MATCH REPORT

Second week of the season and the ladies from Newmarket galloped into town feeling confident no doubt after last week's win over newly promoted Bourne Deeping HC. A warm sunny day at the Peele Leisure Centre as the ladies from Long Sutton set about opening their league campaign at home and protecting the "Fortress Peele" banner. With a good warm up behind them the umpires got the game going and immediately Long Sutton Ladies set about the opposition. Last week's start against Wisbech was slow, but not this week. For the first 10 minutes or so Newmarket struggled to get out of their half as Sutton ladies played some beautiful hockey, aggressive hunting of the ball and some lovely triangular movements. Sutton were finding plenty of space and circle penetrations and it wasn't long before they got their rewards when the ball reached skipper Leanne Woodhead in the D and with some quick legs she hit an unstoppable shot into the roof of the goal to give the home side the advantage. Straight from the restart Newmarket tried to get something going but with Leah Goodley immense in midfield and the ever vocal Gemma Parr calling the game from the back it wasn't long before Long Sutton controlled the ball forward and pressed for the second. Again the ball found its way to skipper Woodhead in the D and with a nifty shift to the right she placed a beautiful shot to the left of the keeper to double the home sides lead. By now Long Sutton were playing great expansive hockey as the half continued the ball found itself to Goodley on the right hand wing who hit a first time low cross which was controlled by Connie Gittins at the back post and she duly converted for her first goal in 1st team colours and Long Sutton were now 3 – 0 to the good. The home defence of Lisa Baker, Tania White, Jo Bland and Parr along with the ever vocal Lorraine Wallis were ensuring Newmarket didn't pass. Bland playing in an uncustomary right back position found herself in the D and subsequently strived to get a penalty flick. Bland strode up to take it but the Newmarket keeper pulled off a good save to her left and the score remained 3-0 as we came to the break. The game was effectively won but it was important after last week's game of two half's to keep the momentum going, however on a warm day with limited substitutes to use the pace of the game slowed down. This gave Newmarket a chance to hit Sutton on the break and they were rewarded with 2 Penalty corners, but on both occasions they were dealt with by the home defence. A couple of further half chances came their way but they found keeper Wallis, who had been a spectator in the first half, in her customary International form. As the game drifted towards the inevitable conclusion Long Sutton found a second breath and further excursions forward could and should have added to the score line, with Goodley missing after great work by Lyn Tancred to set her up. Selfless running from the wide midfield players Jess Hudson and Louise Southgate, on a warm afternoon, ensured that Sutton's momentum continued until the final whistle. A very enjoyable win for the home side but again like last week a scintillating half and a mediocre half. The team will not doubt be looking to put together 70 minutes of the hockey played in the first half. This will undoubtedly come as the fitness and season builds. Next week another home game where City of Peterborough are the visitors. They have had a strong start to the season winning both their fixtures and Long Sutton will need to put it all together to continue with the Fortress Peele theme.