SUTTON UNITED 2 ALDERSHOT TOWN 1
SUTTON picked up their third win of the week thanks to a quickfire start that saw them go two goals up in the first six minutes.
Goals from Harry Beautyman and Brett Williams ultimately proved too much for Aldershot and not even a fortuitous goal back from Reece Grant could prevent their winless run stretching to nine games.
Just four minutes had gone when the U’s struck. Alex Finney’s header back failed to reach goalkeeper Jake Cole and Beautyman stole in to touch the ball into the net.
Two minutes later, former Shots striker Williams opened his account for Sutton after his loan move from Torquay, firing a crisp low shot past Cole after Jamie Collins had headed back a free kick.
A third goal at that stage would have probably killed the game off but it was Aldershot who fought back with Grant’s shot taking a heavy deflection off Dale Bennett to loop over the helpless Jamie Butler into the net.
Sutton should have extended their lead early in the second half when Williams and Gime Toure missed from close range – Williams failing to connect with his shot and Toure scooping the loose ball over the bar from six yards out.
At the other end, the lively Grant broke clear on the right but was unable to get his shot on target as it went wide of the near post.
Sutton’s defence, however, was solid and the only glimmer of an opportunity for Aldershot late on came with Matt McClure’s header that looped harmlessly wide.
Late on substitute Brandon Thomas Asante broke clear on the left but fired his shot wide and Josh Taylor had a shot blocked from close range.
Sutton boss Paul Doswell beamed: “Considering both sides had played three times in seven days I thought they put on an excellent show for the spectators.
“We knew we wanted to put Aldershot under early pressure and that worked brilliantly and I don’t remember Jamie Butler having a save to make in the second half. So it’s an excellent three points.”
Meanwhile, Shots boss Gary Waddock was left to rue his side’s poor start to the game, adding: “We applied ourselves really well but you can’t afford to make a poor start like that.”