The team that came in from the cold with Sutton United earning a warm win over Mansfield Town.

Arriving at the Gander by bike on a wintry night was rewarded by a trip to the club bar for nothing stronger than a diet coke. Though the best drink in the house came later with a hot chocolate from Rose’s. Once I got inside the ground, I took up position behind the goal in a corner near one of the speakers. Out came what can only be described as a banging tune, Palladio by Karl Jenkins. This classical turn reminds that on Saturday another great Sutton team are playing, the Sutton Symphony Orchestra kick off at 7.30 pm on Saturday evening. Tickets are twelve pounds, available on the night if you fancy a classic end to what will I hope to be a win over Barrow.

The first half was no classic football wise but got off to a flyer with Louis John scoring. At the back of my mind was the thought that we’d gone one nil up at Orient and look what happened. Thankfully, no repeat of that. After the goal with the referee stopping and starting what was a game played in the air when Sutton are better with the ball closer to the ground. That said we were the better side while not playing as good as we can. At the half time interval, I went on what felt like a sponsored walk around the ground to keep warm.

The second half was much better with Sutton passing more on the floor but also running hard at the Mansfield defence and going at and taking on players with dazzling runs into the box. A buster of a goal from Buigel set us on our way to victory under the lights.

I looked at the right League table not the National one. We are in Seventh heaven in the EFL2 league. Harrogate are just above us, as a target by season end it would be good to finish in a higher position than the one Harrogate finished when they got promoted to EFL 2. When we play them away next year it will be a damn sight warmer than tonight.