NIGHT OF THE GIANTKILLERS
Sutton KO neighbours to set up Leeds clash
When it comes to the FA Cup they really do write some of the best scripts in the suburban corner where Wimbledon and Sutton rub shoulders. Some of the most magical giantkilling escapades in the history of this famous competition have featured these two clubs — and here was another for the list. non-League Sutton fighting back from a goal down to score three times in the final 15 minutes to sink their League One neighbours.
Paul Doswell’s team from the national League were not ahead in the tie until the final minute of the replay, when Wimbledon, having played with 10 men since the 15th minute, started to fade.
Max Biamou put the visitors ahead, substitute Dan Fitchett added a third, deep in stoppage time, to spark pandemonium among the 900 travelling fans.
‘everyone back to the bar,’ yelled boss Doswell. ‘I didn’t dare dream about it, otherwise it wouldn’t have happened. It’s an emotional night and a fantastic achievement for these non-League lads.’
Sutton are heading for a fourth-round tie at home against Leeds of the Championship, on Sunday week.
It is a rematch of a clash at the same stage in 1970 when Don Revie’s team won 6-0, when Allan Clarke scored four and they had to borrow benches from The Oval to squeeze in extra fans around the pitch at Gander Green Lane.
Besides the romance of Leeds again, Sutton will appear live on BT Sport, which comes with a windfall of £144,000 that will ease the bitterness at being overlooked by the TV companies at this stage.
Wimbledon return to League One and wonder what might have been. They too have history with Leeds and, when Tom elliott headed them into the lead in the 10th minute from a free-kick taken by Dean Parrett, Wimbledon thought they were about to set up a rematch of their classic tie from 1975. elliott was born in Leeds and came through the youth ranks at elland Road before starting a meandering journey which led him to southwest London.
It was also the perfect nerve-settler for a home crowd, more accustomed to life as the underdog but neil Ardley’s side lost the initiative when experienced centre half Paul Robinson was sent off five minutes later. Matt Tubbs, a striker who had a prolific spell on loan with the Dons from Bournemouth three years ago, wriggled clear of Robinson about 25 yards from goal, felt the slightest tug on his arm and toppled over without hesitation.
Wimbledon claimed it was not a clear goalscoring opportunity but referee Christopher Sarginson flashed his red card.
‘It’s a big call to decide there and then that it’s a cast-iron sending-off,’ said Ardley, and it set the scene for a stormy and ill-tempered night when tackles flew and tempers frayed.
Amid the breathless excitement, Sutton sensed their opportunity, but good chances to equalise came and went. Wimbledon’s appeals for a penalty were waved away when Lyle Taylor and Sutton’s Bedsente Gomis clashed and the crowd grew frustrated when decisions didn’t go their way.
Ardley and his coaching staff erupted angrily when a crunching midfield tackle by Craig eastmond on Taylor, right under their noses, in front of the benches, was not judged to be a foul by Sarginson.
even so, Sutton simply refused to be beaten. Roarie Deacon found the equaliser, twisting clear of his marker just outside the penalty box before turning and smashing a fierce drive past James Shea.
With 15 minutes to go they continued to pour forward in search of a winner with Wimbledon tiring.
Fitchett set up Biamou for a simple finish to put Sutton into the lead and it was Fitchett who broke clear in stoppage time and lobbed the ball coolly over Shea to give the scoreline an emphatic gloss and turn up the hype as they prepare to host Leeds on their artificial surface.
everyone back to the bar.