Sutton United made it four wins from four competitive games this season with a 2-1 victory over Hartlepool United at Gander Green Lane. Manager Chris Agutter, back on the touchline after a ban, said his team's defensive solidity was the foundation for another hard-fought success.
Agutter described the contest as a "good scrap" and felt his side deserved the points. "I think it was entertaining, but not necessarily from a purist perspective," he said. "It was just a really competitive game between two sides that are obviously early in the season, still trying to find their way."
Temi Babalola was the standout performer, scoring his first competitive goal for the club and troubling the Hartlepool defence throughout. Agutter was effusive in his praise for the striker's overall contribution. "I thought he was absolutely outstanding," the manager said. "He's played well in every game and he's just so effective."
Agutter believes Babalola has the potential to become a prolific scorer with continued development. "He can definitely be that 25-plus-goal-a-season centre-forward," he added, while highlighting the tactical flexibility the player provides alongside David Ogbonna.
There was a significant positive in defence as Alex Kirk made his first competitive appearance since February 2025. Agutter felt it was Kirk's best performance yet during his comeback, describing him as "a proper player". The manager also noted the imminent returns of Charlie Carter and Brandon Njoku as exciting prospects for the squad.
The win means Sutton have conceded just one goal across their opening four fixtures, a statistic Agutter is building upon. "What we want to do this year is going to be built on what we do against the ball defensively," he explained. "In possession, we're well short of our best... But that's exciting because that'll only improve."
He emphasised the collective effort making Gander Green Lane a tough venue. "Nobody's going to come to Gander Green Lane anymore and think this is going to be straightforward," Agutter stated.
With four wins from four, Agutter is pleased the team's actions are matching their pre-season ambitions. "We're building the team to compete at the right end of the table," he said, referencing the pre-match expectation that Hartlepool, as one of the league favourites, would win. "I'm just pleased that our actions are doing the talking at the moment."
The manager was simply glad to be back in the dugout after serving his suspension. "You just feel more connected to the team," Agutter said. "It's great to be back out there and great to share those moments as a team with the supporters."
Sutton United's strong start sees them well-placed in the early standings as they prepare for their next fixture. The squad's depth and returning players can be tracked on the club's squad page.
