Getting To Know: Sutton United

National League new comers Sutton United have had a steady start to life in the Premier division. Following  a 3-1 loss to Solihull Moors, United went onto to gain a point away at promotion favourites Forest Green Rovers.

Lincoln City face Sutton at the weekend at Sincil Bank, although The Imps cruised to a 6-1 win against North Ferriby, manager Danny Colwey has admitted this Saturday’s clash will be a tough test, coming up against a team who he knows well from his days with Concord Rangers.

I speak to Sutton United fan Dan Howe and ask a bit of background knowledge of the club, and his thoughts going into Saturday’s fixture.

Following promotion to the National League, how do you think Sutton will get on with life in the Premier Division? 

I personally think we will find it hard during the early part of the season, we have a tough start, but I think as we go along we will get use to the league. I would predict a lower mid table finish and that wouldn’t be a bad way to end our National League campaign for the first season in the National League in 16 years.

Should we look out for any players in particular,  I know manager Paul Doswell has said you’ve fought off interest for Dan Wishart?

Looks like Dan Wishart will be on his way out to a league 1 club. Our key area is in Midfield, the likes of Nicky Bailey and Craig Eastmond will be important this season, without them we might still be in the National League South.

How do you think Sutton will do against Lincoln ahead of this weekends fixture?

It’s going to be a very tough game for us, we need to keep Matt Rhead quite throughout the match. Paul Doswell has locked horns with Dan Cowley many times and has come out on top, so that might give us an advantage.

As you mentioned about Wishart attracting interest earlier, could you go through the clubs transfer activity?

Normally we have a revolving door of players going in and out, but Our manager (Paul Doswell) has stuck by the team that brought us up. We have brought in: Bradley Hudson-Odoi(Wealdstone), Joe Morrell (Bristol City Loan), Roarie Deacon(Crawley), Maxime Biamou(AS Yzeure, team from France) and Chris Dickson(Ermis Aradippou, team in Cyprus). We also sold one of our star players Tom Bolarinwa to Grimsby Town.

What’s your prediction ahead of the game on Saturday?

I will predict a 2-2 draw.


 

Reda Johnson Joins Eastleigh

Eastleigh have recently signed vastly experienced defender Reda Johnson, after leaving Coventry City. The 6 ft 3 centre back began his career with Gueugnon, who now play in the sixth tier of French football. Reda went onto to play for Amiens, before making the switch to Plymouth Argyle, playing over 40 times for the club. The Benin footballer then joined Sheffield Wednesday for an undisclosed fee, later going on to make 75 appearances for The Owls. He later joined Coventry on a one-year deal, scoring twice on his debut in a victory against Bradford City.

 

Match Report: Lincoln City VS North Ferriby United

Following the opening week of the season, Lincoln will be looking to carry their form after a 3-1 away win at Woking. Meanwhile National League new comers North Ferriby drew 0-0 against a solid Braintree side.

The Imps made two changes for the clash, with Raggett coming in for MCombe and Margetts replacing Adam Marriott. North Ferriby made two changes, with Ben Middleton and new singing Vinny Mukendi replacing Sam Topliss and Fosu-Mensah.

Lincoln manager Danny Cowley said in pre-season he is looking to start game with a high intensity, which paid off just two minutes in. A dangerous ball was crossed in by Habergham and Matt Rhead out jumped the helpless Ferriby defender and put The Imps ahead. It didn’t take long for a second either for Lincoln, following a drilled pass by Beevers, Nathan Arnold was quickest to the ball and smashed the ball past Rory Watson.

On the quarter hour mark, a long throw saw Lincoln end up with the first corner of the game, which saw a training ground routine pay off as Luke Waterfall was first to the ball and despite getting a hand to it, Watson couldn’t keep the shot out and saw Ferriby 3-0 down. It got even worse for North Ferriby, after some neat play by Lincoln, Margetts was racing through on goal and was brought down by Ben Middleton, who eventually saw red. Matt Rhead stepped up and coolly placed the penalty bottom right of the keeper, putting The Imps 4-0 up against what was now a 10-man Ferriby.

Shortly after The Imps were still dominating play, however after a lapse of concentration, Curtis Bateson was able to run down the left wing, sprinting past Waterfall and placed the ball past a stranded Paul Farman, but a cancellation if anything for the visitors.

HALF TIME: LINCOLN CITY 4-1 NORTH FERRIBY

Only one change was made at the beginning of the second half, with Vinny Mukendi being taken off for Ryan Kendall.

City again started the second half on the front foot, and regained a four goal cushion when a strike on goal by Margetts was parried by Watson, straight back into the strikers range and thumped the ball into the top of the net.

A dominant display continued for City and went onto get a sixth, Bradley Wood made a darting run from midfield and struck the ball from distance past Watson, who could only get his fingertips onto the ball which couldn’t quite stop the ball from going in. A great game for Wood which was topped off with him being awarded captaincy for the game.

FULL TIME: LINCOLN CITY 6-1 NORTH FERRIBY

Lincoln City: Farman, Wood, Habergham, Waterfall, Muldoon(Hodge), Rhead(McCombe), Margetts, Beevers, Raggett, Arnold(Simmons 67), Woodyard.

