SUTTON START TO FEEL COLD AFTER BOMBING AT LANCASTER
LANCASTER CITY ended a run of six games without a win as they overcame bottom-of-the-table Sutton Coldfield.
Sutton Coldfield arrived at Giant Axe desperately needing the points as they attempt to catch Halesowen in a bid to avoid the one relegation spot from the Evo-Stik Premier Division. And, despite going two goals behind, they made a brave effort to retrieve the situation.
On a blustery day, neither side created much in the opening stages with the first real opportunities falling to Lancaster midway through the first half when Billy Akrigg fired a shot straight at Matt Coton, and then Connor Simpson headed a Sam Bailey free-kick wide of goal.
The deadlock was broken after 33 minutes when a long Bailey throw into the Sutton Coldfield penalty area was partially cleared. Craig Carney hooked the ball towards goal and it looped over keeper Coton and nestled in the back of the net.
Tom Kilifin missed a chance to add to the lead a couple of minutes before half-time when a good break by Paul Dugdale set him up, but his shot went wide of goal.
Lancaster did double their advantage in the last minute of the half when another cross from Dugdale found Bailey with the time and space to place a header past Coton.
Sutton Coldfield almost reduced the deficit four minutes into the second half when a good ball into the penalty area saw Karl Hawley and Josh Green both have shots blocked.
Good work by Bailey set up a chance for substitute Charlie Bailey midway through the half but he placed his shot wide of goal.
Sutton Coldfield were creating more opportunities and substitute Niall Flint had a chance to get them back into the game after 71 minutes but fired wide from a good position.
Steve Williams and Charlie Bailey missed further opportunities to add to Lancaster’s lead before Sutton gave themselves a lifeline by reducing the deficit with five minutes remaining.
Lancaster goalkeeper Elliot Wynne had made a superb save to deny Justin Richards, but there was little he could do to keep out substitute Lee Smith’s shot from the resulting corner.
This gave Sutton Coldfield hope of getting something from the game but, despite one or two anxious moments, Lancaster were able to play out time and secure the points.
The result leaves Sutton Coldfield rooted at the bottom of the table and with Halesowen taking three points against Stourbridge, hopes of catching them are rapidly diminishing.