Sutton suffered a third consecutive Enterprise National League defeat as they recovered from conceding twice in the first twenty minutes to level things up before half time thanks to two Lewis Simper goals, only for Tamworth to retake the lead within a minute. For all their pressure in the second half with the elements in their favour, Sutton failed to fashion the clear chances that could have produced an equaliser and were left frustrated, and still in the National League’s bottom four.
Tamworth went in front in the 12th minute courtesy of a Sutton error as Harry Phipps failed to get enough on a header back to Jack Sims, giving Tyler Roberts the chance to reach the ball first before being brought down by U’s keeper, who was booked and then went the wrong way for Joe Riley’s penalty. Sutton might have levelled when Jayden Harris’s low curling effort was heading just inside the post before Jas Singh pushed it wide, but instead were two down when, having comfortably dealt with two long throws from Tom Tonks, they allowed Roberts to get his head to the next one and send the ball bouncing past Sims in to the net.
Tamworth were rocked by an injury to Haydn Hollis, who picked up a knock after just five minutes but got through nearly to the half hour mark before again needing treatment and eventually being replaced, but while he was off the pitch and Tamworth were down to ten men Simper pulled a goal back when he played a short corner to Harris, received the return and sent a low cross-cum-shot which evaded everyone and ended up in the far corner of the net.
Sims made a superb save to tip from over a Roberts shot after U’s had failed to clear a cross from the left, and his efforts were rewarded as U’s levelled eight minutes before the break. Edon Pruti, back in the side after injury caused a late withdrawal at Altrincham, sent a long ball forward and Simper’s pressure forced an error from Alfie Bates that allowed him to shoot low past the stranded Singh. U’s supporters had barely finished celebrating, though, when Roberts escaped on the right and pulled a pass back for Manny Duku, who restored the visitors’ lead.
Sutton had a strong wind on their backs in a rain soaked second half, but despite plenty of promise there was little end product. Harris shot straight at Singh, and both he and Simper miskicked in a goalmouth scramble, while substitute David Ogbonna sent in a dangerous cross which grazed the face of the crossbar and sent another shot just wide from the edge of the penalty area. Sims had little to do in the second half beyond trying to start Sutton attacks, but the visitors held out for victory on another disappointing afternoon for Sutton.
Sutton: J Sims, A Jones(sub D De Silva 64), L Vincent, J Taylor, H Phipps, E Pruti(sub D Ogbonna 64), J Wadham, L Simper, J Harris(Sub B Njoku 78), A Nadesan, S Odelusi(sub J Eccleston 64). Subs n/u D Aziaya, W Tizzard, N Boutin. Booked: Sims, Wadham.
Tamworth: J Singh, K Donkor, H Hollis(sub J Rye 30), T Tonks(sub B Milnes 71), K Digie, A Bates, T Roberts, J Riley(sub O Lynch 84), M Duku(sub S Mols 84), B Enoru(sub T McGlinchey 71), L Fairlamb. Subs n/u M Curley, H Sayer. Booked: Roberts, Rye, Digie.
Referee: Andrew Miller
Attendance: 2194 (89 away)
