UXBRIDGE (1) 2 Tunnell 7 mins, Clark 79 mins

SUTTON UTD (0) 0

Uxbridge’s great start to 2001 continues and another impressive all round performance ensured victory over Premier Division Sutton United in the Full Members Cup. The Reds new found confidence seemingly knows no bounds as once again they were the better side in a cup tie where the only worry was the fact that a number of chances weren’t converted which kept the visitors in the match. Sutton showed their intentions as early as the first minute when David Harlow hit a twenty-five yard effort which Daryl Pelton did well to hold on to. However, six minutes later Uxbridge were ahead. Lee Tunnell made the most of some undisciplined United defending and fired a shot through the legs of Gareth Howells in the U’s goal. It was Tunnell’s first goal since the beginning of December and one which was thoroughly deserved after some excellent performances in recent weeks. The lead was almost doubled in the eighteenth minute when Gavin Bamford sent Chris Moore on his way but Howells pushed his shot around the post. Sutton may have been surprised at not being able to run things but still gave the impression that if an opportunity came their way they wouldn’t spurn it. In the twenty-fourth minute they worked a good move through midfield which resulted in Harlow played a neat one two on the edge of the area before hitting a powerful shot which Pelton did well to tip over the crossbar. Ten minutes later recent signing Paul Whitmarsh attempted a curler from the edge of the area and wasn’t far wide but in-between times Ryan Palmer almost scored an own goal at the other end when he swung at Tunnell’s cross and only a backtracking Howells saved the defender from embarrassment. In the closing stages of the half both sides could have scored. Firstly Uxbridge were denied again by Howells when Paul Mills free kick was headed goalwards by Stuart Bamford only for the U’s ‘keeper to tip the ball over the bar. Then Sutton looked to have an ideal opportunity to equalise as Haworth sprung the offside trap but lost his footing and fell over. The chances continued to flow after the break. Moore found himself through on goal in the opening minutes with just Howells to beat but from a difficult angle shot wide. At the other end Pelton saved at Whitmarsh’s feet. Shortly afterwards the action was back in the Sutton goalmouth when Dean Clark’s defence splitting pass created an opening for Gavin Bamford who attempted to lob Howells but didn’t get enough height on his chip. Sutton may have been living dangerously but they had a great chance to draw level on sixty five minutes when a ball through the middle of the Uxbridge defence sent Whitmarsh away with just Pelton to beat but the Reds goalkeeper dived low to his left to made an excellent save and keep his side ahead. The Reds realised that they would have to score another goal to make the game safe and Gavin Bamford forced another decent save from Howells before Mills fired a shot into the side netting. On seventy-two minutes Sutton threatened again when Nko Ekoku’s cross was volleyed over by Haworth and then five minutes later Whitmarsh shot at Pelton. That was to be the U’s last role of the dice though and in the seventy-ninth minute Uxbridge sealed victory with an exquisite goal. Pelton’s long clearance found Gavin Bamford on the left who held the ball up before laying it into the path of the oncoming Clark to smack a first time shot past the for once helpless Howells. It was Clark’s fifth goal in five games, the Reds fifth consecutive victory and a result which puts Uxbridge through to their third cup Quarter Final. Not bad for a club who looked to have little to play for at the end of 2000!

UXBRIDGE: Pelton, Mills (Goodall 87), S.Bamford, K.Cleary, Weedon, G.Bamford, J.Cleary (Granville 83), B.Bamford, Tunnell (Walters 84), Moore, Clark.

SUTTON UNITED: Howells, Brooker, Riley, Sears (Gray 78), Palmer, Harlow, Bolt, Smith (Thompson 83), Haworth, Whitmarsh, Ekoku.

Sub not used: Boothe