Sutton prove partypoopers in first home game of Hatters’ Rusk reign
COUNTY ............................ 0 SUTTON UNITED ............. 2 SAM BYRNE
COUNTY fell to a feisty 0-2 defeat to high-flying Sutton Utd at Edgeley Park, in new manager Simon Rusk’s first home game in charge of The Hatters.
John Rooney went closest to opening the scoring in the battle of second vs third in the National League at a wet Edgeley Park, as the Hatters’ leading marksman met Mark Kitching’s pullback inside the box and slotted inches wide of the near post.
The visitors took the lead on the half-hour in bizarre circumstances however; captain Liam Hogan fizzed a pass back to goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe, only to see the ball roll underneath the Hatters stopper and roll inside the near post on a sticky surface following torrential weather throughout the week.
County toiled away looking for a leveller but met solid Sutton resistance until a second half which saw the tie explode into life.
Hogan was adjudged to have brought down striker Isaac Olaofe on the Sutton counter inside the box, with the skipper then shown a straight red despite a clear attempt on the ball – with the red card was subsequently overturned by the FA later in the week.
Hinchliffe saved Harry Beautyman’s penalty, but with The Hatters down to ten, Olaofe fired low past the County stopper shortly after to double the lead and secure the three points for the visitors, who leapfrogged The Hatters into second spot on the evening.
STOCKPORT County confirmed the signing of midfielder Will Collar on a free transfer from Hamilton Academical, subject to international clearance.
Defensive midfielder Will, 24, has signed a contract with the Club until the end of the current season, becoming Simon Rusk’s first signing as County manager.
Collar has previously spent time working under Simon during his time in the Brighton & Hove Albion academy where he had played since the age of ten, rising through the ranks and making his full debut for the Premier League side in 2018, starting in an EFL Cup tie with Southampton.
In the Summer of 2019, he left Brighton to sign for SPL side Hamilton, making 19 appearances in his first season at New Douglas Park, helping the side retain their place in the division – his first goal for the club coming in a crucial 2-1 victory over relegation rivals Hearts.
Will has made a further six appearances for the side this season, before terminating his contract earlier this week, with the club moving quickly to bring him to Edgeley Park.
County Manager Simon Rusk said: “I’m pleased to be able to welcome Will to the football club.
“He’s someone I know well from my time at Brighton, and who will complement the squad well going forward for the rest of the season.
“Will has good recent pedigree from his time in the Scottish Premier League, and will provide composure and versatility in what is now a very competitive midfield.
“To have good competition throughout the squad is crucial, as we enter an intense period of the season over the next few weeks and months.”