Stevenage return to Sky Bet League Two action with a trip to Matt Gray’s Sutton United in the hope of another three points…
After bowing out of the Emirates FA Cup last Sunday against Stoke City, Boro’s attention can now turn to earning promotion from Sky Bet League Two.
Steve Evans’ men look to make it twelve league games unbeaten tomorrow as they sit second in the table, just two points behind Leyton Orient with two games in hand.
Sutton United are enjoying their second-ever campaign in The EFL after promotion from non-league in 2021. Their first was rather impressive, finishing just a point outside the play-offs and being runners-up in the Papa John’s Trophy. This season has been far from disappointing for The Yellows as they sit comfortably in mid-table, after picking up eleven wins, eleven losses and six draws.
Sutton have lost just two of their last ten league games, with their most recent fixture being a 1-0 victory away to Harrogate. Their last two home games resulted in 2-1 wins over AFC Wimbledon and Gillingham. Goals come from all over the pitch for this side, but it’s Will Randall who leads the top scorer race this season with six to his name.
Matt Gray started his Sutton career as a coach before being made interim manager for the final game of the 2018/19 campaign. He was then appointed the permanent manager of Sutton United that summer and has since taken his side to promotion from non-league and a Papa John’s Trophy final.
Boro and The Yellows have met on just twelve competitive occasions in the past with Stevenage winning five, Sutton winning four and the sides drawing three. The first ever league encounter between tomorrow’s two teams was back in 1992 as Martin Gittings’ goal contributed to a 1-1 draw in the ‘Diadora League Premier Division’.
After Sutton’s promotion, the sides met once again. In January 2022, Boro drew 3-3 with The Yellows, with Luke Norris and Jamie Reid getting on the scoresheet. This season’s reverse fixture ended in a 3-0 victory at The Lamex as Dan Sweeney’s header was boosted by a Luke Norris brace.
The VBS Community stadium has played host to Sutton United home games since it opened in 1912. The ground has a capacity of 5,032 (765 seated), and a record attendance of 14,000 was set in the 1969/70 season as The Yellows lost 6-0 to Leeds United in The FA Cup. After winning promotion to the Football League, Sutton were required to replace their 3G pitch with grass.
Thomas Kirk has been appointed Match Referee for tomorrow’s match with Leigh Crowhurst and Andrew Laver as Assistants, and Carl Brook as Fourth Official.
Kirk has dished out ninety yellow cards and two reds in twenty-five matches this season.
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