Sutton United end their home campaign in 2024 on Saturday, with the visit of Tamworth in the Vanarama National League.

The Opposition

Tamworth are a side who have enjoyed a rapid rise up non-league, and have found themselves competing at fifth tier level after achieving back-to-back promotions.

With Andy Peaks at the helm, the Lambs would rack up 89 points to win the Southern League Premier Central on goal difference, before an even more successful campaign saw them four shy of a century of points in the National League South during 2023/24, which meant they would compete in the fifth tier for the first time after a 15-year absence.

Spearheaded by top scorer Dan Creaney up front, Tamworth have competed well in the National League this season with the likes of Tom Tonks leading from midfield and goalkeeper Jasbir Singh earning plenty of plaudits between the sticks, and the Lambs currently sit 16th in the division. Meanwhile, their exploits in the FA Cup has seen them rise to national attention, with upsets over Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion setting up a Third Round tie with Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur.

Recent Form

Rochdale 3-0 Tamworth

Tamworth 1-1 York City

Hartlepool United 1-1 Tamworth

Burton Albion 1-1 Tamworth

Tamworth 2-1 Dagenham & Redbridge

Tamworth 1-5 Sunderland Academy

The Manager

Andy Peaks

Former AFC Rushden and Diamonds boss Andy Peaks has been in the Tamworth dugout since February 2022, and has enjoyed huge success at the Lamb Ground during his short stay so far.

Having begun his coaching career with spells as assistant manager at AFC Long Buckby and Daventry Town, Peaks would continue his run as assistant when he joined Mark Starmer’s management team in May 2012 at Rushden, bringing a wealth of United Counties League experience as well as his notable career history with the Diamonds where he was eighth in their all-time appearance list, having played 205 times for the club between 1992 and 1997.

He would take over control of first team affairs in a caretaker role following Starmer’s resignation in March 2014, and was installed on a permanent basis a month later, guiding the club to a League and Cup Double in the United Counties League in his first full season at the helm. Peaks then led them to the play-offs twice before winning promotion to Step 3 at the end of the 2017/18 season.

He would go on to spend a total of nine years as manager of Rushden, departing in February 2022 when he joined Tamworth. He would enjoy near instant success at the Lamb Ground, initially enjoying an unbeaten run until the end of his first season. He would go on to guide the club to a comfortable tenth place finish before overseeing back-to-back title-winning campaigns, with the Lambs rising from the Southern League Division Central to the National League in just two seasons under Peaks’ watch.

One to Watch

Nathan Tshikuna

A shining light for the Lambs this season, Sutton know first hand how dangerous Nathan Tshikuna can be after his goal on the opening day of the season, and has stepped up in their maiden campaign at fifth tier level.

The 25-year old began his career at MK Dons where he represented their Under-15 side, before moving to Norwich City where he rose through the ranks. He would later drop into non-league in search of first team opportunities, turning out for Aylesbury United, New Bradwell St Peter, Buckingham Athletic, Bedford Town, Kempston Rovers, Barton Rovers, AFC Rushden and Diamonds and Royston Town, before making the switch to Tamworth ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Tshikuna has gone from strength to strength since arriving at the Lamb Ground, linking midfield and attack with his powerful running, as well as contributing nine goals in the club’s title-winning campaign which saw Andy Peaks side complete a second promotion in as many seasons. The midfielder has continued his fine form after reaching the National League, getting off the mark on opening day when he struck late on against the U’s, and has now racked up eight goals and three assists in all competitions.

Last Time We Met

A stoppage time equaliser from Josh Coley saw Sutton start the Vanarama National League season with a point at promoted Tamworth, who looked as though they had grabbed a first victory when Nathan Tshikuna punished a poor Steve Arnold clearance with six minutes left.

It was a hard-fought game but with few clear chances, particularly in the first half, and in the end a draw was probably a fair result.

Relive the victory here.

Head-to-Head

Tamworth 1-1 Sutton United (10/08/24)

Played for Both

Jessy Reindorf

French-born striker Jessy Reindorf spent his early career playing in Italy, France and Belgium before moving to England and signing for Bury in July 2013. After scoring for the Shakers in the League Cup against Norwich City, he left midway through the season and in February joined Tamworth, scoring four goals in eight games.

He would later sign for Sutton United in the summer of 2014 and scored six goals in 16 games, with a promising Sutton career soon being cut short when he was taken ill during a training session in November. Although he made a full recovery, he opted to return to Belgium, later also turning out in Moldova and France.

Reindorf is also an international, featuring a handful of times for Rwanda including in the 2013 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.