MATCH REPORT

SUTTON'S DERBY DELIGHT! Long Sutton Ladies 1sts came back from a goal down to celebrate another important league win. After a lethargic first 20 minutes Sutton eventually found form and dominated the last ten minutes of the first half, and much of the second half to come through as worthy winners, against a much strengthened Wisbech side. Sutton were forced into one change from their first choice starting line up, with Gemma Parr unavailable. Wisbech made the better start to the game and on five minutes forced a fine save from Sutton keeper Lorraine Wallis. Wisbech broke quickly and with their star forward clear on goal it took a one on one intervention from Wallis to clear the danger. Immediately at the other end Sutton forced their first chance with Leah Goodley on a determined drive forward and from the attack the ball fell to Lyn Tancred who won a short corner. The short was cleverly worked but the Wisbech defenders made light work of clearing the threat. Goodley again found good ball and intended a well directed pass to Leanne Woodhead but the ball was struck just wide of Woodhead's run. On 12 minutes Wisbech won a short corner and from which the receiver tapped on, and the second receiver passed back to the injector who squeezed the ball towards goal, however then the travelling ball came back out off the keepers left hand post - but the well positioned umpire declared the ball had narrowly crossed the line before striking the post, close call! but the umpire was in the best place to see and was sure of the goal; So one nil to Wisbech. In response Woodhead went close, with a solid goal bound strike being stick blocked by a central defender. Sutton were now beginning to fire up after a slow start, Jess Hudson took a quick restart and found Goodley who interchanged back to Hudson and the pass found Tancred but the final movement across goal, failed to find a Sutton player. Emmy Gittins won good ball down the right and saw Jo Bland clear on the left, and Gittins long distance pass was inch perfect but the well organised Wisbech defense was on hand to block Bland's progress. In search of a first half equaliser Sutton swarmed forward, this time Connie Gittins found good space to seek out Woodhead, who fired narrowly wide off the reverse stick. As Sutton continued to press over the last ten minutes of the half Wisbech dug in - and their determined defense held firm to carry their lead into the second half. Sutton started the second half as they finished the first and maintained a high penetration towards the Wisbech goal. Woodhead had two more good strikes on goal and Tancred found clear lines but the final pass on each occasion, just eluded her running line, or was cut out by a Wisbech stick. Lisa Baker and Rachael Gadsden were breaking the left and right channels to great effect. Goodley and Charlee Leuty were both menacing in the middle, attacking with flare and defending with great determination to recover any lost possession. Tania White was enjoying her normal well controlled game, always on hand to clear breakaways while Sutton searched for a goal. Sutton were winning more short corners and the pressure mounting would surely get reward, and it soon did. Baker injected from a short, Goodley trapped the ball for Woodhead to strike wonderfully and accurately into the right side of the goal, in off the inside of the post. 1-1 AND GAME ON! With 17 minutes remaining Sutton continued to press and from a further short corner Tancred shot firmly and the ball cannoned off a Wisbech stick to bypass all defenders and the keeper, to provide Sutton a well deserved two one lead. Stick or twist was the decision for the last 17 minutes, and Sutton decided not to sit back, which was the right call, however Wisbech rallied and the game became very end to end, exciting but nerve racking for the good sized crowd of home supporters. Louise Southgate made a tremendous run down the right and her fine pass just escaped Tancred who would have been clear on goal. Wisbech had a fantastic moment themselves from a short corner, Wallis made a brilliant stop and the ball was cleared but Wisbech won it back, attacking quickly Wisbech found an attacker very well placed to test Wallis again, but again the Sutton keeper stretched to make a fine save. With the clock ticking, Sutton closed the game out with some intelligent use of space and possession, notably from Leuty, Bland and Tancred, working on either side of the pitch. So game won and valuable points in the bag, speaking on the full time whistle, keeper Lorraine Wallis said "what a brilliant derby fixture this was and we can be proud of the win and in particular the second half performance" Captain Leanne Woodhead spoke to the team and said " A great performance from everybody and this is a a brilliant result to take into the festive break"