Sutton United battled to secure the U16 Youth County Cup against Sheerwater Football Club. 

Sheerwater started the game strong, attacking the Sutton defence and forcing a corner kick through the efforts of Titus Lisk. Shortly after, the same player was found to be narrowly offside in another opportunity for the Blues.

Sutton found themselves coming into the game and had an early opportunity through Alex Rihoy, but the shot was collected well by Sheerwater goalkeeper Ollie Davies. 

Sheerwater saw a golden opportunity fall to Seif Al Massri who was unable to convert instead hitting the crossbar, before working back to defend a chance for Sutton down the other end as Davies saved well again. 

Another opportunity for Sheerwater came when Titus Lisk found himself 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper, before being halted by a fantastic last ditch slide tackle from Kieron Lambert for Sutton. 

As the half progressed, a yellow card was issued to Sheerwater player Ryan Beavis for a dangerous challenge on Sutton’s Alex Rihoy, before a chance for Sutton, as Sam Folarin hit the post after firing across the box. 

The breakthrough for Sutton United came just before half time, as a saved shot was parried into the path of Alex Rihoy who poked the ball into the net to make it 1-0 going into the interval.

They doubled their lead in the start of the second half through Javaune Thompson, who went on to bag a brace after putting the ball in the Sheerwater net following a whipped ball across the box, giving Sutton a 3-0 lead and Sheerwater a mountain to climb to get back in the tie. 

Despite their efforts, Sheerwater found themselves further behind when Alfie Connolly showed terrific pace down the flank to get into the box and lace a shot directly into the top left of the net, to make it 4-0 Sutton. 

Sheerwater later had a chance to pull one back when, on the counter attack, Harry Newbould played in Alfie Burton who snatched at the shot, firing wide of the post. However, the consolation goal did come for Sheerwater when on the 75th minute, Lucas Lindstrup finished from close range. 

Shortly after, Sheerwater had another chance through Harry Newbould, who’s driven shot was headed for the top right corner before an equally good save from Sutton goalkeeper, Leo Buddle. 

As full time approached, an unfortunate incident between both sets of players erupted on the pitch, which saw Sutton’s Leo Buddle shown a straight red card and left Sutton United down to 10 as they saw out the game as 4-1 winners and secured the Cup.