29.08.2026 Vs Runcorn Town

Both teams arrived with three wins from three, but it was the hosts who maintained their 100 percent record after a fast and clinical second-half display.

The Greens produced an excellent first-half performance and created several clear chances, but a late equaliser on the stroke of half-time proved a turning point as Runcorn grew in confidence and took control after the break.

The match began brightly, with Sutton immediately threatening through captain Tom Massey, whose early strike was well saved by Runcorn goalkeeper Billy Davies. The hosts responded with a dangerous attack in the 21st minute, when Kieran Alley’s cross from the left found Connor Spiers stretching to send his strike just wide.

From that point Sutton began to assert some repeated pressure on their opposition. Massey and Red Simmons both forced strong saves from Davies, who was in inspired form throughout the afternoon. The best chance of the half arrived on the half hour, when Massey slipped Jayden Hunter through on goal, only for Davies to deny him at close range. Simmons then squared the rebound to Jordan Clement, but his effort from the edge of the box flew over the bar. The pressure continued as Jake Wilkes picked out Hunter with a positive pass forward, and the striker spun sharply and fired goalwards, but Davies again produced an outstanding save, with Simmons’ follow-up blocked at the near post by Emmanuel Sholabi. 

Sutton’s deserved breakthrough arrived in the 35th minute when Luke Childs found Massey at the edge of the area, and the captain struck a superb low drive into the bottom corner to give the Greens the lead.

Runcorn were handed a lifeline six minutes later when they were awarded a penalty, but Greg Lewis produced a brilliant save to his right, to deny Town captain Liam Kennington. However, Sutton’s hard work was undone in the final seconds of the half, when a corner was headed back across goal for Runcorn, and Sam Flower finished at the back post to level the score at the break.

The late equaliser energised Runcorn, who emerged strongly after the restart. Lewis was called into action twice in quick succession, saving at his near post from Spiers and then Flower. The hosts took the lead in the 65th minute, when Spiers won possession near the halfway line and drove forward before releasing Jamie Apperley on the right, who finished clinically across Lewis to make it 2-1.

Six minutes later, Runcorn added a third with their best move of the match. A quick passing sequence down the left was finished superbly by Spiers, who produced a clever turn and curled a precise shot in off the far post to extend their advantage. Sutton pushed to find a way back, but Runcorn defended resolutely. Flower made two crucial blocks in the 73rd minute, first denying Massey from 18 yards and then recovering to stop Jay Clement’s follow-up.

Debuts were handed to new signing Jack White and Under-21 forward Cian Tevlin, both of whom added energy when they came on in the second half.

Sutton’s best chance to reduce the deficit came when Joe Gildea threaded a wonderful pass through the centre for Oli Jeeves, who burst into the box but drilled his shot narrowly wide.

This was not the result Sutton had hoped for, and the long journey down the M6 felt even longer on the return. However, the performance, particularly in the first half, showed plenty of chances created, and the Greens will have an immediate opportunity to respond with a Bank Holiday fixture at home to Tividale on Monday 31st August, kick off 3pm at Coleshill Road Stadium.

Team: Runcorn Town 1. Billy Davies 2. Emmanuel Sholabi 3. Adam Palfrey – 88’ Tom Farrall 4. Charlie Harland 5. Jamie Apperley 6. Ed Burthem 7. Kieran Alley – 77’ Ethan Mercer 8. Liam Kennington (c) 9. Connor Spiers - 85’ Shar Lewis 10. Luke Nicholls – 65’ Alex Jones 11. Sam Flower

Unused Sub: Will Ebbrell

Management/Assistants: Liam Page, Darren Moore, Dean Kennington, Dean Smith, Nick Harland, Alan Knell

Team: Sutton United 1. Greg Lewis 2. Jake Wilkes – 57’ Jay Clement 3. Luke Childs 4. Tion Pearce 5. Lewis Wall 6. Jordan Clement – 66’ Jack White 7. Jack Sang – 87’ Cian Tevlin 8. Lewis Hayden 9. Jayden Hunter – 66’ Joe Gildea 10. Tom Massey (C) - 74’ Oli Jeeves 11. Red Simmons

Management/Assistants: Neil Tooth, Phil Male, Sam Heath, Marcus Davies, Sinead McElwaine, Derrick Culling

Match Officials: Martin Flynn, Joshua Wiffen, Kevin Vass