High five as champions end campaign with win

Their visitors are the only side to beat United in the East Lincs Football Combination Division Two this season, but it was the hosts who got their revenge to sign off in style.

Ryan O’Loughlin, Kieran Rayner-Mistry and Jack Hayes returned to the United squad.

On a pitch made heavy by recent rainfall, the first chance of the game fell to Skegness, but John Courtney was inches away from opening the scoring from a Keaton Grainger cross.

Four minutes later Courtney was again in the action when his shot from 25 yards was just wide of the upright.

United continued to have most of the play during the half but had to be aware of Sutton on the break, with the league’s leading scorer Arron Nurse in the thick of the action.

The best chance of the half came on 40 minutes when Zak Bray was played through, only for his shot to hit the post and be cleared.

United did take the lead which their play deserved when Courtney was played through, delightfully lobbing Sutton keeper Adam Brownson as he came off his line.

Two minutes later United went 2-0 up when a ball from the right was knocked home from 10 yards by Rayner-Mistry.

United started the second half on the attack and two half chances came the way of Courtney, but he could not find the target.

Then on 55 minutes, Bray had a chance but his shot was tipped over by Brownson.

Two minutes later United went three up when, after some good interplay, Courtney released Bray, who slotted home.

Goal number four came on 60 minutes when Jonny Hodson picked up the ball in midfield and went on forceful run before finding space to shoot home from 18 yards into the corner.

Then five minutes later Sutton had their best chance of the match when Nurse found himself in front of goal, however Jack Minor brought of a good save.

On 67 minutes United were awarded a penalty for a foul, but Brownson saved Alex Simpson’s spot kick.

At this stage United made a number of substitutions, with Courtney, Sam Sleight and Alex Kendrick replaced by Jack Hayes, Ashley Read and O’Loughlin.

Sutton were begin to show more of an attacking force and Minor had to pull off another save, this time at the expense of a corner.

On 78 minutes United went 5-0 ahead when Hodson played in Bray, who beat Brownson from 10 yards out.

The visitors got onto the scoresheet when United lost the ball on their right and the unmarked Nurse knocked home his 26th goal of the season.

After the match the Division Two trophy was presented to the United squad by management committee member Pete Goy.

UNITED: J. Minor, Kendrick (Read), Rayner-Mistry, McGuigan, Simpson, Sleight (O’Loughlin), Mansell, Hodson, Grainger, Courtney (Hayes), Bray.

Man of Match: Rhys Mansell.