Tamworth scored twice in the opening seven minutes of the second half to beat Sutton United 2-0 at The Lamb Ground and record their first clean sheet of the National League season.
The hosts produced the better opportunities during the opening half, with Keiran Donnelly proving a persistent threat to the Sutton defence. Tom McGlinchey also tested goalkeeper Spike Brits, while Morgan Roberts saw an effort deflected narrowly wide.
Teo Kurtaran picked up the game’s first booking in the 29th minute, with Sutton captain Jake Taylor following ten minutes later. Both captains were then replaced at half-time, Jordan Cullinane-Liburd coming on for Tom Parkes for Tamworth and Brandon Njoku replacing Taylor for the visitors.
Tamworth needed only two minutes after the restart to take the lead. Besart Topallaj won possession near the corner flag but his attempted clearance went straight to Joe Rye, whose low shot was parried by Brits. Donnelly reacted quickest to the rebound and converted from close range for his sixth league goal of the season.
Five minutes later the Lambs doubled their advantage. Kurtaran delivered a corner from the left and, with Tom Handley challenging, the ball bounced into the net off Emmanuel Osadebe’s head for an own goal to make it 2-0.
Sutton made another change shortly after the hour as Bobby Amartey replaced Joe Knight, before Omar Mussa and Sam Folarin came on for Charlie Bell and Temi Babalola in the 65th minute. Tamworth introduced Ben Acquaye for Hayden Carson two minutes earlier.
Tamworth continued to threaten after establishing their two-goal advantage. Brits produced another good save from McGlinchey, while Roberts had an effort deflected narrowly wide as the hosts looked for a third.
Sutton’s best spell came during the closing minutes. David Ogbonna had an effort cleared by Handley inside the six-yard box, while Mussa and Osadebe both sent attempts off target. Osadebe also fired a half-volley over as Sutton searched unsuccessfully for a way back into the contest.
Tamworth saw out five minutes of added time to secure their third National League victory of the season and, significantly, their first clean sheet of the campaign. It was also the first time in five league meetings between Tamworth and Sutton that the home side had won.
The victory moved Tamworth onto 11 points from 11 matches and provided an immediate response to Saturday’s 5-1 defeat at Aldershot. Sutton remain on 17 points after their three-match unbeaten run came to an end, with Chris Agutter’s side having now won just once in their last six National League matches.