North Ferriby: Watson, Brogan, Oliver (Fallowfield), Gray, Clarke, Bateson, Robinson(Emerton 71), Russell, Middleton, Skelton, Mukendi (Kendall 46).

 

 

Dover Sign Ross Lafayette

Dover Athletic have today completed the signing of striker Ross Lafayette, following his departure from National league rivals Eastleigh. Ross becomes Dover’s second striker to join the club, after Moses Emmanuel recently re-joined The Whites.

Ross began his career with Chesham United and then went onto have spells with Barton Rovers, Aylesbury, Burnham, and Hemel Hempstead. He then joined Welling, making over 75 appearances for The Wings. After impressing at Welling, he was rewarded with a move to Luton, but after a lack of first team football, made two loan spells at Woking and Welling. Followed by a move to Eastleigh, Lafayette then joined Aldershot on loan, before making a switch to Dover.

Getting To Know: North Ferriby United

North Ferriby United visit Sincil Bank tomorrow, following their promotion to the National League. 

The Villagers drew their first game at the weekend against Braintree Town, which was a hard fought result for the club. This Tuesday they come up against rivals Lincoln City, who are looking to carry on good form after a 3-1 win away at Woking.

I speak to North Ferriby follower Charlie Weatherill on tomorrow’s game against The Imps, and how the thinks the club will do this season. 

Following the departure of Billy Heath, how do you feel new manager Steve Housham has done in terms of recruitment?

Well I don’t recognise any of the names, but they seem to have brought in quite a few players, a couple of Ferriby’s best players left to Halifax I believe, so gaps needed plugging it would seem. Guess time will tell.

After a 0-0 draw at the weekend against Braintree, how do you feel Ferriby will do going into the local derby?

I reckon they will hold their own, another draw would be a good result.

From an oppositions view, how do you think Lincoln will do this year?

I think top half, potentially around the playoffs.

 Finally, your prediction for tomorrow’s game?

1-1



Preview: Woking VS Lincoln City

After a disappointing Euros (unless you’re from Wrexham) football is finally back, and today I preview the game between Woking and Lincoln City. 

Transfers

Following Lincolns appointment of ex Braintree manager Danny Cowley, a real sense of optimism can be felt. Cowley was quick to begin the clear out, by releasing several players including Conner Robinson and Matt Sparrow, however with the additions of England C players Alex Woodyard, Sam Habergham and Sean Raggett, The Imps’ squad is looking very solid ahead of the new campaign.

Meanwhile for Woking boss Gary Hill, he has brought in the likes of ex Imp Delano Sam-Yorke and youngster Dennon Lewis on loan from Watford. Yesterday they announced three new additions to the squad in Anthony Edgar, Chike Kandi and Aaron Smith-Joseph who have all signed on one-year deals.

Predicted Line-Ups 

Lincoln have no new major doubts ahead of the game, with Hawkridge and Margetts both on track to be match fit for the opening fixture. 

Predicted XI: Farman, Wood, McCombe, Raggett, Habergham, Woodyard, Power, Arnold, Muldoon, Rhead, Marriott. 

Woking have do not seeks to have any doubts going into today’s opening fixture, whoever it’ll be touch and go for defender Ismail Yakubu who has recently returned to the squad after a lengthy spell out injured. 

Predicted XI: Poke, Caprice, Yakubu, Saah, Jones, Edgar, Murtagh, Smith-Joseph, Lewis, Sam-Yorke, Ugwu. 

Score: Woking 0-2 Lincoln City 

Moses Emmanuel Joins Dover

Despite interest from Gillingham, Dover have managed to secure the singing in former striker Moses Emmanuel from fellow National League outfit Bromley. 

Moses had a prolific season for Bromley, netting  over 20 goals in the season for The Ravens. 


Frenchman Joins Forest Green Rovers

Forest Green Rovers have today completed the signing of attacking midfielder Fabien Robert, with Rovers boss Mark Cooper announcing he will be his last signing before the season starts on Saturday.

Robert began his youth career with French side Lorient, making over 40 appearances in Ligue 1. He then joined Boulogne on loan, who play in the third tier of French football, but when retuning to Lorient, he was dropped to the ‘B’ team. Brother of ex Newcastle man Laurent Robert, he then spent time on loan with Doncaster, before making the permanent switch to Swindon.

In May he was released after not being offered a new deal at Swindon, going onto spend time on trial at League 1 side Coventry City, but failed to impress Tony Mowbray. Marc therefore decided to drop into Non-League football to reunite with former boss Cooper.

 

Fabien Roberts playing for Swindon

 

Imps Sign Sean Raggett

Lincoln City have today announced the signing of England C defender Sean Raggett from Dover Athletic. Raggett, who was a key player in Dovers promotion push last season, joins The Imps on a Two year contract. 

Matt Rhead extends contract with The Imps

Matt Rhead has today extended his contract with The Imps for a further year until the end of the 2017-18 season. Despite alleged interest from fellow National league clubs such as Barrow and Wrexham, Rhead has committed to the club with his transfer request seeming likely to have been removed. Scoring over 20 last season for Lincoln, this no doubt will be a great piece of business by manager Danny Cowley.