Sutton United’s win at Concord Rangers was all down to a tactical change in the heart of the pitch, says boss Paul Doswell.
Craig Dundas and Tom Bolarinwa (two) got the goals that saw United to a 3-0 National League South win in Essex on Saturday.
It was a very different result from the previous week when Rangers ran out comfortable 3-1 winners in the FA Trophy – although that may be a moot issue as Rangers face expulsion from the competition for fielding an ineligible player.
Doswell said: “Tactically we were spot on. The week before we went with a team that had beaten Havant by being big and strong, and Concord dealt with us comfortably.
A Sutton United front: Doswell won the tactical battle of Concord Rangers hands down
“We changed to a diamond formation, dropping the wingers, and went for more of a passing game.”
He added: “Craig Eastmond sat at the fulcrum of the diamond, Tommy Wright made his debut at the head of the diamond, and then we had Craig Dundas and Bedsente Gomis - that’s where we won the game, in the midfield battle.”
He added: “The lads were all 7/8 out of 10. Concord had beaten Basingstoke 5-0 and Weston-super-Mare 4-0, so they had been on a fantastic run of form.”
Meanwhile, Doswell revealed he had been contacted by Concord boss Adam Flanagan on Tuesday when the FA announced its investigations into the fielding of an ineligible player.
Jordon Cox was on loan at the Beach Boys from Braintree Town, and he scored in the 3-1 win over United.
The club’s chairman, Anthony Smith, told the Essex Echo: “We signed Jordan [Cox] on a three-month loan from Braintree, and had permission from his club to play him in the FA Trophy.
“What I didn’t know was that if you want to play a loan player in the competition you have to tell the FA and send in the relevant paperwork.
“Chris [the club secretary] was away so I was doing the paperwork and I wasn’t aware of that.”
Doswell said: “It’s a basic error on their part – I think they will get thrown out and we’ll be reinstated and we’ll play Lowestoft, but I don’t know when.
“For us it is fortunate, for them it is unfortunate as they were better team on the day.”
Happy days: United mob Craig Dundas after his goal on Saturday
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