Match Report - Sutton United v Yeovil Town

Yeovil Town fell to a disappointing 3-2 defeat at Sutton United this afternoon in front of the BT Sport cameras - their third televised match this season that has ended in defeat. Goals from Rhys Murphy and Albi Skendi weren't enough to get anything out of the game as defensive frailties cost Yeovil dearly.

Darren Sarll was forced into making one change to the side that thrashed Torquay United 6-2 on Boxing Day. Lee Collins picked up an injury and was replaced by Remeao Hutton.

The match began very slowly with neither side creating any chances worth noting. Both sides were mostly concentrating on keeping their focus and shape to build some sustained pressure.

The match sparked into life in the 24th minute as Sutton United caught Yeovil on the break and Harry Beautyman grabbed the goal that gave the hosts the lead.

The lead didn't last long though as Yeovil drew level again straight from the kick-off. Myles Hippolyte sent a cross into the box that Rhys Murphy managed to get to and leveled the scores with his 16th goal of the season.

Yeovil would go on to take the lead in the match in the 38th minute as a shot from Courtney Duffus from the edge of the box was deflected over Nik Tzanev by Albi Skendi.

Yeovil were unable to hold onto this lead though as 3 minutes before half time Sutton were level again. Some poor defending from Yeovil allowed Sutton to put a dangerous ball into the box that Ben Goodliffe merely had to tap in.

Half Time - Sutton United 2-2 Yeovil Town

Yeovil were much improved at the start of the second half and were pressing for a third goal to re-establish the lead. The best chance that Yeovil had fell to Courtney Duffus as a perfect pass from Hippolyte sent Duffus through on goal only for his shot to re-bound off the post.

Yeovil were made to pay for this miss as Sutton re-took the lead on 63 minutes. Another piece of poor defending allowed Sutton through and David Ajiboye claimed Sutton's third goal of the afternoon.

Yeovil continued to struggle for the remainder of the match as they were unable to re-produce the same level of tempo they showed in the 6-2 win over Torquay. They were giving the ball away cheaply and spurning opportunities with mis-placed passing and giving away silly fouls. The referee didn't help that matter either as Sutton were getting a lot of free kicks from seemingly being out-muscled.

Despite Yeovil applying some late pressure they were unable to find the goal that would earn them a point and return to Somerset empty handed.

Full Time - Sutton United 3-2 Yeovil Town

One way to describe the events of today is that nothing seemed to click for us. Defensive issues were the main cause of the defeat as gifting away three goals will almost certainly leave you empty handed. It will be interesting to see how the team respond to this on New Years Day at Torquay United.

The defeat means Yeovil missed yet another chance to go top of the National League table but in the end there wasn't much damage done as Barrow could only draw away at Hartlepool United. Bromley and Harrogate Town both won today which moves them closer to us in the table but at the moment we are still in second place, one point behind leaders Barrow.

Man of the match voting for this defeat at Sutton United is now open. You can cast your vote here.

Match Attendance - 2,189 (317 from Yeovil Town)

Sutton United

13 - Nik Tzanev, 15 - Craig Eastmond, 2 - Louis John, 4 - John Barden, 10 - Harry Beautyman, 20 - Tommy Wright (replaced by 18 - Will Randall on 81 minutes), 24 - Rob Milson, 17 - David Ajoboye, 8 - Kenny Davis, 27 - Aaron Jarvis (replaced by 14 - Craig Dundas on 89 minutes), 5 - Ben Goodliffe

Substitues

1 - Ben Dudzinski, 7 - Tom Bolarinwa, 14 - Craig Dundas, 18 - Will Randall, 22 - Ben Wyatt

Yeovil Town

1 - Stuart Nelson, 24 - Remeao Hutton, 30 - Gabriel Osho (replaced by 29 - Morgan Williams on 64 minutes), 8 - Lawson D'Ath, 3 - Carl Dickinson, 6 - Luke Wilkinson, 26 - Charlie Lee (replaced by 28 - James Tilley on 74 minutes), 18 - Albi Skendi, 11 - Myles Hippolyte (replaced by 33 - Chris Dagnall on 74 minutes), 9 - Rhys Murphy, 14 - Courtney Duffus

Substitues

7 - Matt Worthington, 10 - Gold Omotayo, 28 - James Tilley, 29 - Morgan Williams, 33 - Chris Dagnall