9th March 2021

Reben Reid’s first Yeovil goal from open play was not enough for Town to avoid defeat at Gander Green Lane.

After Sutton struck ahead in the first half through Issac Olaofe who cooly slotted beyond Adam Smith, the Glovers put on an improved second half performance, claiming a goal back through Reid’s placed finish.

However, the second half improvement was not enough as Harry Beautyman scored against the Glovers once again to ensure the U’s claimed three points.

Despite defeat on Saturday, changes were kept to a minimum for Town’s trip to the capital.

The back four and goalkeeper remained the same, with A.Smith starting between the sticks and Alex Bradley, Billy Sass-Davies, Max Hunt and Michael Kelly in front of him.

Yeovil’s sole change came in the midfield as Matt Worthington replaced Josh Neufville, Jimmy Smith, Tom Knowles and Albi Skendi also started in the middle.

Rhys Murphy and Reid led the line once again.

The first half was played in a competitive manner, with both sides vying for the advantage.

Sutton United went close to finding it just two minutes in as David Ajiboye had the first effort of the evening, forcing a save from A.Smith on the right channel.

Just two minutes later, Town would go close too. After Skendi battled well on the right flank and played the ball into Worthington’s path, the Glovers midfielder had his driven effort saved.

Skendi was the most dangerous Town player in the opening stages. The towering midfielder drilled the ball across goal, but Reid couldn’t quite get a touch for what would’ve been a certain goal.

As the half progressed, the hosts began to improve, forcing Hunt into a goal line clearance as Beautyman headed on goal.

On 32 minutes, the hosts did strike ahead. Taking advantage of a mishap at the back between Hunt and A.Smith, Olaofe was clean through on goal to slot home the opener.

The goal knocked the stuffing out of the green and whites, with Sutton happy to sit back and see the half out with the lead.

With just a one goal advantage, Sutton were thrust onto the backfoot almost instantly in the second half. Knowles’ free-kick from around 35-yards was the Glovers best chance of the opening exchanges, forced a fingertip save from Bouzanis.

Ten minutes into the half, Darren Sarll’s side found the leveller. After Skendi turned his marker, he found Worthington bursting down the right flank. The Glovers number 7 then drilled the ball across the box for Reid to place the ball home.

With the wind in Town’s sails, chances continued to fall. Skendi was once again the architect as his cross failed find anybody at the back-post after leaving Bouzanis stranded.

However, the momentum shift in Yeovil’s was halted as Worthington came off with an injury in the 68th minute.

Chances did continue to fall for Yeovil, but they were fewer and far between with Worthington’s replacement Josh Neufville finding Reid in the box but the earlier goalscorer got too much under his header as it looped over the bar.

On 82 minutes, the hosts caught the Glovers defence napping as Beautyman once again scored against Town to restore the hosts’ advantage.

In the closing stages, the visiting greens huffed and puffed, but ultimately did little to test Bouzanis as Sutton United climbed to the top of the National League.

Yeovil Town: A.Smith; Bradley, Sass-Davies, Hunt, Kelly; J.Smith, Worthington (Neufville), Knowles (Dagnall), Skendi; Murphy (Quigley), Reid.