20.09.2026 Vs Northwich Victoria

The Greens delivered one of their most complete performances of the season, full of energy, discipline and desire.

The opening forty-five minutes ended goalless, but Sutton were the side carrying the greater threat. Red Simmons produced United’s first effort on goal, driving a strike from the corner of the box that forced Andrew Mendes into action. Shortly after, Tom Massey rose well to meet a cross from Aidan Mee, but his header looped wide of the top corner.

Sutton’s best moment of the half came through Sean Devlin, who surged into the penalty area after an incisive move through midfield, however, Mendes reacted superbly, racing off his line to narrow the angle and then making a strong save at his near post.

The Greens continued to threaten, as Mendes made an excellent reflex stop to deny James Gallagher, whose header from a corner looked destined for the net. Moments later, Joe Gildea beat Mendes to a loose ball on the edge of the area and lifted it over the keeper, but the effort trickled just wide.

United’s intensity continued as Devlin picked out Joseph Afful on the edge of the box, who curled an effort that proved comfortable for Mendes.

At the other end, Sutton’s defensive structure was outstanding. The back four were composed and organised, while Lewis Hayden and Ben George controlled the midfield battle, repeatedly breaking up play and retrieving possession for the Greens.

Northwich finally tested Greg Lewis early in the second half when Harvey Whyte’s free kick curled over the wall and towards the top corner, but the Sutton goalkeeper reacted sharply, diving left to push the ball away.

The breakthrough arrived in the 50th minute, when Hayden whipped his corner to the back post to find Matt Bishop, whose header crashed off the crossbar and bounced on the goal line. A frantic scramble ensued, and Gildea reacted to force the ball over the line before a Northwich defender could hook it clear.

United should have doubled their lead soon after when Massey broke through the defensive line and drove into the box, but Mendes again stood tall, sticking out a leg to deny the Sutton captain.

Northwich pushed forward in search of an equaliser, yet Sutton remained resolute. Gallagher and Bishop were superb in the air with crucial interventions as the visitors tried to build momentum.

The decisive second goal arrived in the 70th minute when Hayden won possession deep in Sutton territory and fed Afful, who released Jayden Hunter on the counterattack. Hunter showed composure, sliding the ball past Mendes to make it 2-0 and send Coleshill Road into celebration.

Northwich’s late pressure saw Elliot Rokka striking wide from distance, and deep into stoppage time Matthew Clarke came close when he met a fantastic cross from the left, firing over the bar at the back post.

This was a superb Sutton performance, as they limited a strong Northwich side to very few opportunities, whilst showing their own clinical edge when it mattered. They can now take this positivity into their next match as they host Wythenshawe Town on Saturday 3rd October.

Team: Sutton United
1. Greg Lewis
2. Aidan Mee
3. Red Simmons
4. Matt Bishop – 76’ Lewis Wall
5. James Gallagher
6. Ben George
7. Sean Devlin – 60’ Ryan Nesbitt
8. Lewis Hayden
9. Joe Gildea - 67’ Jayden Hunter
10. Tom Massey (c) – 90’ Tion Pearce
11. Joseph Afful – 70’ Luke Childs

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

Team: Northwich Victoria
1. Andre Da Silva Mendes
2. Sean Higgins
3. Lucas Edwards
4. Matthew Clarke (c)
5. Fraser Cookson
6. Andy Keogh - 72’ Michael Lawson
7. Harvey Whyte – 60’ Leo Tanswell
8. Will Lloyd – 60’ Kieran Hamm
9. Ryan Atkinson – 46’ Luc Ferry
10. Joe Duckworth – 70’ Ryan Jackson
11. Elliot Rokka

Management/Assistants:
Lee Duckworth, Scott Lycett, Danny Jarrat,
Ross Spright

Match Officials: Carl Baker, Andy Genders, David Wood

 

Sutton United	Statistics	Northwich Victoria
2	Goals	0
13	Attempts	6
9	Attempts on Target	3
48%	Possession	52%
4	Corners	5
9	Fouls Committed	10
0	Yellow Cards	2
0	Red Cards	0
James Gallagher	Club Man of the Match
Lewis Hayden	Opp Man of the Match	Andy Keogh