The Bucks’ FA Cup run is over after an agonising 2-1 defeat in the First Round at Sutton United.
Match highlights
Match report
It was a scrappy start to the game, as both sides slowly felt their way into the game. Sutton’s early threat came from a clutch of set plays, although Josh Gracey was rarely troubled in the opneing exchanges, while Charlie Williams headed over a cross from Ammar Dyer for the Bucks.
Clear cut chances were at a premium, with the first real presentable opportunity coming in the 29th minute. And it was the Bucks who created in. Jordan Cranston’s through ball to Williams was adroitly left by the dimimutive winger, allowing Matty Stenson to pick up the ball and fire a shot toward Tommy Reid’s goal, but the keeper did well to fingertip it around the post for a corner.
Shortly afterwards, Sutton captain Aaron Jones was a touch fortunate to not pick up a second yellow card when he grabbed Khanya Leshabela round the neck. Unterdeterred, Leshabela then tested Reid with a powerful drive, but the keeper was right behind it, before Jones’ side took the lead in the 40th minute. It was a decent move from the U’s, who worked the ball down the left, with Jayden Harris crossing for David Ogbonna, who found the back of the net with a neat flick.
The Bucks looked for an instant reply and went close through Remi Walker, who fired just wide 25 yards, before Alex Fletcher then saw his goalbound effort deflected over the bar. An even first half, but the hosts went in 1-0 up at the break.
Kevin Wilkin’s men were looking to make a quick start to the second half, but it was the host who started the better and doubled their lead on 52 minutes. It was another well-worked goal from the U’s who beat the Bucks’ press to eventually free Ogbonna down the right, and Sutton’s opening scorer squared for Ashley Nadesan to slide home from close range at the back post.
It was end-to-end stuff now; Sutton looking to exploit the space the Bucks were leaving as Wilkin’s men pushed forward in search of a way back into the game. Ricardo Dinanga saw his effort blocked at one end before Gracey did well to keep out Junior Eccleston as the U’s hit the Bucks on the break. If you were looking for an example to perfectly depict the old cliche that the next goal is important, this was it. And it was the Bucks who got it. Fletcher sent to ball out to the right, and Dyer’s cross found its way all the way through to Dinanga at the back post, who squeezed a head between Reid and the upright.
The Bucks were in the ascendancy now. Dinanga almost bagged a carbon copy of his first goal, but his effort was blocked this time, while Ola Lawal fired a 25-yard effort just over the bar. The hosts were still creating chances themselves, though, and they nearly had a third when Kai Jenning’s 82nd minute effort was cleared off the line by Cranston. Brandon Njoku then fired a shot into the side netting shortly afterwards, which fooled a good chunk of the U’s fans, who were up celebrating a goal.
Wilkin’s men pushed and probed but couldn’t create anything clear cut, as the hosts defended well and hung on to win 2-1.
Match reaction
