Ex-Black Cat’s big role as Sutton KO Leeds
Former Sunderland reserve Roarie Deacon played a major role as non-league Sutton United sent Leeds crashing out of the FA Cup yesterday.
Deacon, who spent 18 months with the Black Cats before leaving four years ago this month, had a goal harshly disallowed after five minutes and the winger, whose five goals had fired Sutton this far, continued to torment the Championship side.
Sutton got the breakthrough they deserved six minutes into the second half, thanks to some shambolic Leeds defending.
Goalkeeper Marco Silvestri came out to meet Maxime Biamou but only collided with team-mate Lewie Coyle, taking the Sutton forward outt.
Collins, a builder by trade, stepped up and nervelessly sent Silvestri the wrong way from the resulting penalty to spark wild celebrations, as Sutton saw out a magnificent victory against a team 83 places above them in the pyramid.
Sutton boss Paul Doswell hailed his part-timers as Leeds manager Garry Monk, clearly concentrating on his promotion push, paid the price for making 10 changes.
It is the first time two nonleague teams have made it to the last 16. “It’s a huge achievement by the players and the club to get to the last 16,” said Doswell. “I can’t praise the players enough. Every time they’ve been asked a question they have responded.
“Lincoln (who beat Brighton on Saturday) were an inspiration for us, and I can almost guarantee that will be the draw! We are due to meet them that weekend anyway.”
Monk, who had captain Liam Cooper sent off late on, said: “It’s a frustrating result and a frustrating performance but it’s my responsibility.
“I made a lot of changes, it didn’t work and it backfired in that sense. All credit to Sutton. We wish them all the best.
“We didn’t want to see this happen, but it has.”