WRIGHT’S BOLT FROM BLUE STUN THE HAWKS

EXPERIENCE won the day as Sutton turned this game around in the second half to gain a deserved win at Westleigh Park.

Goals from Tommy Wright and Harry Beautyman were the difference after Nicke Kabamba had given Havant the lead.

U’s boss Paul Doswell told The NLP: “In an average game on a good surface I felt we fully deserved the win. Our midfield ran the show and I felt we were unlucky to go in down at half time.

“In the second half we controlled the game scoring two well-worked goals. At the end, we had to hang on as Havant went long ball and had a go but I never thought we were serious in trouble”.

Opposing manager Lee Bradbury said: “Once again I am disappointed. It was a great goal by Nicke but we couldn’t hold on. Sutton showed their greater experience. I am convinced that if we carry on giving the effort we do that hopefully at some stage the time will turn.”

Sutton started the brighter with Beautyman firing a long-range effort over the bar, although Charlie Clough had to be alert to head a dangerous Havant free-kick from the right for a corner.

Havant were then forced to scramble an effort clear off the line following great work by Craig Eastmond, while a superb ball fizzed across the face of goal by Wright to safety.

But on 32 minutes, it was Havant who broke the deadlock against the run of play. Ibra Sekajja attempted an overhead kick that fell to Kabamba and his half-volley looped over Jamie Butler into the top corner. Before the break, Clough and Aaron Cosgrave clashed on the right and collided with the referees’ assistant, who needed treatment and was replaced at the interval. Sutton had the upper hand after the break and again Beautyman whipped in a superb cross that failed to find an attacker. Eastmond shot from distance but it was well saved by Young. That said, the Sutton goal came out of the blue. Wright collected the ball just outside the box, spun full back Rory Williams and fired into the bottom corner of Young’s net. By now Sutton were in pursuit of a winner. Josh Taylor burst down the left, his fierce cross was put back into the mix by Aswad Thomas and Beautyman had a header saved. The winner did come, however, 13 minutes from the end – Jonah Ayunga again bursting down the right and his centre was met superbly by Beautyman to score. Havant went for broke in search of an equaliser and they came close in injury time when Butler was forced to produce a top save from Paul Robinson.

STAR MAN: Craig Eastmond (Sutton) ATT: 1,273 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Sam Allison 6/10