Sutton Utd vs Horsham

Horsham, playing their fifth friendly of pre-season, started brightly and twice had chances to take the lead. Charlie Hester-Cook curled over the bar from a throw-in routine in the fifth minute, and Ashley Nadesan and Jamie Yila combined to squander a clear opportunity when clean through on goal ten minutes in.

Sutton made them pay. In the 19th minute, a long ball from Charlie Bell on the right flank was headed back into the centre of the box by Besart Topallaj. Babalola launched himself into an acrobatic overhead kick that flew past the Horsham trialist goalkeeper — a finish Agutter later described as worthy of a Premier League goal of the season contender.

Horsham had a chance to level when James Hammond's free kick from the edge of the D forced a sharp save from Spike Brits at his right post. But the Hornets again failed to capitalise on a counter-attacking opportunity just past the half-hour, and Sutton punished them again.

A slick move from back to front released full-back Noah Nzuzi down the right flank. His low cross across the six-yard box was turned in by Babalola at the far post — a goal as simple as his first had been extraordinary.

Sutton nearly added a third before the interval when Jermaine Francis beat Archie Taylor on the outside and picked out Babalola at the far post, but his scuffed hat-trick attempt fell to Bell, who blasted over from close range.

Horsham's failure to convert two clear-cut chances in the opening 20 minutes fundamentally shaped the game. Manager Chris Agutter acknowledged his side's slow start but credited the recovery: "Started slow. Spikes made a couple of really good saves… it was more for us being a bit sloppy. But what we did do was recover dangerous positions incredibly well." Once Babalola's first goal went in, the momentum never shifted back.

Temi Babalola (Sutton United) — Man of the match. Two goals either side of the half-hour, the first a contender for pre-season's finest strike. Agutter called him "a beast," adding: "He allows you to get the ball forward without it being perfect. He turns bad balls into good balls." The striker, who scored four goals in 24 appearances for Forest Green last season, has now scored in two consecutive pre-season games.

Spike Brits (Sutton United) — The goalkeeper made a crucial save from Hammond's free kick at 1-0, keeping the lead intact. Agutter described it as "an unbelievable save."

Noah Nzuzi (Sutton United) — The academy graduate provided the assist for Babalola's second goal with a surging run and pinpoint cross. Agutter praised his versatility: "He's played two or three positions really well over pre-season."

Will Nightingale and Sam Kirk (Sutton United) — The centre-back pairing, both returning from injury problems, were "excellent to defend the penalty box," according to Agutter.

Sutton's two goals came from four shots on target in the first half, a conversion rate that flattered their overall control. The first goal was a moment of individual brilliance from an xG perspective — a finish that would sit near zero probability. Horsham, by contrast, created at least two high-quality chances they failed to convert, an issue that will concern manager Dominic Di Paola as the Isthmian League season approaches. Sutton's second-half control was total, with the hosts managing the game without sustained pressure.

Sutton United have now won two pre-season friendlies (2-0 vs Horsham, 1-1 vs Walton & Hersham, 2-1 vs AFC Wimbledon) and look well set for the 2026/27 National League campaign. Babalola's form suggests the new striker will be central to Agutter's plans. Horsham suffered their first defeat of pre-season after four games without a loss. The Hornets host Crystal Palace U21 on Tuesday 28 July before travelling to Worthing on Saturday 1 August ahead of the Isthmian League Premier Division season.

A pre-season friendly decided by one moment of outstanding quality and one team's ruthless finishing against another's profligacy. Sutton's defensive solidity and Babalola's emerging partnership with the attacking unit are the most encouraging signs for Agutter. Horsham will be encouraged by their ability to create chances against a National League side but must sharpen their finishing before the real season begins.