MATCH REPORT

Long Sutton 3rds had their first game of their season at home, a bare 11 up against Kettering's 14 players. A new season brought a new captain as Kieran Forrest had stepped up to to take the lead Unfortunately Sutton's 11 did not include a goalkeeper so Kieran donned the kit and played between the posts. The game started strong from both sides. Kettering managed to play off their pushback and began pressuring Sutton in their own 25 leading to an early short corner. To defend the short Kieran was joined by the reliable Jeremy Smith, Gilly and both Gary and Scott "not Adam" Croxford. Scott had been pulled back from his usual midfield role to cover for the now padded up captain. The short corner was taken well by Kettering but, for now, the defense was better and the ball was shot wide off the baseline. Sutton's 16. Jeremy's hit off the 16 was sent far into Kettering's half. Taken by Josh Woodrow and played back to Sam Bartlett who took an attempt at goal. Unfortunately, this deflected off a defender's stick, but after a brief scuffle was picked up by Gilly whose controlled strike weaved between defenders into the back of the goal. 1-nil to Sutton, 6 minutes in. The goal elevated Sutton who were aware of the uphill battle against the more experienced (older) and numerous Kettering side. Play resumed with morale high with many of Sutton's players wanting to make their mark. Previously mentioned Sam gave it his all trying to lock down the centre of the pitch being supported by Gilly and Jack Braginton behind him and Owen Clarke was fitting in well on the left making that space his own and tackling the much larger opposition. Kettering were eager to get back into the game and before long they were pressing into our 25. All though we were covering well and both Owen and Jack Newman had stepped in from their wide roles to pick up attackers an unfortunate foot led to a Kettering short corner. Unfortunately for Sutton, Kettering equalised when a shot from the top of the D was unluckily deflected upwards into the top of the net by a defender's stick. 1 all, 14 minutes in. The first half continued back and forth between both sides. Kettering were awarded a few more short corners but were unable to score from these and both Croxfords were able to minimize attacks from the flanks as Scott made some fantastic interceptions and Gary was able to make some solid tackles and generally "get in the way" albeit less gracefully than his son. It wasn't until the 29th minute where a fabulous link-up of play between Sam and Josh straight down the middle of the pitch resulted in a goal for Josh. 2-1 to Sutton. The first half ended and spirits were high for Sutton. Praise all round. However, it was clear that the outfield players were struggling with the lack of subs. Sutton were unable to capitalise off of their pushback and very quickly Kettering we pressuring the D. After a brief 4 minutes Kettering had won a short and this time they made the most of it and got the ball past the captain a second time. 2 all, 39 minutes in. The momentum had now shifted and Sutton restarted the game again but unfortunately Kettering soon won the ball back and pressed forward relentlessly. Defense was a hard fought battle but Kettering once again won a short corner. The corner was injected to their nearside player who stuck the ball into goal. Kieran managed to lunge and get a toe onto the ball but it was not enough and the ball rebounded off of the goalkeeper into the side of the goal. 3-2, 41 minutes in. The remainder of the game was much of the same. Kettering pressing into the home team's D and winning short corner after short corner. Sutton's D soon became a firing range but they managed to withstand the barrage of shots on goal. Sutton were holding on even with their bare 11. However this soon changed as both Gilly and Gary received cards from the umpire. Momentarily reduced to 9, Jack B stepped back to fill in the defensive line. Jack tried his best to keep morale high, joking and laughing in the face of adversity - perhaps it's a good thing after all that he did not inherit his dad's goalkeeping genes like his brother did. Despite Jack's assistance defending Kettering managed to complete a shot across goal which deflected off of an awaiting Kettering stick at the back post. 4-2 to Kettering at 59 minutes. It seemed that Sutton's forwards were able to catch their breath during the onslaught of shorts as Sam, Josh and Theo McCab were all able to link up and make runs at the opposition, resulting in 2 very good (albeit unsuccessful) attempts at goal towards the end of the game. After a hard fought game Kettering ended up the victor. Sutton's players had used up every ounce of energy on the pitch with both Scott and Jack Newman collapsing on the floor as the final whistle blew. With a lot of positives to take away from the first half and knowledge of what we need to build on at training the Dominos back at the clubhouse was well deserved.