MATCH REPORT

Another beautiful autumnal day at Peele Leisure Centre, where Long Sutton were entertaining the unbeaten students from Cambridge University. Always an entertaining, fast and tough workout Long Sutton had to make a change before the start of the game when top scorer and striker Lyn Tancred failed a fitness test on her Hamstring. However, the rest of the squad were ready to continue the excellent start to the season that Sutton had begun, in what was only the second game at Peele. Right from the off the University moved onto the front foot and there brand of fluid positional hockey was dominant in the early exchanges. But the ladies of Long Sutton have a confidence about them this season and the game plan to focus on zones and not individual players was working well, denying the University ladies space and shots in the D. If wasn't long before Sutton themselves got more into the game as Leah Goodley found more and more space in midfield and Connie Gittins, playing up front for the stricken Tancred, starting to move the Cambridge defence around with some smart movement. The game was flowing end to end and at a fast pace, but the Long Sutton defence of Tania White, Gemma Parr, Lisa Baker and Lauren Cooper together with the vocal talents of keeper Lorraine Wallis were in no mood to be generous. In fact Wallis rarely touched the ball in the first period as the defensive team set their stall out to protect the D, and protect it they did. As the first half progressed Long Sutton were now becoming the more offensive with their wide players of Louise Southgate, Emmie Gittins and substitute Amber Jones were exploiting the wings very well and opportunities were created in the D. If the ball was turned over then the defence midfielders of skipper Jo Bland and Charlie Leuty were there to harass and hound the opposition. Then half way through the half the deadlock was broken when Sutton were awarded the first of their 3 penalty corners. Baker injected to Connie Gittins, who stopped for White to slip in Leuty for a shot which found Baker who then calmly reversed the ball through her legs and the stranded keeper to rattle the backboard and give the home side the advantage. Whilst the game was fast and Sutton were working hard to negate the younger University ladies, there really wasn't enough at both ends for the keepers to do with both defences admirably protecting their keepers with solid defence work. Half time came and went and the game continued in the second half with very little change. Yes, Sutton players were managing the game slightly different as they had the lead, but the energy levels were still high. University gained 2 penalty corners but once again the defensive qualities of Sutton stood out. Being vocal and staying in shape were the mantras of the day. Then with 15 minutes to go possible the move of the match as Southgate picked up the ball on the right hand side after good work by Sutton to turn the ball over. A crisp pass ahead to Emmie Gittins who powered her way into the D before hitting across the D towards the back post. Amber Jones had made up the ground to get there and being completely unmarked drove the ball into the goal to double the home sides lead. A lovely story as Jones had scored her first ever first team goal in her fledgling first team career. University now had to chase the game, but Sutton were not to be denied. A solid performance by the entire squad with the off the ball running by Connie Gittins and Goodley in the second half helping to pave the way for yet another victory. So final whistle, Long Sutton 2-0 winners and continuing one of their best starts in many seasons. Played 6, won 5 drawn 1, Joint top……and The fun doesn't stop there as next week Long Sutton finds themselves away at third place Cambridge City 3rds. 2pm at Perse School.