One game from glory for Staines Town

Apr 29 2009 By John Whitbread, Staines News

RYMAN PREMIER PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL Staines Town..........................3 Sutton United...............0

FOR the second year in succession Staines have the chance to earn a place in Blue Square South following a convincing victory over Sutton last night (Tuesday).

The hosts controlled the early exchanges, and almost got off to an electric start when a curling free-kick from Chris Watters clipped off the Sutton crossbar in the first minute.

But a 22nd-minute strike from Howard Newton gave Swans a 1-0 half-time lead, when he had the simplest of tasks to score after good work from Richard Butler and Leroy Griffiths.

The lively Butler was then forced out of the game with what looked like a serious ankle injury.

But the hosts doubled their advantage within a minute of the restart when a superb throughball from Darti Brown set Griffiths through to fire home.

It stayed that way until five minutes from time.

Swans, who were reprieved a frantic finish by an instinctive save by Louis Wells, finally sealed matters when substitute Ali Chaaban robbed a defender to smash the ball into the net.

A jubilant Swans boss Steve Cordery said: "We've given ourselves a chance to wipe out the hurt that has lasted a year since that heartbreaking defeat to AFC Wimbledon.

"We've worked so hard we're not going to let it go now."

Staines host Carshalton in the final on Saturday after they beat Tonbridge Angels 3-2.