Cup hangover could scupper Sutton

Saturday 3pm

It was a shame that Sutton United's excellent performance against Premier League Arsenal on Monday was overshadowed by the pie-eating antics of their reserve goalkeeper Wayne Shaw and a disappointing week for the Surrey side could get worse with a defeat at relegation rivals Torquay in the National League.

Sutton's FA Cup run will live long in the memory and has boosted their finances considerably.

But manager Paul Doswell has to get his players to refocus quickly because they face a serious battle to retain fifth-tier status.

The distractions of Sutton's cup run have had a negative impact on their league results with Doswell's side taking just one point from the last four league games and sliding to 17th, three points above the bottom four.

Nine of their ten league wins this season have come on their artificial surface at Gander Green Lane but they struggled to make an impact on their travels and are unlikely to take anything back from their long trip to the English Rivieira.

Torquay's home results - seven wins, four draws and five losses - are keeping them just outside the drop zone.

The Gulls picked up an excellent 0-0 draw at promotion-chasing Barrow last weekend and a return to home comforts should yield a first win in four games.

Aldershot are emerging as serious contenders in the battle for playoff places and can increase the pressure on those around them by defeating mid-table Bromley at the Recreation Ground.

Gary Waddock's Shots are unbeaten in eight league games and have collected 33 points from a possible 48 on home soil.

They haven't lost a home fixture since November and look solid odds-on favourites to overcome 11th-placed Bromley, who have slipped out of promotion contention after back-to-back defeats,
1-0 at home to Solihull Moors and 2-1 at Dagenham & Redbridge.

Recommendations
Torquay
1pt 17-10 Betfred, Hills, Ladbrokes
Aldershot
1pt 5-6 general