31.08.2026 Vs Tividale

Despite dominating possession, creating the clearer chances, and showing strong attacking intent throughout, Sutton were undone by defensive lapses and a ruthless Tividale frontline who capitalised on key moments to secure their first win of the season.

Sutton began with purpose, as Luke Childs forced the first save of the afternoon when his angled effort from the left was pushed away by goalkeeper Joseph Neeson. Shortly after, Jack White dispossessed his man on the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful strike, only for Neeson to tip the ball over superbly.

The breakthrough arrived in the 21st minute, when Joel Newman delivered a dangerous cross from the left, and Joe Gildea reacted sharply at the near post to tuck the ball home.

Sutton continued to press, with Jack Sang denied by Neeson and Gildea’s follow-up blocked brilliantly by Bruno Valente. At the other end, Greg Lewis had little to contend with, aside from a long-range effort from Callum Hamnett that skimmed over the bar.

However, deep into the first half stoppage time, Tividale found an equaliser when Thomas Hale won possession and spread the ball wide to Ben Givaridze, who struck cleanly from the edge of the area to level the match at the break.

Sutton regained the lead early in the second half when a long throw from Jack Wilkes caused chaos in the Tividale box, and when the ball fell to Massey, the captain finished confidently into the bottom corner to make it 2-1 to United.

But the momentum swung sharply with two quick goals from Tividale. In the 63rd minute, Givargidze’s effort from the right took a heavy deflection off Lewis Wall, to wrong-foot Greg Lewis and finish in the back of the net, bringing Tividale level once more.

And just five minutes later, the visitors went ahead for the first time in the match when Hamnett stepped up over a free-kick and delivered a stunning strike that curled into the top corner.

Tividale were then awarded a penalty and Hamnett converted with composure to extend the lead for the visitors and claim his second of the match.

Tividale, now full of confidence, almost added a fifth when Givargidze curled narrowly wide in search of his hat-trick.

Sutton refused to fold and in added time, Lewis Hayden picked out Massey inside the box, who produced a crisp finish to secure his brace and his third goal in two matches. The Greens pushed forward in the final minutes, but time ran out and Tividale held on for the points.

Massey’s milestone performance was standout, yet the Greens were left to reflect on back-to-back defeats over the Bank Holiday weekend.

With no fixture next weekend, Sutton now have a valuable break before returning to Coleshill Road on Saturday 12th September in the Isuzu FA Vase against Dudley Town, kick off 3pm.

Team: Sutton United
1. Greg Lewis
2. Red Simmons – 86’ Jay Clement
3. Joel Newman
4. James Gallagher – 46’ Jake Wilkes
5. Lewis Wall
6. Jack White
7. Jack Sang – 58’ Oli Jeeves
8. Lewis Hayden
9. Joe Gildea
10. Tom Massey (c)
11. Luke Childs – 58’ Jayden Hunter
Unused Sub: Jordan Clement

Management/Assistants:
Neil Tooth, Phil Male, Sam Heath,
Bobby Brittan, Sinead McElwaine,
Derrick Culling

Team: Tividale FC
1. Joseph Neeson
2. Menilek Morgan
3. Thomas Hale - 58’ Harry Smart
4. Lewis Pearson
5. Bruno Valente (c)
6. Jude Thomas – 45+1’ Dale Bate
7. Ben Givargidze - 90+2’ Ethan Davis
8. Ben Corfield
9. William Uchenna
10. Callum Hamnett
11. Enoch Popola
Unused Sub: Aon-Mohammed Abbas, Harrison Bruce

Management/Assistants:
Jack Ball, Ethan Thomas, Ethan Spencer,
Andy Campbell, Kallum Johnson, Manny Joray,
Abdul Barghouth

Match Officials: Josh Warren, Kevin Carroll, Samuel Mantom