This game was between two teams who had each won one and lost one of their opening games. This showed in the opening exchanges when neither team could stamp their authority on the play and the exchanges were scrappy and very even.

Sutton thought that they had taken an early lead when Mark Bellingham had the ball in the net only to be ruled offside.

It was Stamford’s turn to hit back and only two great saves by Niall Cooper, the second of which was from point blank range, kept Sutton with a clean sheet.

Two minutes from half time Sutton struck the killer blow when Matt Dodd was sent on a run down the right by a great ball from Dean Rathbone and when he cut in and squared the ball he found Ross Millar running into the box and he fired the ball home.

Half Time Sutton1 Stamford 0

The second half began with Bellingham finding himself one on one with the keeper who blocked his shot.

Sutton were now having the better of the play and beginning to stamp their authority on the game. A good free kick found the head of Stuart McNaught whose header just went the wrong side of the post.

It was no surprise when Sutton eventually increased their lead when a defensive mix up was seized upon by Craig Marshall and he hit a fiece shot from the edge of the area.

Rathbone hit s freekick towards the bottom of the post and only a great save by Mario Zaccardi in the Stamford goal saved then from going even further behind.

James Reid who came on as a substitute in the 88th minute scored Sutton’s third goal 5 minutes into time added on when he raced onto a bad back pass and lobbed the keeper.

This was a good hard fought win and Sutton were by far the better team and deserved the result.

Full Time Sutton 3 Stamford 0