Sutton United welcome Forest Green Rovers to Gander Green Lane on Saturday afternoon, with just three points separating the sides after nine National League matches. Sutton begin the weekend sixth with 16 points, while Forest Green sit 14th on 13 points and will be looking to respond to last weekend’s home defeat against Boston United.
Sutton have experienced mixed fortunes in recent weeks after making a strong start to the campaign. Three successive league defeats were followed by a return to winning ways against Eastleigh, before Steve Morison’s side earned a dramatic 1-1 draw away at FC Halifax Town last weekend.
That point at The Shay came in extraordinary circumstances. Halifax appeared to have won the match when Will Nightingale diverted Max Bardell’s header into his own net in the 94th minute, but Sutton responded almost immediately. Charlie Carter headed the ball across goal and substitute David Ogbonna converted in the 95th minute to rescue a point for the visitors.
Sutton’s recent sequence has therefore produced one win, one draw and three defeats from their last five National League matches. They have scored in each of their last two fixtures, although their 10 goals across the opening nine games represents a considerably lower attacking return than several of the teams around them in the table.
Forest Green travel to Gander Green Lane looking to bounce back from a 3-1 home defeat against Boston United. Robbie Savage’s side recovered quickly after conceding inside the opening minute, with Jayden Clarke equalising almost immediately, and went on to create numerous opportunities. However, Tom Cursons restored Boston’s lead from the penalty spot before Lennon Wheeldon added a third to secure the points for the visitors.
That defeat ended a four-match unbeaten run for Forest Green. Rovers had responded to a home defeat by Harrogate Town with successive victories, including an emphatic 4-0 win over Gateshead, before earning a point from a 2-2 draw at Carlisle United. Their last five league matches have therefore produced two wins, one draw and two defeats.
Forest Green have also remained a consistent attacking threat, scoring in each of their last five National League matches. They have found the net 13 times across their opening nine fixtures, although 14 goals conceded leaves them with a negative goal difference despite their position in a congested middle section of the table.
Recent meetings between the clubs have generally favoured Forest Green. Across six encounters over the previous three seasons, Rovers have recorded four victories, Sutton have won once and one match has ended level, with Forest Green scoring 10 goals to Sutton’s four.
Forest Green recorded a convincing 4-0 home victory when the sides met last season, with Kyle McAllister scoring twice. The return fixture at Gander Green Lane was much closer. McAllister put Forest Green ahead from the penalty spot before Jayden Harris struck late for Sutton to secure a 1-1 draw.
Sutton begin the weekend sixth in the National League with 16 points from nine matches, having scored 10 goals and conceded 10. Forest Green sit 14th with 13 points from nine games, scoring 13 and conceding 14. With only three points separating the clubs, Saturday’s meeting gives Sutton an opportunity to build on the resilience shown at Halifax, while Forest Green will be looking for a response after last weekend’s defeat and a return to the form that preceded it.
