Sutton's Road To Tuesday's National League Cup Final

The south west Londoners contest the first ever National League Cup final, welcoming Leeds United’s impressive academy side - and they are determined to give them a game!

Sutton clinched their place in the final last month with some excellent displays along the way against some up-and-coming talent - as well as a familiar foe!

The National League Cup, which began in October, also offers an opportunity for National League clubs to play regular matches against the best Under-21 teams in England at their own stadiums, with this additional exposure intended to improve the playing and spectating experience, as well as the clubs’ growth and sustainability.

Let's take a closer look at their journey to the final.

Sutton United 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur U21

The Us started by firing a warning to the rest of Group C.

Sutton got the ball rolling with an emphatic win over Tottenham Hotspur’s academy team at Gander Green Lane.

Lewis Simper struck early to get them up and running, before Shuan Williams and Harry Ransom then put the game to bed, scoring in the second half to ensure the victory.

Sutton United 0-2 West Ham U21

Sutton’s second group stage game ended in defeat to West Ham's U21’s - but it was to be their last in the cup, before clinching their final place.

The Hammers’ Joshua Ajala opened the scoring in the first half before Junior Robinson would score late to put the game to bed.

Robinson impressed - he would then join Sutton United two months later, and could possibly win the competition with the club in the same season he scored against them!

Sutton United 2-2 West Brom U21 (3-1 on pens)

Sutton’s third game in the competition ended in a draw, but they grabbed an extra point when they went on to win on penalties.

West Brom opened the scoring with Souleyman Mandley 13 minutes into the game, before the U’s responded with two goals in six minutes - also missing a penalty in that time.

The visitors’ equalised in the second half, sending the game to penalties, and this is when Nana Boateng made up for his previous missed penalty by scoring the winner after Albion missed three of their own in the shootout.

Sutton United 3-2 Nottingham Forest U21

Sutton’s last group match was against Nottingham Forest, a must win game if they wanted to qualify for the knockouts. There were nerves, but they got the job done.

They started the game brilliantly, scoring two within the first 20 minutes, before Forest knocked them back just before half-time.

Nana Boateng scored in the 79th minute ensuring the win before Kyle McAdam scored a late consolation, but it wasn't enough as Sutton won and qualified having finished second in the group.

Sutton United 3-0 Manchester United U21

Manchester United are world famous for their academy but the kids had no answer earlier this year.

Sutton took the game by the scruff of the neck and showed no mercy. Finley Barbrook scored mid-way through the first-half to give the U’s the advantage.

Sutton were soon 3-0 up after goals from Nana Boateng and Jack Wadmann to confirm a semi-final spot.

Sutton United 0-0 Braintree Town (5-4 on pens)

In the semi-final Sutton faced off against their first non academy side and a team they were very familiar with, Braintree.

The U’s had played them twice already this season, beating and drawing against them.

After a tight match things would be decided by a penalty shootout, in which eight penalties were scored in a row before five were then missed in a row leaving the deciding kick to Eduino Vaz who converted sending the U’s to the final.

PHOTO PAUL LOUGHLIN
WORDS: GEORGE BUSBY