A penalty, deep into added time, prevented Town from making a winning debut in the National League, as they drew 2-2 against Sutton United.
A foul by Ryan Fallowfield on Aswad Thomas led to early pressure from the U’s and Callum Howe and Jack Muldoon did well to clear Nicky Bailey’s dangerous cross, to deny Ross Layfayette an opening.
Town began to find their feet and Aaron Williams tested visiting keeper,Jamie Butler,with a cross shot which he turned for a corner.
Jack Emmett and George Thomson,both squared searching centres across the Sutton area, but Town were unable to apply the finishing touches.
Sutton hit back strongly with the mercurial,Tom Bolarinwa,lashing a shot at goal which Howe managed to head clear.
Midway through the half, Dom Knowles,almost gave Town the lead when he met Thomson’s cross,only to see his header come back off the upright.
Unfortunately for Town,six minutes before the break the U’s took the lead when Charlie Clough rose highest at the far post to head in Bolarinwa’s free kick after he had been brought down by Liam Kitching.
The visitors made a bright start to the second half and a Bailey free kick into Town’s area found Harry Beautyman, but he was denied by a brilliant sliding tackle from Warren Burrell.
Much to the delight of the Town faithful,on the hour,the Wetherby Roader’s levelled the score!
A superb first time pass from Josh Falkingham found Thomson on the left wing and Butler made a hash of the winger’s cross, allowing Muldoon to net from close range.
With fifteen minutes left,Joe Leesley,replaced Muldoon,but his first contribution was to head Thomson’s cross high over the bar.
However, with only four minutes left,Falkingham’s drive from the edge of the area was diverted for a corner which sub, Kelvin Langmead, turned in at the far post, after sloppy Sutton defending.
Unfortunately, Town’s hopes of a famous victory were dashed three minutes into stoppage time when Referee Simon Mather,spotted a handball in the box and Jamie Collins lashed the resulting spot kick past James Belshaw, into the top corner.
Town
Belshaw,Fallowfield(Langmead 62),Kitching,Falkingham(c),Howe,Burrell,Thomson,Emmett,Williams,Knowles,Muldoon(Leesley 74).
Unused subs,Cracknell,Agnew,Kerry. Goals Muldoon 60,Langmead 86.
Booked Kitching,Muldoon,Williams.
Sutton United,
Butler,Bennett(Drinan 74),Thomas,Clough,Collins,Bolarinwa,Lafayette(Wright 74),Eastmond,Bailey,Beautyman,Taylor(Wishart 86).
Unused subs,Beckwith,Davis Goals Clough 39,Collins 90 pen.
Booked Lafayette,Beautyman Att.1378 Town Man of the Match Falkingham
Referee Simon Mather.
By John Harrison
