Ahead of the Game: Sutton United (A)

William Bewsey
2:28pm, Sat 3rd May 2025

Sutton United vs Woking
Vanarama National League
Monday 5th May 2025
15:00 Kick-Off

Woking’s last game of what has been a seemingly never ending 2024/25 season comes away to a Sutton side who the Cards could leapfrog with a win at Gander Green Lane on Bank Holiday Monday.

Neal Ardley’s side were down to the bare bones against Eastleigh but managed to gain a point with a 2-2 draw at the Laithwaite, and he’ll hope that several names might be back in contention or at the very least able to fill the squad up to 18.

Ultimately, the Cards did the hard work in an April schedule where 12 points from 6 games means they can watch the relegation picture unfold with no involvement. Make the short trip down to Sutton and cheer on the Cards in competitive action for the last time until August!

Opposition Watch
Steve Morison’s Sutton side have finished the season in less than convincing fashion. Slim chances of a playoff finish were ended by a poor run of form which has seen just four league wins since February as well as a shock exit in the FA Trophy quarter finals at home to Spennymoor Town, recently followed up by defeat in the National League Cup final against Leeds U21s.

Nonetheless, Sutton’s first season back in the National League can be considered a success because of shining lights like Lewis Simper and Will Davies. Former Woking loanee Simper has developed a reputation for his striking from outside the box, with seven league goals to his name in what is the 23-year-old’s busiest campaign yet. Davies has 20 in all competitions after joining from York last summer, with the striker certainly on a few summer wish lists for bigger clubs.

Home form has let the U’s down this season with only five teams boasting a worse home record, and only five teams boasting a better away record. Mid table is therefore where they belong and will finish, with the key for Morison to develop some stability with his young and promising squad.

Around the Ground
Tickets are available here.

Please note, there are no trains between Wimbledon and West Sutton, so those going by train will have to go via Clapham Junction.

Away fans will be placed in the Curva Terrace.

Away fans should enter through turnstiles 5 and 6 which is by Gate B.

Enter through the park off Collingwood Road. If you’re travelling from Sutton Station, walk down Gander Green Lane, and enter the park to Gate B.

Southern services through Sutton station are operating normally, and from Sutton station supporters can get to the ground by either the 80 or 413 bus route, or it's about a 15-20 minute walk.

Last Time Out
Goals from Lewis Simper and Jeremy Sivi proved enough for Sutton to win 2-1 back in September despite a consolation from Tom Leahy.

In 14 games since Sutton were promoted to the Conference South in 2011, Woking have won seven, Sutton six and there has been one draw.

Match Report | Cards in Sutton stalemate to end season

William Bewsey
5:16pm, Mon 5th May 2025

Sutton United 1-1 Woking
Vanarama National League
5th May 2025

Woking’s last game of the 2024/25 season saw Neal Ardley’s side visit Sutton United at the VBS Community Stadium with hopes of a top half finish.

The Cards lined up with Josh Osude and Matt Ward both starting together for the first time, with Inih Effiong returning to the bench. Their opponents had former Woking loanee Lewis Simper in their starting eleven, with another former Card in Nana Boateng on the bench.

Woking started quickly, with Osude’s driving run getting the Cards up the pitch before Sha’mar Lawson’s cross was just sliced wide by the pacy winger. They had a deserved lead after just six minutes when a superb through ball from Andrews played in Osude. His shot was well saved by Jack Sims but the ball eventually broke for Lewis Walker to head home from a couple of yards and send the travelling Cards (bananas, jockeys, chickens etc) wild.

Sutton aimed to fire back with the U’s having more possession after the 15 minute mark. Edu Vaz’s free kick was seen wide by Ollie Webber after a superb Okoli challenge a few minutes later denied Will Davies a chance to shoot.

Another fantastic Woking move saw Walker, Osude and Ashford combine, with the latter firing just over the crossbar from inside the area. Sutton responded with a nice move of their own, as Simper teed up Alex Woodyard, but his shot took a deflection and flew wide.

Then came a fantastic save from Webber after Nadesan flicked a corner towards goal, but the keeper managed to tip the ball onto the bar and Woking cleared. Ashford then forced a good save from Sims after he nodded Andrews’ free kick delivery towards goal.

Woking thought they had doubled their advantage for at least a second before the flag went up, as Ashford was offside when he met Osude’s delightful cross and headed into the bottom corner. Ward then danced down the wing, before his low delivery very nearly nestled into the corner as Walker and Ashford attempted to tap it in.

An entertaining and open first half where Woking attacked with purpose and pace, and thoroughly deserved to be leading by a goal to nil.

Half-time: Sutton United 0-1 Woking

Woking started the second half strongly, albeit without testing Sims. Osude’s shot deflected behind after 55 minutes following a spell of quality midfield play from the Cards, who were picking up the majority of second balls.

A rare giveaway from Walker led to Simper finding Vaz, but his shot flew over the crossbar as Sutton looked to get back into the game. Almost immediately, a 30-yard burst through the midfield saw Ward and Moss exchange passes inside the box before the former scooped his effort over the Sutton bar.

The hosts equalised after 64 minutes when an initially half cleared corner was recycled, and the ball eventually made its way to Jack Wadham via the head of Ashley Nadesan, with the Bournemouth loanee finding the bottom corner.

Sutton were left amazed as to how they didn’t quickly take the lead when Simper’s shot was well saved by Webber, but the rebound struck the post and then the ball eventually dribbled wide. Back came the Cards when Walker flicked the ball onto Osude, but his left footed shot flew across the face of goal and went wide.

Six minutes of injury time went without a real chance as these sides finished with a point apiece.

Woking: Webber, Moss, Akinola, Okoli, Lawson (Kelly-Evans 72’), Hinds, Andrews, Osude, Ward (Vincent 78’), Ashford (Effiong 78’), Walker.

Subs: Jones, Sayers

Goals: Walker 6’

Bookings: Moss 45’, Hinds 86’

Sutton United: Sims, French (Jackson 86’), Ransom, Simper, Davies, De Silva (Boateng 78’), Vaz (Muller 78’), Wadham, Nadesan, Woodyard (Adom 60’), Topalloj

Subs: Kerbey, Odelusi, Sandat

Goals: Wadham 64’

Bookings: De Silva 25’, Wadham 38’, Simper 42’

Attendance: 3270 (687 Woking fans)