MATCH REPORT

A miserable day as Long Sutton checked into the Better Leisure Centre in Cambridge for the league match with Nomads. Rain was the surprise element here as early morning thoughts had turned to a possible cancellation due to frost and Ice. The rain was in fact continuous and the temperatures on the mild side of very cold. Still Long Sutton was buoyant from the previous week's game and were looking to do the double over their opponents this season. The day didn't go to plan though. From the first whistle and despite the weather Long Sutton found the going extremely tough. Endeavour and spirit were there along with effort, but too many misplaced passes and turnover of the ball gave a lot of confidence to the home side who, with a full 14 man squad and coaching team on the side-lines, set about making the day for Long Sutton very difficult. Nomads produced a solid midfield approach with 3 key players who effectively ran the early part of the game. Jo Bland and Charlie Leuty together with Leah Goodley endeavoured to match up but Nomads were playing hard and aggressive hockey and looking to control the midfield. As the first half continued the Sutton defence of Lauren Cooper, Tania White, Gemma Parr and Lisa Baker along with interchange Jess Burton were coping with the forays into the D but it wasn't easy. When the ball was won it wasn't long before wrong decisions gave the ball back to the opponents and more pressure was built. Goalkeeper Lorraine Wallis was called upon a couple of times to leave her line and smother the ball and to be honest Sutton were coping, but undoubtedly using more energy than was necessary. With Emmie and Connie Gittins on the wide areas along with Louise Southgate and Amber Jones there were opportunities to relieve pressure and move the ball, but the width was not used enough and forward Lyn Tancred was isolated in patches, although Tancred did have a great chance to open the scoring when put through in the D but her shot slid past the right hand post. Sutton were working hard and Nomads were playing extremely well, it was going to be a close game all round. With 10 minutes to half time Wallis was called into action with an absolute flying save to her right, deflecting a close shot on to the past and behind. It was fortunate that the Umpire had already blown for an infringement but Wallis was not to know that. World class keeping. Half time came with the score a 0-0. Sutton spoke about composure, width etc and as the second half started Sutton were more in the game, but loss of possession at crucial times set them back a bit, although there was a period of sustained pressure which resulted in 3 penalty corners in a row which on another day may have produced a score. The game continued as much as before with Sutton's endeavour keeping Nomads hockey at bay. Until 14 minutes from time, when the Nomads midfielder had sneaked into the D and was completely free on the 45 degree angle to the right of the Sutton goal. With time to spare she calmly hit a shot across Wallis into the far corner and gave Nomads a deserved lead. This seemed to galvanise Long Sutton and their game was upped. Realising they were not playing their best hockey; they found a way to further pressurise their opponents and push them back. This season has seen this never give up attitude from Sutton and perseverance even when you are not playing at your best always pay off. With 4 minutes left on the clock another penalty corner was illegally stopped, but with every one stopping for an infringement and the umpire playing an advantage man of the match Leuty retained her composure to control the ball and slide past the keeper to draw the game level. Long Sutton then pressed for a winner but time eventually ran out. Certainly nowhere near the performance of previous weeks, but it shows where a team is if despite playing not to normal standards they gain something from the match. Dropping to 5th in the table but 1 point behind second although some of the teams around them do have games in hand. There is no doubt a high end finish is within their grasp but maybe the top 2 will be tough. Clearly it depends on the results over the final 6 games