Sutton United’s dream run in the FA Cup came to and end on Monday evening after losing 2-0 to Arsenal in the fifth round at Gander Green Lane.
ADVERTISEMENTSutton United’s dream run in the FA Cup came to and end on Monday evening after losing 2-0 to Arsenal in the fifth round at Gander Green Lane.
The non-league side, which is made up of a mix of amateurs and pros, had beaten Wimbledon and Leeds United to get to this stage of the competition.
But Arsenal proved one step too far although Sutton, who are 105 places below them on English football’s ladder, put in a brave performance.
Lucas Perez opened up the scoring for the Gunners on 26 minutes while Theo Walcott doubled the lead 10 minutes after the break for his 100th Arsenal goal.
Sutton did manage to threaten on occasion.
The club’s standout player Roarie Deacon provided the biggest thrill for the home supports.
His driving effort from 25 yards out had Arsenal keeper David Ospina rooted, but the cross bar was not to be denied.
Arsenal’s win has set up a home quarter-final with another National League side, Lincoln City.
Full set of photos from
suttonunited</a> vs <a href="https://twitter.com/Arsenal">Arsenal in theEmiratesFACup</a> are now online to view here. <a href="https://t.co/lb6CfmLo21">https://t.co/lb6CfmLo21</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NonLeaguePaper">NonLeaguePaper— Stuart Tree (@StuartTree) 21 février 2017
The only dark cloud to emerge from Sutton’s evening is an investigation into their reserve goalkeeper Wayne Shaw, who was caught eating a pasty in the 83rd minute when all the subs had been used.
The 127kg Shaw, nicknamed the ‘Roly Poly Goalie’ is known to be a bit of a joker, but now faces possible action from the Gambling Commission and the English FA after it emerged that a betting company had offered odds on him doing such a stunt.
The 46-year old later admitted to knowing about the bookmakers’ odds and the day after the match agreed to leave the club.
Wayne Shaw asked to resign by Sutton United. Has agreed and will leave the club.
Magic of the FA Cup indeed! pic.twitter.com/cXxgxSaBOb
— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) 21 février 2017