Gravesend & N 3 Sutton 1

GRAVESEND & Northfleet extended their lead at the top of the Ryman League Premier Division to four points with convincing victory over Sutton at Stonebridge Road last night. The home side got off to the best possible start when Paul Booth headed Jimmy Jackson’s left wing cross into the corner of the net after only four minutes.

Sutton deservedly equalised on the quarter-hour mark when Chris Boothe stabbed a loose ball home from close range after Fleet goalkeeper Adrian Blake spilled Ryan Palmer’s cross-shot from the left. However, the scores did not stay level for long as Gravesend striker Che Stadhart burst through on goal six minutes later and held off the challenge from a Sutton defender before lashing home a fierce drive from the edge of the box.

Once again Sutton fought their way back into the game and were unlucky not to equalise on 31 minutes when Blake brilliantly tipped Ryan Palmer’s shot from 15 yards onto the post.

The visitors again went close to equalising in the last minute of the opening half but with Blake off his goal-line Sutton forward Eddie Akuamoah failed to hit the target with a difficult chance. Those misses proved crucial as Gravesend put the game beyond doubt early in the second-half with the third goal. Bruce Sewell’s weighted pass found Booth in space and the young striker made no mistake with a right foot shot from 12 yards.

The result extends the team’s winning streak to eight matches.

Gravesend: Blake, Sewell (McKimm 75), Martin, Lye, Barnett, Duku, Smith, Owen, Booth (Hatch 79), Stadhart, Jackson.

Attendance: 582