Champions crowned and promoted from the National League

The champions were crowned and promoted from the National League on what was the penultimate weekend for the level of football.

League leaders Sutton United went into their game against Hartlepool United on Sunday knowing that they could win the title – and go up to League Two – with win.

Hartlepool would climb into top three with a win, spoiling Sutton’s big day and seeing what could have been a tasty final day with second place Torquay United a few points behind after the Gulls drew 2-2 against Barnet on Saturday.

Not really at the races today, the play offs await #tufc pic.twitter.com/75bEFLXe1Z

— TORQUAYTALK (@TORQUAYTALK) May 22, 2021

On to how the game played out now and there was a big chance for Sutton on the 7th minute, Eastmond was played through and rounded the rushing James before firing over from a tight angle.

Moments after, Featherstone found Sterry on the edge of the box and the Pools defender rattled the post. All action as Rhys Oates and Lewis Cass couldn’t find the target on the follow up.

On the 17th minute, James took out Wilson in an attempt to collect the ball but the referee didn’t give anything. Wilson stayed down.

On the 27th minute, Featherstone collected the ball back off Donaldson and made his way down the byline with some good footwork but he pull back and couldn’t find a Pools player as Sutton clear.

Bugiuel then saw his header from a Sutton corner hit the top side of the bar.

Then Sutton broke the deadlock with a huge goal, Milsom’s free-kick was spilled underneath James and Sutton went 1-0 ahead with 10 minutes of the first half to go.

The Sutton goalkeeper managed a shot from a free-kick inside his own half and ended up going over the bar, would have been some goal if it went in.

The half ended, Rob Milsom’s free-kick put the U’s just 45 minutes away from the Football League, with fans in attended albeit at a limited capacity.

Jouranlist Dominic Scurr summed up the first part of the game: “The hosts deserve their lead just disappointed it’s come about from a Brad James mistake as he spilled Milsom’s free-kick.

“#Pools have had their moments but not able to get their foot on the ball and keep possession.”

Three minutes into the second half, Luke Armstrong had the ball in the net for Hartlepool, but the referee ruled it out for handball, the away side giving it the best shot at trying to stop Sutton going up. A reminder at this point Sutton would need to win to secure League Two football next season. A draw wouldn’t be enough.

Louis John hit the woodwork as Sutton surge forward. 1-0 with 25 minutes to go at this point.

Sutton continued to put pressure on as James pushed over an overhead kick from Wilson. Torquay fans watching back home left biting their nails if they had any left.

John made up for hitting the woodwork, this time the Sutton defender turned in with a volley from a corner to make it 2-0, to surely seal promotion unless Hartlepool made a late comeback.

Minutes remaining of the game and Olaofe turned Liddle inside out before finding the bottom right corner and that’s game over. 3-0 Sutton, they are going up.

The goal that wraps up @TheVanaramaNL title and ends a 123-year wait for league football 🙌

Drink it in @suttonunited, you’ve done it!

Incredible scenes! pic.twitter.com/uXbRyU1q1v

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 23, 2021

History has been made! 😍

🏆 Sutton United are your @Vanarama National League champions pic.twitter.com/YSmskzieg7

— The National League (@TheVanaramaNL) May 23, 2021

The party is just getting started!

Congratulations, @suttonunited 👏 pic.twitter.com/4m2SuFBkfk

— The National League (@TheVanaramaNL) May 23, 2021

Your National League champions 😍 pic.twitter.com/g6hUPDgNP2

— The National League (@TheVanaramaNL) May 23, 2021

Fans reacted as champions Sutton are crowned and promoted from the National League to League Two…

@RyannBuckleyy: Sutton United fifa 22 career mode here we go

@samc83: I’m so purchasing Fifa 22 and taking Sutton from League 2 to winning the premier league

@Harv3yCFC: Massive congratulations guys!

@MikeyBoy17: Congratulations! Well deserved but seeing the way that our season has gone, we’ll probably beat you, the Champions, next Saturday at @TheHiveLondon

@calkane: Made up for you guys, always remember the cup tie back in the 80s at Carrow Road, was working that day such nice fans which made a change then… ENJOY

@Pearcey26: Congratulations to everyone associated with Sutton United. Fantastic achievement

@neilsimms3: Huge congratulations from this #stockportcounty fan. Wonderful underdog story and fully deserved. Outstanding management and performances all season. Enjoy League Two!

@jimmyson82: Congratulations Sutton. Magnificent achievement and good luck next season.

@_paulharrison: Congratulations @suttonunited on your promotion to the football league all @NorwichCityFC fans of a certain age will remember fondly the FA Cup match at Carrow Road in 1989.

@marcusmee: Congratulations @suttonunited from @TUFC1899, hopefully see you next year. Great race

@cmb84scd: Huge congratulations @suttonunited!! Just sad that my Dad was unable to see this day as he sadly died last Oct. Know today would have made him so happy and I too, am absolutely delighted you’ve won the league thus winning promotion!

@tomtom1976: Congratulations from another Torquay fan. The table doesn’t lie and you deserve this. Good luck in the football league and hopefully we meet you again next season

@samc83: Well done Sutton, I look forward to when you make season 21/22 tickets available because I want to be there for this historic occasion in League 2

@goddywestie: We thought the wheels would fall off on your campaign eventually, but they didn’t and so hearty congratulations from us Torquay fans on staying the course. Maybe we’ll see you in the EFL next season. Well done again! #tufc

@cayden_sands: Best of luck from everyone at Guiseley lads, great opponents a few years back.

@michaelastle2: Congratulations on your promotion to the football league from a @ColU_Official supporter look forward to visiting your place next season

@danstevens85: From a Swindon fan, congratulations on your promotion to the EFL. We look forward to seeing you in League Two next season.

@PetesPicPalace: Well done Sutton, I am very proud of what you have achieved. My heart may be at Selhurst Park, but my head is at Gander Green Lane. Fantastic result to end an unbelievable season.

@WillB_2003: Congrats guys, a proper non league club doing us proud

@rockness1: Congratulations from all @FGRFC_Official – IF we don’t win the play offs, looking forward to renewing my trips to Green Gander Lane & welcoming @suttonunited fans to the Greenest club on the planet.

@tachemanovitch: Congratulations and welcome to the EFL. Nice to see another Surrey club in the football league. Very well done.

@jacobitematt: Congratulations Sutton United from a Reading fan. Welcome to the League.

FT 3-0. They’ve done it! SUTTON UNITED ARE A FOOTBALL LEAGUE CLUB! pic.twitter.com/OhsjERGCfI

— Gandermonium (@Gandermonium) May 23, 2021