Both sides had to settle for a point in their respective quests for the playoffs despite FC Halifax Town dominating much of the second half.
The Town made just one change from their last league outing, which was against Southend United, with Andrew Oluwabori replacing Adan George.
Sutton United made a fast start to the affair with the lively Ashley Nadesan firing wide after a clever run into the Town penalty area. A lot of joy was had from the U’s in the early stages down the left flank with Besart Toppolaj occupying some good areas.
Town’s first purposeful attack started with Adam Senior in the middle of the park, his ball into Jack Evans gave the 24-year-old the chance to turn and play the ball into the path of Angelo Cappello, whose powerful strike was high of the away side’s goal.
Lewis Simper had the game’s next effort as his curling strike from the edge of the area was parried into a dangerous area by Sam Johnson, but Adam Senior was there to clear the danger. Andrew Oluwabori then found some joy down the right where he flashed a few dangerous balls across the face of the box but there was no breakthrough before the half-time whistle.
Jack Evans was the first man of the evening to go into the book following a challenge in the middle of the park. After this Chris Millington made his first change of the evening as Tom Pugh replaced Billy Waters.
Cappello’s teasing cross was the first glimmer of any real opportunity in the opening stages of the second period, Substitute Tom Pugh met the cross but his effort from 8 yards did not find the target. Following this the Town had a sustained period of pressure for the first time in the game, in this time Adam Senior and Andrew Oluwabori both had efforts from range, but both were comfortable for goalkeeper Jack Sims.
Angelo Cappello showed some magnificent footwork on the left wing as he beat two Sutton players before firing the ball across the face of the goal, the ball was cleared to the edge of the area where Senior took aim, but his effort was brilliantly blocked by Toppolaj.
Max Wright then replaced Jack Jenkins in Town’s second change of the night whilst the away side also introduced fresh legs in the form of Nana Boateng and Jeremy Sivi. Immediately after being introduced Wright was in the thick of the action as he collided with keeper Sims and picked up a booking as a result.
Town won a free kick in a dangerous position following a potent counter attack with 15 minutes to go, Florent Hoti went close to opening the scoring with the resulting effort. Ryan Galvin then made a return following his injury as he replaced Cappello.
The game looked certain to end goalless heading into the final five minutes, Halifax did probe however, particularly through Ryan Galvin as his fresh legs helped to push the Shaymen forward.
Four additional minutes were added at the end of the ninety, Sutton did have two late corners however both were dealt with well by Halifax and the points were shared in Yorkshire.
Match Stats
FC Halifax Town
1 Sam Johnson ©, 5 Adam Senior, 2 Jo Cummings, 15 Will Smith, 11 Angelo Cappello (3 Ryan Galvin 78), 6 Jack Evans, 20 Jack Jenkins (7 Max Wright 71), 18 Florent Hoti, 22 Andrew Oluwabori, 29 Billy Waters (23 Tom Pugh 53), 10 Jamie Cooke
Subs: 12 Nathaniel Ford, 3 Ryan Galvin, 21 Zak Emmerson, 26 Owen Bray, 27 Adam Adetoro
Sutton United
1 Jack Sims, 4 Tyler French ©, 15 Hayden Muller, 18 Charlie Waller, 22 Ryan Jackson (19 Jeremy Sivi 74, 6 Siju Odelusi, 14 Finley Barbrook 33 Besart Topallaj, 20 Jack Wadham, 8 Lewis Simper, (17 Nana Boateng 71) 24 Ashley Nadesan
Subs: 29 Sam Roberts, 3 Chinwike Okoli, 5 Harry Ransom, 11 Dillon De Silva, 12 Eduino Vaz
Referee: James Bancroft
Goals: None
Yellow Cards: Evans 65, Wright 75, Odelusi 77, Topallaj 90
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 1006 (30 away)
FC Halifax Town 0 Sutton United 0
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