16.09.2025 Vs Cradley Town

Sutton Battle Back to Beat the Hammers


Sutton United fought back to earn a dramatic late win in a gritty performance away at Cradley Town.

The Greens had to come from behind to claim a hard-fought 2-1 victory in a match that tested their resolve and character.

The hosts started brightly and posed several problems for a Sutton side that looked unusually unsettled at the back in the early stages. In just the 4th minute, Cradley’s Callum North, found himself through on goal following a mistimed back pass, but blazed his effort over the bar with only the keeper to beat.

North remained a persistent threat, winning a free kick just two minutes later, before stepping up to strike the 24-yard set-piece into the Sutton wall. Moments after, Max Morris went even closer with a crisp volley from the edge of the area, forcing Sutton goalkeeper, Gabe Newey, into a superb fingertip save over the crossbar.

Cradley’s persistence eventually told in the 25th minute. A long clearance from goalkeeper James Crump caught Sutton’s back line flat-footed, allowing North to burst in behind. Although Newey made an excellent initial stop, North reacted quickly to recover the ball and deliver a cross to the back post, where Kane Harrold nodded home into an empty net to give the Hammers a deserved lead.

Despite the early setback, Sutton responded with real character. Joe Gildea went close, glancing a header narrowly over from a Sam Jeeves corner as they began to push forward.

The equaliser came on 39 minutes, when Lewis Hayden picked up the ball and embarked on a determined solo run, threading his way through several defenders before coolly slotting home his first goal for the club. The Cradley appeals for handball in the build-up were waved away after the referee consulted with his assistant.

The second half began with drama as Ethan Bustin found himself bearing down on Sutton’s goal following a fortunate ricochet, but Aidan Mee’s perfectly timed challenge denied the Cradley forward a clean shot on goal.

Sutton had made three changes at the interval, introducing James Gallagher, Oli Jeeves and Dylan Green, which brought renewed energy to the side, and it wasn’t long before Gildea saw a free kick glance off the crossbar. Oli Jeeves then forced a strong save at the near post, after neat build-up play involving Mee and an excellent delivery from Ollie Burgundy.

United continued to press and limited Cradley’s second-half opportunities. Harrold had the hosts best chance of the half, sending a low drive just wide of the upright.

Sutton were looking more composed and their perseverance paid off in the 82nd minute, when Green carried the ball purposefully from midfield into the Cradley box and, although his initial effort was parried by Crump, Oli Jeeves reacted quickest to slot home from close range, with his second goal in as many games, to complete United’s comeback.

There was late drama in stoppage time when confusion surrounded a free kick awarded inside the area after Crump picked up a back pass. Once order was restored, Gildea saw his effort from the indirect kick drift wide, but Sutton held firm through the final minutes to record an important win on the road.

It was a gritty and determined performance from United, who showed real character to weather an early storm and finish the stronger side. The win keeps momentum building as they prepare for another tricky away day on Saturday 20th September against AFC North Kilworth.

Team: Cradley Town
1. James Crump
2. Harry Griffiths
3. Kieran Price
4. Ethan Bustin – 86’ Charlie Bache
5. Oliver Jones
6. Joshua Hinds
7. Jamie Underhill
8. Max Morris (c) – 75’ Cameron Milne
9. Callum North – 78’ Evangel Oppong
10. Kane Harrold – 80’ Jared Daniels
11. Cole Wells
Unused sub: Fletcher Marsh

Management/Assistants:
Matt Clark
Aaron Morris
Jason Aimiuwu
Lee Slater
Lucy Jelf

Team: Sutton United
1. Gabe Newey
2. Tion Pearce
3. Aidan Mee
4. Matt Bishop – 46’ Dylan Green
5. Lewis Wall
6. Lewis Hayden
7. Sam Jeeves – 46’ James Gallagher
8. Tom Massey (c) – 83’ Jon Grigg
9. Joe Gildea
10. Ollie Burgundy – 69’ Leyton Hines
11. Harry Howard – 46’ Oli Jeeves

Management/Assistants:
Richard Heath
Liam Burke
Aidan Jeynes
Marcus Davies
Evija Stauga

Match Officials: Kladji Shkurta, Stephen Castle, Carl Dixon

Cradley TownStatisticsSutton United
1Goals2
8Attempts9
4Attempts on Target5
46%Possession54%
3Corners4
12Fouls Committed12
1Yellow Cards2
0Red Cards0
Kane HarroldOpp Man of the MatchTom Massey