U’S AMONGST THE GOALS AGAIN
Milsom 7, Wilson 31, 64, Sho-Silva 55
TiITLE favourites Sutton United made an emphatic return to winning ways with this four-goal thumping at Altrincham.
Matt Gray’s U’s looked every bit a Football League side in waiting as they rallied to a first win in five matches at the expense of the shell-shocked Robins.
Donovan Wilson led the rout with a double, with leftback Rob Milsom and Tobi Sho-Silva also on the scoresheet.
No goals in their previous three had led to somewhat of a stutter for the U’s men, so no wonder Gray was a happy man afterwards.
“I’m really pleased,” the U’s boss beamed. “That is a great response from the disappointment of recent weeks. Our work rate and energy were great, and our threats going forward were clear to see.
“People say we’ve had a blip with no goals in three, but we’re top scorers in the league, and as we showed today, I have no concerns in the final third.”
Already aware that title rivals Hartlepool had smashed seven at Wealdstone, Sutton attacked from the off and it was no surprise when they went in front inside seven minutes.
Sean Williams gave away a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area and Milsom struck a peach of a shot into the top right corner.
The U’s continued their relentless pressure and doubled their lead on 31 minutes when Wilson was allowed far too much space on the edge of the area, and with no one closing him down, he picked his spot with a low effort in the bottom corner.
After the break, it was more of the same from the Surrey side with Sho-Silva firing wide straight from the kick-off.
But the frontman didn’t have to wait long for his goal as eight minutes later Louis John squared for him to turn on the penalty spot and hit a powerful effort past Thompson.
The difference in class between the sides was all too evident and was emphasised again on the hour mark when Thompson hit a short goal-kick straight to Wilson on the edge of the area, who dutifully slotted into the empty net.
The U’s declared at four – much to the relief of the Alty backline and Robins assistant manager Neil Sorvel, who was also quick to praise the Surrey side and their goal-scoring performance on the road.
“They ran all over us, we were well second best,” he admitted. “I’m disappointed with the goals we conceded, but give them their dues, they dominated.
“We expected the gulf to be big [since promotion to the National League], but this was the first time we’ve really seen it.
“I don’t know if it was us playing poorly or them playing well but the difference in quality was evident.”