U’S HARRY IS A BEAUTY ON BEAST OF A PITCH

EBBSFLEET UNITED remain seven points from safety after a proverbial game of two halves against Sutton.

The Fleet dominated the first half at Stonebridge Road and deservedly led through Marvel Ekpiteta’s early header.

But Sutton responded after the break with talisman Harry Beautyman nodding in an equaliser to ensure a share of the spoils.

The heavy pitch and a strong wind did not help matters for either side and quality was low at times – mainly due to the conditions as players from both sides often struggled to keep their footing.

“The pitch is not helping things and that’s the same for both teams,” conceded Ebbsfleet manager Kevin Watson.

“We have to play in a way which I don’t particularly want to.

“We played the conditions really well in the first half and it spun in the second half when Sutton did, so a draw was probably a fair result.”

On-loan Bromley midfielder Adam Mekki – who was outstanding in the first half - provided the assist for Fleet’s seventh-minute opener, his free-kick met by Ekpiteta with Sutton keeper Nik Tzanev caught in two minds.

Ekpiteta had another effort diverted wide for a corner while the visitors were struggling to come to terms with Ebbsfleet’s more direct approach.

The physical presence of Josh Umerah and Gozie Ugwu created problems for Sutton, although they did threaten an equaliser when Beautyman’s longrange short had to be gathered at the second attempt by Ebbsfleet keeper David Gregory.

David Ajiboye, a menace down the right for Sutton, went close when his nearpost effort was well saved by Gregory after a corner was only half-cleared.

Umerah created space for himself and sent a dipping 20-yard shot just over the bar for Ebbsfleet, who deservedly led at the break.

But Sutton have only lost once since late November and they ensured that record remained intact with a much-improved display.

Beautyman, Sutton’s leading scorer, arrived late into the box to head in Ajiboye’s delightful right-wing cross five minutes after the break. It was Sutton’s first goal since their New Year’s Day thrashing of Woking.

Fleet defender Ayo Obileye twice went close to regaining the lead for the hosts but it was Sutton who nearly snatched the points nine minutes from time.

The ever-willing Beautyman found England C striker Tommy Wright in behind the Fleet defence, and with Ekpiteta unable to keep his feet on the surface, he slotted the ball past Gregory only for Jamie Grimes to get back in time and clear it off the line.