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Davis
Haule at full stretch
against Sutton
(Photo: Stuart Emmerson) |
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| Boro’
slipped out of the FA Trophy
as they did last season, at
the first attempt and in controversial
circumstances.
Last time round at home to
Dorchester Town Boro’
had defender Adam Everitt dismissed
for a second bookable offence
despite the fact that he had
only been booked once. On Saturday
it was the turn of an Assistant
Referee who was the only person
in the ground to spot that the
ball had crossed the line during
a goalmouth scramble in 72nd
minute. He indicated that a
goal had been scored, Referee
Jonathan Bottomer took his advice
and the winning goal was credited
to Danny Bolt who claimed the
vital touch. It was interesting
to note that a goal was not
claimed until after the decision
had been made.
The goal ignited the final
20 minutes of a competitive
encounter which saw 4 bookings
- 3 for Sutton and Adam
Everitt for Boro’ -
and Phil Gridelet dismissed
in the 80th minute when he appeared
to stamp on the combative Scott
Corbett after he had evaded
a crude two-footed challenge
from the same player who was
not even spoken to for this
apparent misdemeanour. The dismissal
spelt the end for Boro’s
challenge in this year’s
Trophy competition.
Boro’ went into the game
with a strange looking line-up
as Edwin Stein’s injury
ravaged squad were without Richard
Goddard, who had sustained a
broken toe during the previous
weekend’s victory over
Kingstonian, and the out of
favour John Lawford.
Boro’, who dominated
much of the game, started slowly
and Keita Karamoko was called
upon to save well low down to
his left from Matt Fowler as
the ball picked up pace off
the wet surface.
Boro’ almost drew first
blood, however, when Robert
Charles intercepted a Ryan Palmer
back pass but home custodian
Andy Pape advanced quickly off
his line to take the ball off
his feet and the opportunity
was gone.
The pace of Robert Charles
was causing much difficulty
for the home defence and within
two minutes he almost created
another goalscoring opportunity
but his cross was intercepted.
Three minutes later it was Charles
again, this time he was able
to get on the end of a fine
ball from Jimmy Aggrey, but
his shot hit the outside of
the post and flew to safety.
It was against the run of play
that Sutton took the lead in
the 34th minute. Daniel Dyer
was unluckily adjudged to have
fouled Matt Fowler and from
the resultant free-kick Scott
Corbett struck an angled shot
that deceived everbody and nestled
in the far corner of the net.
Boro’ started the second
half strongly and Ryan Palmer
and Scott Corbett were cautioned
for fouls on Robert Charles
and Darty Brown respectively.
The pressure eventually told
and following a left wing corner
from substitute Adam Everitt,
who had replaced new signing
Tobi Jinadu on the hour, Pat
Gavin hammered home the equaliser
with a fine left-footed volley.
Boro’ stepped up the
pressure and Pape saved well
from Jimmy Aggrey before Danny
Bolt was able to restore the
home side’s advantage
following the intervention of
the Assistant Referee.
Following the dismissal of
Gridelet, Eddie Stein sent on
Fabio Valenti for Daniel Dyer
but it was all to no avail as
the home side created difficulties
for 10 man Boro’. Mark
Watson in particular should
have made the game safe for
Sutton, but he shot wide of
an open goal.
As the game reached its final
stages Boro’s Adam Everitt
and Sutton’s Matt Gray
were cautioned in separate incidents.
At the final whistle the home
side were understandably jubilant
at their victory and they will
be looking forward to competing
in the 2nd Round at the end
of November. Boro’, however,
will be disappointed that they
weren’t able to turn possession
into goals and they will have
much to think about as they
prepare for their forthcoming
league fixtures at Heybridge
and Canvey Island.
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