Boxing Day Fight Back
Sutton United produced a stunning second-half comeback to overturn a two-goal deficit and claim a memorable 3-2 victory away at Chelmsley Town in their final match of 2025.
The hosts looked to be in control after early goals from Will Marshall and Charlie Noakes gave Chelmsley a commanding first-half advantage. However, Sutton pulled a goal back before the break and then a tactical switch transformed the contest, as Sutton dominated the second half and struck twice in quick succession to take all three points back to Sutton Coldfield.
Chelmsley started brightly, with Dante Hesson firing narrowly wide of the far post inside the opening minutes. Their early energy paid off in the 5th minute, when Harry Jackson squared the ball across goal for Marshall to convert from close range and give the hosts the lead.
Sutton grew into the game and began to create chances of their own. Sam Jeeves showed quick feet to spin inside the box before seeing his effort well saved by Chelmsley goalkeeper Connor Hill. Hill was again called into action moments later, scrambling Harry Manton’s 20-yard drive behind for a corner, while Oli Jeeves dragged a shot wide as he attempted to beat the keeper at his near post.
At the other end, Louie O’Connor forced a fine save from Greg Lewis, who tipped his long-range effort over the bar. Nevertheless, Chelmsley doubled their lead from the resulting corner on 34 minutes, as Lewis saved the initial header, but Noakes reacted to bury the rebound from close range.
Sutton responded immediately, and just two minutes later Joe Delaney delivered a pinpoint cross to the back post where Oli Jeeves rose to head past Hill and give the Greens a vital lifeline before the break.
United nearly equalised before half-time when Sam Jeeves curled a shot from a tight angle that clipped the crossbar.
A change in shape and the introduction of Leyton Hines at half-time saw Sutton switch to two up front, and the impact was immediate. United dominated possession and pressed Chelmsley back for long spells.
Dylan Green went close with a low effort through a crowded penalty area that Hill did well to gather, before Delaney struck a powerful drive from distance that skimmed just wide of the post.
The pressure continued to build, and Sutton finally got their reward in the 73rd minute. Ollie Burgundy won a free kick on the edge of the box and then stepped up to curl a sensational set piece around the wall and into the top corner for his fifth goal of the season.
The turnaround was complete within twenty seconds of the restart, as Aidan Mee broke down the right wing and squared across the face of goal for Oli Jeeves to tap home his second of the match and secure his fourth goal in five days. The strike also continued Jeeves’ fine record against his former club, having scored his first two Sutton goals in the same fixture last season.
Chelmsley struggled to respond in the second half as Sutton remained compact and disciplined. There was, however, a crucial moment in the 86th minute when centre-back Matt Bishop produced an outstanding challenge to deny Kyle Hayden a clear run on goal and preserve United’s lead.
The victory brings a highly successful year to a close for Sutton United’s first team and provides strong momentum heading into 2026. The Greens begin the new year at home against Lutterworth Athletic on Saturday 3rd January with a 3pm kick off.
Team: Chelmsley Town
1. Connor Hill
2. Dan Scott-Taggart
3. Joshua Wykes
4. Charlie Noakes
5. Henry Walker – 46’ Kyle Hayden
6. Barry Fitzharris (c)
7. Harry Jackson
8. Louie O’Connor – 78’ James McGrane
9. Luke Keen – 78’ Liam McCullagh
10. Dante Hesson
11. Will Marshall
Sub unused: Harry Jennings, Cheirry Barry
Management/Assistants:
Steve Solomon
Gary Danks
Kevin Wagstaff
Ryan Kimberley
Team: Sutton United
1. Greg Lewis
2. Aidan Mee
3. Harry Manton – 46’ Leyton Hines
4. Matt Bishop
5. Lewis Wall
6. Lewis Hayden
7. Ollie Burgundy – 88’ Jonny Grigg
8. Sam Jeeves – 63’ Dylan Green
9. Oli Jeeves – 92’ Jake Lamb
10. Tom Massey – 63’ Harry Howard
11. Joe Delaney
Management/Assistants:
Richard Heath
Harry Tuffield
Aidan Jeynes
Marcus Davies
Evija Stauga
Match Officials: Simon King, Darren Dickson, Farisullah Jan
| Chelmsley Town | Statistics | Sutton United |
| 2 | Goals | 3 |
| 6 | Attempts | 17 |
| 5 | Attempts on Target | 9 |
| 29% | Possession | 71% |
| 3 | Corners | 11 |
| 10 | Fouls Committed | 8 |
| 3 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| Club Man of the Match | Oli Jeeves | |
| Luke Keen | Opp Man of the Match |