Sutton United

2022 - 3 - 9

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Wigan Today"

Wigan Athletic: Talking points from Sutton United (h) (Wigan Today)

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And the visit of near-neighbours Bolton will remain on the first Saturday in April. A game of such magnitude deserves to be played on a weekend, rather than shunted on to a midweek night later in the campaign. Jones had twice taken - and scored - penalties in shoot-outs this term, while Kerr had converted the winning spot-kick at Accrington in the round of 16. And the quarter-final victory over Arsenal Under-21 - in front of a bumper crowd that saw the kick-off put back - will live long in the memory, especially for matchwinner Divin Baningime. But the sight of seeing some of Latics' stars of tomorrow taking their first tentative steps in the first team gave the competition added meaning to this season's participation. The competition will always have a special place in the hearts of Latics fans, especially those who saw their team pick up either the Freight Rover Trophy in 1985 or the Auto Windscreens Shield in 1999. At the beginning of the season, the much-maligned Papa John's Trophy would have been a distant fourth on the priority list for Leam Richardson and Latics. But having come all the way to the last four, and a home semi-final against a team from the division below, it's no wonder there's such a feeling of 'what might have been' in the air.

No gimmicks as Sutton United threaten double promotion (Football365.com)

Sutton United are on course for a second successive promotion; they are just a proper, local club and it warms the cockles.

This midweek, they come up against Wigan Athletic in the semi-final of their first ever EFL Trophy campaign, one victory from Wembley and a chance to add silverware to their recent successes. With the greatest of respect to the London club, they feel like a non-league side that is punching above its weight. There is no big investments propelling the club out of a league which now includes Wrexham and Stockport County, and the summer work consisted of keeping a winning group together, adding quantity over proven EFL quality. While Forest Green retain interest and bizarre ridicule over their veganism and carbon neutrality and the Class of ’92 control Salford, Sutton are a well-run club continuing to be well run. By the time their first home EFL match was played, Sutton sat bottom of the league. Like a handful of their League Two contemporaries, Sutton are in their first spell as a Football League side, Forest Green having earned promotion to this level in 2017 and Salford City joining them a couple of years later.

Ex-Carlisle United keeper helps underdogs Sutton United to ... (News & Star)

A former Carlisle United player was the shoot-out hero as League Two underdogs Sutton United reached the Papa John's Trophy final.

Manager Gray said of Bouzanis last night: "He's been superb. The victory over the League One side sees Sutton reach the Wembley final of the controversial Trophy in their first season as an EFL club. Ex-Carlisle United keeper helps underdogs Sutton United to Wembley in Papa john's Trophy

Sutton United excited for 'big day out' (BBC News)

Sutton United manager Matt Gray cannot wait for the club's "big day out" in the Papa John's Trophy final at Wembley.

Sutton United book a date at Wembley in the Papa John's Trophy ... (EFL)

Sutton United are Wembley-bound after the South Londoners booked their place in the Papa John's Trophy Final 2022!

He’d probably be in the first five if he could, but he stood up there for the seventh and smashed it top corner and then pushed one past the post to see us through to Wembley. He’ll be in Sutton’s history forever more. Meanwhile, Latics boss Leam Richardson added: "Congratulations to Sutton, first and foremost. I’m delighted for so many people connected to this special Club – none more so than Bruce Elliott, the Chairman. He’s desperate to see, under his leadership, a Sutton United team play at Wembley and we’ve all achieved that together.

Sutton beat Wigan to reach Trophy final (BBC News)

Sutton United upset Wigan Athletic on penalties to reach the Papa John's Trophy final in their first season as an EFL club.

- Shots "I'm so pleased for them, the fans, the players, the staff. "It means so much to me personally but more importantly for the chairman - 25 plus years as chairman and he wants to see the club at Wembley again under his leadership.

Wigan 1-1 Sutton (6-7 pens): Matt Gray's League Two newcomers ... (Sky Sports)

Sutton United reach final of Papa Johns Trophy in their first season as a Sky EFL club after a 7-6 penalty shootout win over Wigan at the DW Stadium; ...

Sutton captain Craig Eastmond kept his cool to fire home the first, before the Latics were dealt an early blow when Max Power's effort was kept out by Bouzanis. But despite enjoying long spells of possession throughout the second half, they were unable to force a winner. Will Randall had the ball fed into his feet by Donovan Wilson, before he coolly slotted home the opening goal.

Aussie keeper Dean Bouzanis' penalty shoot-out heroics secures ... (Sporting News AU)

Australian goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis proved to be Sutton United's hero as they sealed a spot at Wembley after defeating Wigan Athletic in their Football ...

“If I look after my body, there’s no reason I can’t play till I’m 38 or 39. Sutton's win over Wigan takes them back to Wembley for the first time in 41 years as they look to add another trophy to their cabinet. The Aussie shot-stopper would then step up big time in the subsequent penalty shoot-out as he saved Wigan's first and seventh attempt to secure Sutton's place in the final.

Papa John's Trophy Match Report | Latics 1 Sutton United 1 (6-7 on ... (Wigan Athletic)

Latics exit the Papa John's Trophy at the Semi Final stage following a penalty shootout defeat against Sutton United.

REPORT: Wigan Athletic 1 Sutton United 1 (Sutton win 7-6 on ... (Wigan Today)

Get all of the latest Football news from Wigan Today. Providing fresh perspective online for news across the UK.

James McClean levelled the scores with a rasping drive six minutes before half-time after good work from Tom Pearce. Latics gave the ball away cheaply and Will Randall slotted past Jamie Jones from close range. The League Two outfit had given as good as they'd got during the 90 minutes, against a Latics side packed full of senior players.

Team News | Latics v Sutton United (Wigan Athletic)

Breaking team news from the DW Stadium as Latics take on Sutton United in the Semi Final of the Papa John's Trophy.

Wigan Athletic boss reacts to Sutton United penalty shoot-out ... (Wigan Today)

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"Sometimes you get it right and sometimes you get it wrong. "I just think it's about manners, for Sutton to get to Wembley, it's a great achievement, and we need to show class and say 'well done'. "We respected the competition, we put out a strong side, and we wanted to win the game. "But when it gets to penalties, it's obviously a bit of a lottery and they've hung on for the last 15-20 minutes to take it to penalties. "We expected a tough team, they're very well drilled and they're going well in the league. "When you get that close to Wembley, you can taste it, and that makes it tougher to take.

U's heading to Wembley (Sutton United)

Sutton have reached Wembley for the first time in 41 years with a 7-6 penalty shootout win at Wigan after the sides had drawn 1-1 at the DW.

Having finished the first half under pressure, U's turned things round early in the second half and could have retaken the lead on several occasions. Moments later, though, McClean had equalised when Tom Pearce, again with an equal hint of an equally unintentional handball, controlled a crossfield pass on the left and played the ball inside to McClean, whose thumping drive gave Bouzanis no chance at his near post. Nine minutes later, though, U's had the lead when a free kick from Bouzanis was headed on by Omar Bugiel and expertly laid off by Wilson for Randall, who controlled the ball with a hint of unintentional handball before rolling it past goalkeeper Jamie Jones.

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