MATCH REPORT

 Long Sutton 2nds picked up their first point of the season after Spalding denied them all three with a last gasp equaliser. After a heavy defeat Sutton were pleased to welcome back Simon Clarke and Matt Holmes to add experience to the defence. The game began in scrappy fashion with both teams struggling to get any sort of fluidity into their play. Chances were few in the first twenty minutes as the game was mainly confined to the midfield areas. The home side took the lead after a break led to a sharp finish. This appeared to galvanise Sutton who started to play better hockey attacking down the wings and forcing a number of short corners. On the half time whistle Nick Ellis managed to force the ball into the net for an equaliser. The visitors started the second period brightly with some good attacking play, Luke Jackson using his speed to good effect plus Matt Goodley, Ed and Will White combining well in the midfield and Holmes outstanding marshalling the defence. Sutton should have made the game safe in this period but failed to take advantage of their domination until after a number of short corners a thunderous strike from Ellis left the Spalding defence mesmerised as it crashed into the goal. This forced Spalding onto the attack and the game once again became scrappy, Sutton goalkeeper Brad Whitmore on his 2nd team debut looked assured and confident and helped deny the home team from a number of short corners. Unfortunately a yellow card near the end meant the away team had to try and see the game out with 10 players, Spalding pushed forward seeking an equaliser which mirroring the 1st half came from a short corner in the dying seconds. Sutton must move forward now with a point on the board to try and take the positives into next week. Matt Holmes was Man of the Match for a committed and classy display.