In what would prove to be the final game of Richard Sneekes’ tenure, Sutton Coldfield Town suffered another blow to their ailing survival hopes when they went down 4-3 to Rushall Olympic in a fluctuating encounter.

It was The Pics who made the early running and they took a sixth minute lead when defender Joe Hull headed home Gurjit Singh’s corner. Singh, who was Sutton’s top scorer before his recent departure, was a threat with his set-piece delivery.

Eight minutes later and The Royals achieved parity. The referee, Neil Pratt, awarded Sutton a penalty for handball. Justin Richards coolly slotting home.
Rushall pressed Sutton more intelligently as the half wore on but without creating significant openings.

Towards the end of the first half, Town began to assert themselves and should’ve got their noses in front. Chances missed included: a Lee Smith volley that was executed poorly and a better volley from Mark Walters that forced a save.

HT: Sutton Town 1-1 Rushall Olympic

Sutton soon took the lead in the second half as Richards bagged his second – and fourth in his last two games – to give Sutton belief but The Royals would ultimately concede their advantage quickly.
Rushall made it 2-2 when Daniel Dubidat headed in after an initial effort from new signing Josh Sarmento had struck the upright.

The third Rushall goal was something of a carbon copy as Danny Waldron witnessed a long-range effort hit the woodwork and Dubidat again nodded in a header. The Royals spent far too much time from 2-2 arguing between themselves.

The game was slipping away from Sutton until Dave Howarth, on as a sub, turned and saw his scuffed effort creep in to level matters once again.

Unfortunately for Sutton, they would suffer a cruel, perhaps season-defining, loss after goalkeeper Jono Brown gave away a penalty for a foul on Richard Brodie. The felled player then held his nerve to give the visitors three crucial points.

FT: Sutton Town 3-4 Rushall Olympic

Brannon’s Sutton MOTM: Justin Richards

Jay B’s Reflections:

• The departure of Richard Sneekes may have come too late. The points differential to a number of teams is makeable but it’s worrying that we’ve also played a lot more games than most. He deserved time to work with a number of new signings but our form since just before Christmas has reverted back to the first three months of the season. I see no harm in a change, though Sneekes’ was not to blame much. His recruitment at the club has generally been very good.

• The Dutchman should be also be lauded for his part in last season’s ‘Great Escape’, pulling off a number of big signings and organising us superbly.

• I’m not overly surprised with the return of Neil Tooth as a manager. He’s been making an impact with relegation-threatened Romulus and has a good understating of the playing staff. He retains a good level of popularity with the supporters and, if the relegation does occur, has previous in gaining promotion from Step 4.

• Congratulations to Danny O’Callaghan on reaching the milestone of 150 games for the club.

Sutton are next in action on Saturday, January 27th when they host Workington.