Tamworth 0–1 Sutton United — Enterprise National League — Sat 24 Jan 2026

Andy Peaks was able to welcome Dan Creaney back into the fold less than 24 hours before kick-off, the forward re-joining on a permanent 18-month deal. Peaks made no changes to the side that started at Truro City the previous week and returned from Cornwall with a point.

Sutton arrived at The Lamb Ground positioned just above the relegation places and without a win in five league matches (seven in all competitions), while Tamworth began the day 13th with the opportunity to climb if results elsewhere went their way.

First half

Tamworth started brightly, immediately forcing pressure in the Sutton final third. An early corner was followed by a series of long throws from Tom Tonks that repeatedly tested the visiting defence.

The clearest opening of the half came on six minutes. Jaheim Acquaye did brilliantly down the left to beat his man and drive into the box, firing low across goal. Lynch met it first time, but Sims produced an outstanding reflex save to claw the effort away from close range.

Tamworth continued to probe. Mols broke into the area on 10 minutes but fired straight at Sims, and further corners came and went as the visitors resisted. On 35 minutes, Kurtaran delivered a perfect ball into the box for Mols, who appeared to be pushed from behind as he went to shoot, but the referee waved away penalty appeals.

Sutton’s best chance of the half came late on. Ogbonna worked space down the left and crossed into the area, where a close-range effort forced Singh into a sharp save, pushing the ball over the bar. With both sides trading set-piece pressure, the contest reached half-time goalless.

HT: Tamworth 0–0 Sutton United

Second half

Sutton introduced Tizzard at the break, and the visitors had an early spell of pressure through corners, though Tamworth largely dealt with the deliveries.

At the other end, Fairlamb threaded a ball through to Lynch on 50 minutes. Lynch shifted it past the covering defender and shot low, but Sims was down quickly to smother. Chances remained limited in open play, with the game becoming increasingly physical and stop-start amid several bookings.

Both sides made changes as the second half progressed. Rodari was introduced for Sutton, and on 71 minutes the substitute made the difference. A threaded pass released Simper, who pulled a low ball back into the area, where Rodari arrived to turn home from close range.

Goal: Rodari (71) — Tamworth 0–1 Sutton United

Tamworth pushed for an equaliser, introducing Creaney and Forbes late on, and set-pieces again caused brief moments of danger. Bates made a brave header at the back post from Roberts’ cross on 85 minutes but couldn’t keep it on target, while Sutton defended a series of late deliveries and long throws.

Nine minutes of stoppage time were added. Tamworth thought they had found a leveller in the 97th minute when the ball went into the net, but the flag was raised for offside. The Lambs continued to press until the final whistle, but Sutton held firm to take the points.

FT: Tamworth 0–1 Sutton United

Teams

Tamworth: Singh; Curley, Tonks, Digie, Bates (Ponticelli 89), Fairlamb, Mols (Forbes 79), Cullinane-Liburd ©, Acquaye (Maher 67), Lynch (Creaney 78), Kurtaran (Roberts 67).
Subs: Rye, Donkor.
YC: Tonks 29, Kurtaran 45, Cullinane-Liburd 55, Curley 58, Fairlamb 90+4.

Sutton United: Sims, Tripp (Tizzard HT), Simper (Bell 90+4), Ogbonna (Jones 89), Harris (Rodari 65), Taylor ©, Ecclestone, Jennings, Njoku (Nadesan 66), Toppalaj, Muller.
Subs: Haigh, Eze.
YC: Harris 58, Taylor 75, Rodari 82, Tizzard 90, Ecclestone 90+6.

Referee: Mr George Laflin
Assistants: Mr James Hooper, Mr Ciaran Barlow
Fourth Official: Mr Niall Felton

Attendance: 1,128 (105 from Tamworth)
Man of the Match (Charles Titch): Tom Tonks

Photography: Jay Soundo 

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