MATCH REPORT

They say that in sport you get what you deserve. Sometimes though you don't, sometimes sport can be a cruel game where endeavour and effort go unrewarded. So was the outcome this Saturday as Long Sutton ventured into Cambridge to take on City 3rds. It was always going to be a matchup of guile, wisdom, knowledge hard work and effort against a young, super fit and extremely well talented outfit from Cambridge. A crisp autumnal day saw Cambridge push back and immediately their movement and ability to run with the ball seeming tied to the end of their sticks pushed Long Sutton backwards. The first 10 minutes of the game seemed to be played entirely in the Sutton D and during that period 5 penalty corners were awarded to the home side. Once again the defence of Lorraine Wallis, Lauren Cooper, Tania White, Lisa Baker and skipper for the day Gemma Parr were exemplary in their play. Time after time they thwarted opportunities for the home team and this gave Sutton the opportunity to overcome the pressure and gradually get a foothold in the game. The Sutton midfield of Leah Goodley, Connie and Emmie Gittins, Lou Southgate and Charlie Leuty were being pushed deep which isolated striker Lyn Tancred. The bench of Jess Burton and Amber Jones also played their part and should not be forgotten. Inevitably this pressure was going to pay off for the home side as once again with agility and speed they worked the ball to the base line and slotted the ball into the D for their striker to reverse stick the ball past the wrong footed Wallis in goal. Supporters would say just rewards, but as said earlier in reports this season Long Sutton are made of stern stuff. Goodley pushed her self higher up the pitch which gave the opportunity for the entire Sutton midfield to take a step forward. There is belief in this team this year and as the first half progressed, gradually Sutton began to create themselves. One such attack led to an equaliser. The ball found Tancred on the left hand side of the D, she passed to Southgate who reversed across the goalkeeper to the far post and there was Goodley running in to make sure the ball was over the line. With the score poised at 1-1 Suttons renewed confidence offered more opportunities from Penalty corners and free play, but the away side were ever mindful of the attacking threat the home side offered. Half time came with the match tied up at 1-1, something that most supporters and the home team would have been confused at. Sutton made some tweaks to positions for the second half to try and stop the wide creativity of Cambridge. It worked so with Goodley higher up and supporting Tancred Sutton were offering more with Cambridge playing on the break, but coming up against the resilient Sutton back line. Half way through the second period another penalty corner to Sutton with Tancred's strike falling to Goodley, who made no mistake in slotting the ball home to give the away team the lead. Once again Cambridge began to blitz, but Wallis and her defence were tireless in their resilience despite conceding numerous penalty corners. Once again the tide seemed to be turning, but Sutton wouldn't give it up. The away side were unlucky not to go 2 goals clear when Connie Gittins had an effort deflected in, but unfortunately the goal was ruled out for the initial shot being too high. Justifiably so. Soon after Goodley made another break but the shot agonisingly tricked past the goalkeepers far post. 10 minutes left and Cambridge threw caution to the wind and another penalty corner was the outcome. This time from a direct strike, the ball unluckily hit Sutton defender Cooper's stick and looped over the stranded Wallis to give the home side and equaliser. 4 minutes later the home side took the lead when picking up a loose ball the Cambridge player expertly weaved into the D before unleashing a shot which Sutton keeper Wallis undoubtedly had covered, unfortunately the ball deflected off a home players stick and went over the prostrate Wallis. Now 3-2 down Sutton gave everything, but unfortunately to no avail and the final whistle went with the home side getting the 3 points. The ladies from Long Sutton were clearly devastated having given so much, and that included a wrap on the knee for Lisa Baker who we hope will be fit for next week. Nothing else could have been asked, but with other results going with Sutton they remain joint top of the league, but Cambridge now sit 1 point behind but with a game in hand. Next week its back to Peele School where Long Sutton will be looking to right the wrongs from this week and get the points available from City of Peterborough 2nds.