MATCH REPORT

A cold crisp morning met Long Sutton as they arrived at the Dalmark Sports ground for this Division 2 NW fixture. Although the weather had been cold over night the sun had come out and the fixture had been declared on. After 2 recent defeats Long Sutton were looking to get back to winning ways and welcomed striker Lyn Sullivan and Manager Lawrie Sullivan back after they had missed the previous 2 games due to Honeymoon commitments. Today was going to be a tough game. The recent 2 defeats for Sutton had ended their promotion hopes but Peterborough still had desires for promotion to Division 1 as they sat 2nd in the league with one defeat all season. They would also have been very confident as they had in an earlier fixture easily beat Sutton 3-0. So into the game rode the 14 from Long Sutton, confident, smiling but at the same time knowing they would have to improve on recent weeks performances. A slight tweak of formation this week from Coach Neil Evans saw a 4-4-2 approach with Tania White, Gemma Parr, Lisa Baker and Lauren Cooper playing in front of the recently selected England Master Lorraine Wallis. The midfield diamond would consist of Skipper Jo Bland, Charlie Leuty, Amber Jones and Emmie Gittins with Leah Goodley and Connie Gittins starting up front. Jess Burton, Louise Southgate and Lyn Sullivan would start from the bench but as always in this game is a about the squad of 14. The game started and immediately Long Sutton found themselves the aggressor and on the front foot. They took the game to Peterborough who were strangely found wanting in the first 10 minutes of so. Crisp passing and flowing movement from Long Sutton produced an early Penalty corner and as quick as a flash the ball slipped by White and the top of the d and Baker received in front of keeper before twisting to reverse the ball through the keeper to give the away side a 1-0 lead. Spurred on by this Sutton were now playing with freedom and enjoyment and did create additional half chances and further penalty corners, however, Peterborough were getting a hold in the game. With 20 mins gone a mistimed dive by Sutton keeper Wallis ended with a flick being awarded to the home side. This produced one of the moments of the game as Wallis flung herself to her right to push the ball away and protect the away sides lead. The first half was a huge effort for Sutton but Peterborough were growing and another smart save by man of the match Wallis, this time with a beautiful deflection with her left knee sending the ball out for a long corner kept the away sides net intact. With half time upon us, the talk was about resilience and energy. Sutton knew Peterborough were going to come for them as they couldn't really afford to lose points. Time and time again Peterborough pressed but the defence held tight. Baker, Parr and White along with Burton and Cooper were immense. Even Sullivan from the forward position found she once or twice chasing back to her own half to help relieve pressure. Sutton began to tire and ball retention was becoming a problem and the inevitable was just around the corner. A mazy run down the right and a cross to the back post found a Peterborough player all alone and she had the easiest task of putting the ball into the net. This equaliser spurred Peterborough on but resilient work by the Sutton 14 were holding them at bay Then with 15 minutes to go Peterborough got their noses in front with a strike from the top of the D, which Wallis got a hand to but couldn't prevent from entering the net. There was an amount of controversy about the goal as the Umpire had signalled for a 16 hit, but it had been a long corner and whilst Sutton played to the Umpire, Peterborough as was their right took advantage of a quick play and caught Sutton cold. The nature of the goal spurred Long Sutton on and their first half display surely merited something out of the game. Pressing forward with 5 mins left on the click they got another penalty corner. This time the ball found its way to Goodley whose strike from the top of the D was deflected by a defender and it looped over the keeper and defender and into the net to equalise the match. Soon after the game was over with the spoils shared. An excellent result for Sutton and showed that they can compete with any team in the league and put to bed any doubts that there may have been from the previous meeting. So 5th place secured in the league and 2 games left.