Sutton Schools Borough U11s showed great character to come from behind twice to overcome a very strong Barking side in the Gills Shield on Saturday.

In a tight first half, both teams cancelled each other out with Barking using the wind to put pressure on the Sutton defence. Just as Sutton seemed to have weathered the storm, Barking claimed the first goal with a deflected shot on the stroke of half time.

In the second half, Stefan Ilic converted a half chance to grab the equaliser but then Barking regained their lead from a free kick that went in off the post. It was at this point that Sutton dug deep and Noah Vezzu seized the moment to convert two late free kicks the second an unstoppable strike that sealed the win and earned Sutton a place in the next round away to Dover.

Full-back Jack Hopper was Sutton’s South West Trains player of the match.

Sutton: Feeley (Brookfield), McGee -Capt., Healy (St. Cecilia’s), Hicks (Robin Hood), Hopper (Homefield), Steele, Morcombe (Bandon Hill), Jeevan, Scantlebury (High View), Bannister (Benhilton), Vezzu (The Avenue), O’Leary-Blade, Norman (St. Mary’s), Ilic (Cheam Common)