The Shaymen and Sutton United played out a dramatic 1-1 draw at The Shay Stadium, with both sides leaving it late to find the back of the net. Sutton picked up their first draw of the season after a late equaliser cancelled out Town’s stoppage-time opener.
Sutton got the game started at The Shay Stadium with a long ball towards the Shaymen’s goal, but the ball went out for a Town throw-in.
After five minutes, Town looked to be the team in control as they found their way into the game and caused The U’s some problems at the back.
The game was paused shortly after five minutes after Ben Tollitt took an accidental fist to the face. However, he was back on the pitch after spending a minute on the sideline.
After 15 minutes, the game had settled down with both sides trying to find their feet and make the first impact. Sutton had the first couple of shots on target, while Town continued to look for an opening.
The Shaymen came close to taking the lead in the 23rd minute after a battle on the right-hand side saw Dylan Crowe manage to keep the ball in play. He sent a cross into the box which met the head of Ben Tollitt, but his effort was well saved by The U’s goalkeeper Spike Brits.
Crowe received a yellow card in the 26th minute after pulling Charlie Carter to the floor. The resulting free kick was in a promising position, but Sutton’s Joe Knight fired straight over the bar.
The game was paused again after Sutton captain Jake Taylor attempted an acrobatic pass before landing awkwardly. The midfielder spent a minute on the sideline before returning to the action.
Cody Johnson became the second player to be booked in the 33rd minute after pushing Charlie Carter to the floor. The resulting free kick was in a decent position, but True Grant made a good save to tip the ball over the bar.
Sutton began to take control with 10 minutes remaining before half-time, attacking Town with a flurry of corners. However, The Shaymen defended well and kept The U’s at bay.
Town had another chance to take the lead after another sharp ball was played into the box by Crowe. Both Ben Tollitt and Amari Morgan-Smith were waiting, but neither forward could take advantage of the opportunity.
Sutton came close through Temi Babalola after the forward received a well-timed through ball, but Shaun Hobson stood strong and prevented The U’s from taking the lead.
Town received their first corner in the 45th minute, but the opportunity came to nothing.
The Shaymen could have taken the lead in the 45+4th minute after a scramble in the box. Hobson tried to put the ball into the back of the net, but he mistimed his effort.
The ball found Will Hugill, whose effort was saved.
Sutton’s Ben Brookes became the third player to receive a yellow card in the 45+5th minute after a foul on Connor Douglas.
The Shaymen made one change before the second half, with AJ Warburton replacing Crowe.
Town started the second half looking to break through The U’s defence but struggled to find a way through.
Sutton made a change in the 48th minute, with Ben Brookes replaced by Besart Topalloj.
The Shaymen made another change in the 55th minute, with Deniche Hill making way for Tristan Gill, who made his debut for Town.
Town continued to search for the opener but could not find the final touch needed to beat Brits.
Sutton made another substitution in the 60th minute, with Brandon Njoku making way for David Ogbonna.
The second half became more evenly contested, with neither side able to break the deadlock as both defences remained strong.
Town brought on Zak Gilsenan in the 73rd minute, replacing Will Hugill.
Sutton brought on Charlie Bell for Joe Knight in the 76th minute.
The Shaymen had another chance to take the lead in the 79th minute after a wonderful run from Ben Tollitt. He skipped past two players before laying the ball off for Tayt Trusty, but the midfielder could not get enough power behind his effort.
Trusty received a yellow card in the 86th minute after pulling the shirt of Temi Babalola.
Connor Douglas then went into the book in the 87th minute after a late challenge.
The Shaymen finally got their goal in the 90+4th minute. Gilsenan sent a free kick into The U’s box which met the head of Max Bardell. His effort hit Sutton’s Will Nightingale before finding its way into the back of the net.
However, Town’s celebrations were short-lived. Just a minute later, Sutton put immense pressure on The Shaymen and managed to get the ball into the box towards Charlie Carter at the back post. Carter headed the ball across goal, allowing David Ogbonna to place it past True Grant and level the game.
The late goals saw both sides share the points at The Shay, with Town coming within moments of securing all three points. Sutton recorded their first draw of the season after battling back in stoppage time to leave the game level at 1-1.
FC Halifax Town
33 True Grant, 23 Dylan Crowe (19 AJ Warburton 46), 2 Max Bardell, 5 Shaun Hobson, 16 Deniche Hill (25 Tristan Gill 56), 30 Cody Johnson, 20 Tayt Trusty, 11 Connor Douglas, 4 Will Hugill (10 Zak Gilsenan 73), 17 Ben Tollitt, 14 Amari Morgan-Smith
Subs: 1 Sam Johnson, 21 Theo Wainman, 27 Cruz Allen
Sutton United
1 Spike Brits, 4 Alex Kirk, 5 Will Nightingale, 7 Emmanuel Osadebe, 8 Jake Taylor ©, 9 Temi Babalola, 10 Charlie Carter, 12 Dan Urpens, 16 Brandon Njoku (18 David Ogbonna 59), 19 Joe Knight (6 Charlie Bell 76), 27 Ben Brookes (3 Besart Topalloj 49)
Subs: 13 Chris Haigh , 17 Toby Byron, 20 Jermaine Francis, 26 Bobby Amartey
Referee: Declan Brown
Goals: Nightingale (og) 90 +4, Ogbonna 90 +5
Yellow Cards: Crowe 26, C Johnson 34, Brookes 45+6, Trusty 86, Douglas 88
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 1344 (87 away)
FC Halifax Town 1 Sutton United 1
Read more posts by Charlie Wood
