13.10.2026 Vs Sporting Khalsa

Despite the result, it was a night of real pride for the Greens who fielded nine Under-21 players and handed debuts to Joey Buckley, Javaughn Francis and Max Jones, all of whom contributed impressively.

Sutton’s young side delivered a performance full of character, determination and resilience, particularly after being reduced to ten men early in the second half, but their efforts went unrewarded as Khalsa were clinical with their chances, capitalising on key moments to progress.

The opening exchanges were tight, with both sides battling for control and few clear opportunities. Sutton struck first in the 18th minute with a superb counter-attack goal. Sean Devlin won possession near the edge of his own box and released Jayden Hunter down the right. Hunter beat his marker brilliantly and delivered a precise low cross for Ryan Nesbitt, who finished clinically to put Sutton ahead.

Sporting Khalsa were limited to speculative efforts until a dangerous delivery from the right found Kieran Francis, who diverted the ball narrowly wide under pressure from the excellent Ethan Mee.

Controversy arrived deep into first-half stoppage time, when Khalsa’s Richard David curled a shot in off the far post, after Rio Sawyers had received the ball in what appeared to be an offside position. Sutton protested strongly, but the goal stood, sending the sides into the break level at 1-1.

The turning point came ten minutes after the restart, as Gabe Newey and a Khalsa attacker sprinted towards a loose ball on the edge of the area, and Newey was a fraction late and conceded the penalty. Despite the double-jeopardy rule, he was shown a harsh red card, leaving Sutton down to ten men and facing a penalty.

With Nesbitt sacrificed for goalkeeper Greg Lewis, Lewis’ first involvement was to face Mitchell Glover’s spot kick, which the Khalsa forward dispatched confidently to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.

Sutton’s response was outstanding. Ethan Reynolds produced a commanding midfield display, while Cian Tevlin impressed at fullback, going close to a goal with a dipping long-range effort. Substitute Joseph Kwarteng added energy in the final stages, firing narrowly wide from the right as Sutton pushed hard for an equaliser.

But Khalsa’s experience told in stoppage time, as Kieron Whittacker, who had been excellent throughout, threaded a precise pass through the Sutton back line for substitute Dilano Reid, who finished calmly to seal a 3-1 victory and Khalsa’s place in the next round.

It was a frustrating night for Sutton, shaped by major decisions that went against them, but also one filled with encouragement. The young squad showed maturity and quality, competing strongly even with ten men, and demonstrating the club’s growing depth. Attention now turns back to league action, with United hosting Stockport Georgians on Saturday 17th October, 3pm at Coleshill Road.

Team: Sutton United
1. Gabe Newey
2. Cian Tevlin
3. Ethan Mee
4. Tion Pearce
5. Lewis Wall (c)
6. Ethan Reynolds
7. Sean Devlin – 46’ Tyrese Weekes
8. Joey Buckley – 64’ Alfie Bromley
9. Jayden Hunter – 71’ Joseph Kwarteng
10. Ryan Nesbitt - 58’ Greg Lewis
11. Javaughn Francis – 71’ Max Jones

Management/Assistants:
Neil Tooth, Phil Male, Sam Heath, Mark Brady
Sinead McElwaine, Derrick Culling,
Marcus Davies, Diare McBride

Team: Sporting Khalsa
1. Szymon Terenowicz
2. Kristian Green (c)
3. Mikkel Hirst
4. Narel Phillips
5. Rio Sawyers
6. Daniel Broni-Phillips - 83’ Kyle Burke
7. Kieron Whittaker
8. Kieran Francis – 61’ Che Ranger
9. Maxwell Chimenes – 68’ Rhys Halliday
10. Mitchell Glover – 68’ Dilano Reid
11. Richard David – 68’ Jamie Fox

Management/Assistants:
Ian Rowe, Jason Lanns, Gavin Evans,
Rhys Evans, Lee Humphries, Jack Stewart

Match Officials: Kieron Rogers, Saeed Ahmed, Jordan Brueton

 

Sutton United	Statistics	Sporting Khalsa
1	Goals	3
6	Attempts	9
3	Attempts on Target	3
48%	Possession	52%
4	Corners	7
10	Fouls Committed	14
1	Yellow Cards	2
1	Red Cards	0
Ethan Reynolds	Club Man of the Match
	Opp Man of the Match	Kieron Whittaker