10.30am 1 March 2025
EFL Youth Alliance, South Division
Sutton United U18 2 Northampton Town U18 4 (att 45)
Remarkably I failed to see a single EFL Youth Alliance game last season, but with a few grounds still left to complete the full set I made the effort to get to Sutton's academy venue.
They play most home games at Cheam Sports Club, which has decent facilities and is close to the club's first team stadium at Gander Green Lane.
This fixture was on 'pitch one', directly in front of a two-storey building that includes a clubhouse and changing rooms. A first floor covered balcony provides an elevated view and, at pitch level, there are wooden shelters filled with chairs and tables.
One curious feature of the ground is a small open terrace in a corner of the pitch. A plaque says it was relocated there from Gander Green Lane.
Sutton had the better of the first half. They took a deserved lead and will have been frustrated to allow Northampton to equalise soon after. The visitors' keeper made several good saves to keep his team in the game.
The second period belonged to Northampton. They went ahead in the opening minute, and seven minutes later a penalty for a trip in the box put them 3-1 up.
A fourth goal moved them out of sight. Sutton had some hope when they pulled a goal back, but a fifth for Northampton completed the scoring. In stoppage time the visitors had a player sent off for a second booking, but by then the contest was settled.
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