Tunley Triumph in Stoppage-Time Thriller Against Bishop Sutton

27/09/25

Match Report Tunley AFC 4 - 3 Bishop Sutton Reserves

Tunley Athletic pulled off a stirring comeback to defeat the visiting Bishop Sutton Reserves 4–3. It was a contest that swung back and forth, with early goals, strong challenges, and a decisive strike in stoppage time to send the home supporters away delighted.

The match exploded into life within the opening minutes. Bishop Sutton almost struck first when a forward broke in behind, only for Ryan Edmunds to make a superb block. Unfortunately for Tunley, the danger wasn’t fully cleared and moments later a visiting player unleashed a volley into the top corner to give Sutton a 1–0 lead in just the 2nd minute.

Both teams looked to play directly, aiming long balls over the top in search of quick counters. Tunley began to settle and were rewarded in the 18th minute. A Tunley defender confidently carried the ball from deep in his own end before sliding an excellent pass into the path of Finn Little, who stayed composed to slot low past the keeper to level it at 1–1.

The home side nearly added another four minutes later, when a clever pass cut straight through the Sutton defence, only for the finish to roll narrowly wide. Tunley kept pushing and took the lead in the 35th minute. Owen Holland broke free down the right, drove into the box, and smashed a fierce strike beyond the keeper to make it 2–1.

Edmunds was called on again in the 38th minute, making a sharp kick save to keep the lead intact. A brief scuffle followed a strong tackle as tempers flared, but the referee restored calm. Sutton threatened just before half-time with a dangerous free kick that bent inches wide, but Tunley held firm and went into the interval in front.

Tunley came out on the front foot and nearly extended their lead within a minute of the restart. A looping shot from distance rattled the crossbar with the keeper beaten, before a low cross moments later was hacked away at full stretch by a Sutton defender.

But the visitors struck back quickly. In the 50th minute a Sutton attacker broke through the centre and finished neatly past Edmunds for 2–2. Four minutes later they went ahead from a set piece, a header crashing off the post before another Sutton player reacted quickest to stab the rebound over the line.

At 3–2 down, Tunley could have faltered, but instead they showed resolve. Edmunds made two fine stops in the 68th minute.  From the counter that followed, Josh Tyler muscled his way beyond a defender, shrugged off the keeper’s challenge, and rolled the ball into the net to level at 3–3.

The equaliser ignited the game again. Tunley pressed forward with renewed energy. Sutton remained dangerous from set pieces, and in the 80th minute they earned another free kick in a threatening position, but Edmunds commanded his box, punching the delivery clear under pressure.

With both sides pushing for a winner, the match became stretched. Tackles flew in, passes went astray, but neither side could find the decisive moment.

Deep into stoppage time, Tunley mounted one final attack. A Tunley throw in began a push down the right side, leading to a fine cross that was flicked on by a header and blasted into the net by Josh Doell as the home crowd erupted in celebration.

Bishop Sutton had no time to respond, and the referee’s whistle brought to an end a thrilling contest that underlined Tunley’s character and fighting spirit.

Final Score: Tunley Athletic 4–3 Bishop Sutton Reserves

Scorers: Little (18), Holland (35), Tyler (68), Doell (90+).