MATCH REPORT

Five & carded trick! Despite losing inspirational Captain Leanne Woodhead for a short spell to a yellow card before the start of the second half! it didn't stop Long Sutton Ladies 1 st's from adding three more goals to a two nil half time lead. And with Sutton running out comfortable victors against a well drilled and organised Nomads team. A 10 minute purple patch before half time and repeated in the final quarter of the game was enough to secure three more valuable league points, adding to an impressive start for Long Sutton Ladies 1 sts, to their 2016/17 campaign. Sutton started with intent but found themselves soon on the back foot as Nomads grew into the game. The first ten minutes being fairly equal in the exchanges, but on ten minutes Nomads broke to create their first scoring opportunity, which needed a sharp intervention from in form Sutton goal keeper Lorraine Wallis. On 20 minutes Nomads won a short corner which went ping pong and then thankfully wide to the relief of team Long Sutton. 10 minutes of the first half remaining and another short corner to Nomads was cleared well by Jess Hudson which turned defence into attack from which Sutton eventually won a short corner for themselves. This started a sequence of short corners which Sutton failed to convert. Sutton were beginning to influence the game but without creating any clear cut chances. Leah Goodley, Louise Southgate, Jo Bland and Charlie Leuty were linking well and dominating midfiled, driving onward to frequently torment the Nomads defence. A further short corner was awarded in Sutton's favour, however the first attempt was pulled up as a Nomads defender broke early resulting in their number 5 being sent to the half way line. One line defender down then the second attempt was also called foul for a defender and this time their number six shooting out of the blocks too quickly. So with a further defender out of the short corner routine then surely Sutton would breakthrough! Lisa Baker injected and then recollected at the post but with her first effort blocked well by the Nomads keeper, it then took Baker with instinctive reactions to convert the rebounding ball to give Sutton a well deserved lead. Sutton kept up the tempo and won a short corner with a minute to go of the first half, this time the ball was injected cleanly by Lyn Tancred and Jess Hudson hit a crisp direct shot which flew perfectly into the far corner and left of the helpless keeper, for 2 nil to Sutton. The second half Sutton started by being reduced to ten players, however they limited Nomads during this period to only one real chance, which was dealt with brilliantly by the boot of keeper Wallis and just before Woodhead was reintroduced to the game. 12 minutes into the second half and Sutton increased their lead when Woodhead broke through and fired a shot off - which the keeper could only deflect into the Nomads goal. Lyn Tancred scored the fourth having worked space to receive a crisp pass and Tancred clear of defenders struck the ball from just inside the extreme of the D, but the Nomads keeper mistook the shot for being outside of the D and allowed the ball to run into goal gifting a rather soft extension to Sutton's lead. Nomads continued a spirited resistance and applied pressure on the strong Sutton back four of Rachael Gadsden, Tania White, Gemma Parr and Lisa Baker who had been faultless all afternoon. However after a series of chances Nomads won a short corner which this time they breached the Sutton back-line to score what surely could only be a consolation goal. However known for their fight backs! Nomads could not be underestimated and Sutton had to work hard to deny a couple of half chances before Woodhead would put the outcome beyond doubt. Lou Southgate robbed Nomads in midfield and Southgate drove forward quickly, then decisively passed the ball to Woodhead, who turned and hit a peach of a shot firmly past the Nomads keeper to settle things at 5 - 1. Sutton could be well pleased with the key periods of the game and their chance conversion. The midfield worked tirelessly and the defence was as disciplined as ever. Player of the match for Long Sutton was Rachael Gadsden who was strong in the tackle, supportive to midfield and ambitious on the overlap/attack. Long Sutton Ladies firsts are away next Saturday at Spalding ladies firsts who are early season league leaders and hot favorites to win the league, however Sutton in second place should make for an interesting game. 12.30 push back.