MATCH REPORT

We entered two teams to the tournament this week. As the first tournament of the season was a complete wash out this was really the first opportunity for the U12s to get to know each other. It was a cold morning but the A team started brightly and there was some great passing play between Alfie and George as they pushed the ball through the field. Ollie used his speed to make some good leading runs and they were rewarded by a goal from George. However despite some fabulous work by Josh in goal and Jemima and Josh N the opposition and home side Bourne Deeping Dragons were able to sneak ahead and win 2-0. The second game was a very even affair and as the team settled they held Bourne Deeping Hydras to a 0-0 draw. The next game saw a more confident team take to the pitch, Josh N was a constant threat to Lindum and released Lily and George to score, while unable to keep out a goal from Lindum they recorded their first win of the tournament 2-1. The final game of the day was not only cold but wet and players from both sides did well to maintain the high tempo as they all got stuck in to an end to end game. Sutton scored first through a fantastic strike from Alfie but early in the second half Spalding Lions fought back and equalised despite the best efforts of Jemima and Jo. Sutton dug in again though and as ever Josh N and George had plenty of possession, it was a great through ball into space that was pounced on by George and allowed Sutton to sneak ahead again which made it even more painful when Spalding equalised in the dieing seconds of the game particularly after the acrobatics of Josh W that had kept the ball out of the net for so long. Long Sutton A v BDHC Dragons 1-2 Long Sutton A v BDHC Hydras 0-0 Long Sutton A v Lindum 2-1 Long Sutton A v Spalding Lions 2-2 The B team have been a work in progress since the start of last season and as some faces moved into the A team we welcomed some new players today too. It was clear form the start that this team had come a long way in a year and they battled for possession from the start listening well to guidance from their coach. Martha attacked the goal time and again ably assisted by Jake and Daniel. Brad was a great asset in defence and pushed up creating some good attacking moves as Hetty controlled the defence. Josh S was a constant thorn in the oppositions side as he got stuck into everything. Brad had little to do in goal as his defence swept up any threats. A very positive start with a 0-0 draw against Bourne Griffins. The next game saw Hetty and Ben absorb the pressure at the back but the team capitalised on their opportunities and Emma opened the scoring with some great skill and a fabulous goal celebration! This was followed by another from Martha and then a very slick short corner stop from Brad that was struck by Martha and swept in by Emma encompassed the team effort of the day. A 3-1 win against Lindum B saw an exhuberent team come off the pitch. A game against Spalding Tigers saw the defence and mid field pushed to their limits but they were able to keep the ball out of the net until the last seconds of the game despite valiant defending from Hetty, Ben, Jake and Daniel a 1-0 loss. As the rain hit the next match was a cold one but spirits weren't dampened too much and Sutton had the majority of possession pressing hard for a goal that just wouldn't come Spalding Panthers only got in the D once but capitalised on their opportunity and it was another 1-0 loss. With such small margins making the difference and a continual rain the last game was a battle against the elements as much as the opposition. Ben , Hetty , Brad, Jake , Josh and Daniel soaked up attack after attack from Horncastle with Martha waiting to pounce on any opportunity that came her way, unfortunately despite a huge team effort Horncastle finally snuck one in. The team should be hugely proud of such a positive start to the season. Long Sutton B v Bourne Griffins 0-0 Long Sutton B v Lindum 3-1 Long Sutton B v Spalding Tigers 0-1 Long Sutton B v Spalding Panthers 0-1 Long Sutton B v Horncastle 0- 1