FC Halifax Town were defeated 2-0 away at Sutton United thanks to first half goals from Junior Eccleston and Brandon Njoku.
Town boss Adam Lakeland brought Dylan Crowe, Jamie Cooke and Cody Johnson into the side
David Ogbonna looked to force the first chance of the game, as his neat through ball found Jayden Harris. He took a nice touch before stinging the palms of Johnson, who parried it out for a corner.
The opening moments of the game were not thrilling by any means, but it was Sutton who looked the more threatening of the two sides. This was evidenced halfway through the first half when the U’s took the lead. A ball sent down the left by Jack Taylor sent Ogbonna running; he drove towards the byline before delivering an inviting cross to the far post, where Junior Eccleston drifted ahead of Angelo Cappello to steer the ball home. The finish not only gave Sutton the lead but also marked Eccleston’s first goal of the campaign.
It was not long before Sutton had their second, Lewis Simper played the ball into the feet of Kai Jennings, who displayed some excellent footwork before clipping the ball into the path of Brandon Njoku. Despite his scuffed effort, the ball bounced over Sam Johnson and into the net.
Jack Jenkins picked up the game’s first card before Crowe saw the end of his match, as he was forced off through injury. Owen Bray also made way as both Adam Adetoro and Max Wright entered the field.
Almost immediately after his introduction, Wright picked up a yellow, much to his disbelief, this being the last notable action of the half.
Town came out in the second half looking livelier. A series of blocked shots within the Sutton area culminated with Cooke picking up the ball; his low drive was well stopped by Tommy Reid.
The Shaymen had a chance to get a foothold back in the game after they were given a penalty. Hobson’s lofted pass was latched onto by Jamie Cooke, who was pulled back by Edan Pruti. Hobson was then given the opportunity to convert, but his penalty was well saved to the keeper’s right. Moments later, Sam Johnson made a big stop from close range to keep it to two.
Lakeland made three more changes with Will Harris, AJ Warburton and Will Smith on for Jack Kenkins, Jevon Mills and Jamie Cooke as he looked to get his team back into the game.
With just over five minutes of normal injury time, Owen Devonport had time and lobbed his effort wide of the target.
Four minutes of injury time were signalled by the officials, but Town were unable to find a way past the Sutton defence making it four games in a row without a goal.
The Shaymen are back in action next Saturday when they will entertain Solihull Moors at the Shay, 3pm kick-off
Match Stats
Sutton United
27 Tommy Reid, 8 Lewis Simper, 14 Edon Pruti ©, 16 Jack Taylor (17 Aaron Jones 63) 18 David Ogbonna, 23 Jayden Harris, 25 Jake Taylor. 26 Junior Eccleston, 28 Kai Jennings, 34 Brandon Njoku (29 Osman Foyo 58), 42 Hayden Muller (27 Charlie Bell 84)
Subs: 21 David Aziaya, 15 Will Tizzard, 19 Kane Crichlow, 33 Mehmet Halim
FC Halifax Town
1 Sam Johnson, 4 Will Hugill, 5 Shaun Hobson, 10 Jamie Cooke (15 Will Smith 77), 11 Angelo Cappello, 16 Jevon Mills (19 AJ Warburton 78), 17 Owen Bray (7 Max Wright 44), 20 Jack Jenkins (9 Will Harris 68), 23 Dylan Crowe (3 Adam Adetoro 44), 30 Cody Johnson, 31 Owen Devonport
Subs: 12 Nat Ford, 29 Sean Tarima
Referee Carl Brook
Goals: Eccleston 22, Njoku 34
Yellow Cards: Jenkins 38, Wright 45 + 2, Pruti 59, Foho 65, Jennings 71, Eccleston 84
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 2381 (101 away)
Sutton United 2 FC Halifax Town 0
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