Concord Rangers 3-1 Sutton

From the Aspect Arena

FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round

By Dan Thurogood

 

CONCORD Rangers put their early FA Cup exit behind them with an impressive 3-1 victory over Sutton United in the FA Trophy.

The win was the Beach Boys fifth in succession in all competitions, with goals from Lewis Taaffe, Jordan Cox and Ben Greenhalgh enough to knock their National League South rivals out of the cup.

Both sides struggled to get control early on before Taaffe netted the opener after 15 minutes. He outmuscled Shaun Cooper, cutting in from the edge of the penalty area and sending a curling effort over goal keeper Ross Worner.

The same man should have doubled his advantage soon after when Jordan Cox was brought down by Dean Beckwith in the area, but his effort from the penalty spot clipped the outside of the post and went behind.

And Concord were made to pay just before the break. Jamie Collins played a one-two with Craig Dundas before sending in a testing cross the Beach Boys failed to deal, with Kevin Amankwaah bundling the ball over the line from close range.

Collins should have put Sutton ahead at the start of the second-half, but his header from six yards out was superbly saved by Ben McNamara low down to his right.

And Concord made them pay with 13 minutes to go. A hashed clearance by Collins went across the six yard box to the unmarked Cox who slotted home from six yards.

Greenhalgh sealed victory in stoppage time, as he did what Taaffe could not. Taaffe was fouled in the box and the winger drilled into the top right-hand corner.

 

Concord Rangers: McNamara, Hammond, Stephen, Dowie, Easterford, Bailey-Dennis, Taaffe, White, Greenhalgh, Cox (King), Gardner