Defeat But Not Out!
Sutton United rounded off an impressive 2025/26 league campaign with a home defeat to Leicester St Andrews, as manager Neil Tooth rotated heavily ahead of upcoming playoffs.
Having already secured third place and a crucial home semi-final, Tooth opted to make 10 changes to his starting 11, handing out opportunities across the squad. There were first team appearances of the season for goalkeeper Bobby Brittan and Reserves captain Charlie Busst, while youngster Tyrese Weekes stepped up for his third appearance this campaign. The match also marked senior debuts for his fellow Under 21 teammates, Alfie Bromley and Ethan Reynolds.
Leicester St Andrews needed a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive, and they started on the front foot to put Sutton under some early pressure. It wasn’t long before Brittan was called into action, dealing confidently with a flurry of corners from the visitors.
United’s back line, featuring Jon Grigg, Harry Manton, Tion Pearce and James Gallagher stood firm under pressure, with Brittan producing two outstanding saves early on. First, he tipped over a powerful strike from Cory Bucalossi, before reacting brilliantly to deny Thomas Harris from close range.
However, the breakthrough arrived in the 24th minute, when James Merriman rose highest to head home from a corner, finally converting from Leicester’s set-piece pressure.
And just six minutes later they doubled their lead, as James Snedden curled a superb 20-yard free kick over the wall and into the top corner.
For Sutton, they grew into the match, finding their rhythm as the half progressed, with their best opportunity falling to Isai Marselia, who forced a save at the near post from Leicester goalkeeper Charlie Andrews, with the angle proving too tight for the Sutton front man.
United carried that momentum into the second half and nearly pulled one back when Busst picked out Dylan Green, whose effort from the edge of the box crashed against the crossbar.
Despite Sutton’s improvement, Leicester struck again in the 51st minute, as a swift counterattack down the left ended with an early delivery into the box, where Nathan McGarrity found the net with a clinical finish to make it three.
Green remained lively for Sutton, going close again after being released by Sam Jeeves, but his final effort went over the bar after a positive burst into the penalty box.
The Drews created fewer chances this half but nearly added a fourth late on, only for Joseph Ball to volley wide from close range after a dangerous cross from Evan Kane.
Despite the result, there were plenty of positives for United to take, particularly the performances of players coming into the squad and emerging youngsters, underlining the club’s strength in depth.
Attention now turns to the playoff semi final on Saturday 25th April, where Sutton will look to build on a strong season and take the next step in their promotion push.
Team: Sutton United
1. Bobby Brittan – 90+1’ Aidan Jeynes
2. Jonny Grigg
3. Harry Manton – 63’ Alfie Bromley
4. Tion Pearce
5. James Gallagher
6. Sam Jeeves (c) – 68’ Ethan Clarke
7. Leyton Hines
8. Charlie Busst
9. Oli Jeeves – 68’ Tyrese Weekes
10. Isai Marselia
11. Dylan Green – 68’ Ethan Reynolds
Management/Assistants:
Neil Tooth, Phil Male
Evija Stauga, Derek Culling
Team: Leicester St Andrews
1. Charlie Andrews
2. Archie Wood – 68’ Evan Kane
3. James Snedden – 56’ Harry Keenan
4. Damien McCrory (c)
5. Cory Bucalossi
6. Zakari Adams – 75’ Gregory Mills
7. Thomas Harris
8. Nathan McGarrity – 68’ Joseph Ball
9. James Merriman
10. Richard Black
11. Matthew Dennis – 64’ Andy Melville
Management/Assistants:
Ross Perkins, Shaun Barber
Lee Gibson, Jake Ball
Asustu Pranesh
Match Officials: Darryl Hambridge, Connor Brooks, Joel Kinghorn
| Sutton United | Statistics | Leicester St Andrews |
| 0 | Goals | 3 |
| 7 | Attempts | 13 |
| 2 | Attempts on Target | 8 |
| 41% | Possession | 59% |
| 2 | Corners | 8 |
| 6 | Fouls Committed | 7 |
| 2 | Yellow Cards | 0 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| Opp Man of the Match | Zakari Adams |