Sutton United v Horsham
Tuesday 9th March 2010
Ryman League Premier Division
Gander Green Lane, Sutton
kick-off: 7.45pm

Admission prices
Adults: £10
Senior citizen: £5
U16s: £3

PREVIEW:
Steve Sargent misses Tuesday's visit to Sutton United after suffering a dead leg during the weekend defeat to Tooting & Mitcham that threatens to rule him out of the Hornets' next 4 matches. His injury is a major blow to the club's promotion push and will force John Maggs in to another rethink as he tries to shuffle his diminishing pack, although the side will be strengthened by the return of Alex Haddow after a 3 match absence. Anthony Acheampong's cameo appearance in the centre of midfield proved unsuccessful on Saturday so Maggs could be forced to use his utility man, Ben Andrews, in that position although Adam Hutchings remains an option after impressing in the recent matches against Kingstonian and Ashford.

There are further concerns over the fitness of Sam Tucknott, who will face a test on a strained hamstring before Maggs names his squad, but the news is more encouraging on the recent arrival from Bognor. "Sam had a few problems with his hamstring at Bognor, which is basically why he was in and out of their side," revealed Maggs, "but he assures me that this isn't the same injury and he may well be okay by the morning so we'll have to see how it goes. Unfortunately there isn't much recovery time at the moment, what with us having to play every 2 or 3 days, so we have to be very careful with the players. We know we've got a small squad so we can't go risking long-term injuries when we've got so many games to fit in between now and the end of the season."

Sutton would appear to have a relatively clean bill of health after Saturday's goalless draw with Maidstone United that extended their unbeaten league run to 8 matches. The Us have been beaten 5 times on their own pitch this season, by Canvey Island (1-2), Boreham Wood (0-1), Dartford (0-3), Tooting & Mitcham (1-2) and Ashford Town (2-4) but their failure to find the net at the weekend was their first blank at Gander Green Lane since October when Waltham Abbey recorded an identical scoreline.

Sutton's recent fine form has seen them make steady progress up the table where they currently sit in 4th place, 2 places and 4 points above a Horsham side that recorded their first ever league success over the Surrey club courtesy of Claude Seanla's solitary goal at Gorings Mead in August's feisty encounter. Horsham collected a financially damaging 7 bookings in that match, and saw coach Mark Hawthorne sent to the stands, while Sutton picked up 4 cautions in a match that was seldom dirty but neither side can afford to suffer the same punishment and risk suspensions to key players as the games continue to come thick and fast in the countdown to the end of the season.

Travel arrangements for 'away' supporters

RAIL
Nearest station: West Sutton
West Sutton railway Station is adjacent to the ground. It is served by Thameslink trains via Wimbledon or Sutton. Come out of West Sutton station and turn right into Gander Green Lane and the ground is about 100 yards further along.

CAR
Exit M25 at junction 8 then head north on the A217 for about 15-20 minutes. Ignoring signs for Sutton itself, stay on the A217 to the traffic lights by the Gander Inn (on the left), turn right into Gander Green Lane. The Borough Sports Ground is about 200 yards up this road on the left hand side, if you reach West Sutton station you have gone too far.

Last 7 meetings (exc friendlies)
2009/0 Horsham 2 Sutton Utd 1 (League Cup)
2009/0 Horsham 1 Sutton Utd 0 (Ryman League)
2008/9 Sutton Utd 2 Horsham 1 (Ryman League)
2008/9 Horsham 1 Sutton Utd 2 (Ryman League)
1976/7 Horsham 1 Sutton Utd 0 (FA Trophy)
1974/5 Sutton Utd 2 Horsham 1 (London Senior Cup)
1974/5 Sutton Utd 2 Horsham 2 (London Senior Cup)