MATCH REPORT

A frustrating afternoon for the ladies of Long Sutton at St Ives in a game they should surely have one. Sutton arrived buoyed by their second half performance last week against Spalding and looking to claim all three points against their rivals, who were experiencing their first test in this league having been promoted last season. From the first minute of the game Long Sutton were dominant. Flowing hockey, good movement and chances created. In fact that was going to be the story of the match with Sutton forcing some 17 short corners during the 70 minute period. However, playing with a high line their exuberance got punished by two breakaways from the home side and Sutton found themselves 0-2 down to their lowly opposition. The first arose from high pressing by Sutton, however St Ives managed to thread a length of the pitch hit out which found their high forward who controlled and had the legs on Tania White to move into the D and calmly slot the ball under the left arm of Lorraine Wallis as she sped from her line. The second goal was another long hit down the left wing and a quick move into the D which enabled St Ives to double their lead with a shot to the near post with covering defender Lauren Cooper and keeper Wallis unable to prevent the ball entering the goal. Long Sutton were not playing badly, far from it. Cooper, Wallis , White along with Gemma Parr and Lisa Baker, Amber Jones were controlling the defence. It seemed incredulous that, despite all efforts Sutton found themselves in this situation. Composing themselves Sutton continued to press forward with skipper Jo Bland and Man of the match Charlie Leuty dominant in pushing the midfield forward. Great forays out wide by the Gittins twins Emmie and Connie together with hard running by Leah Goodley pushed St Ives back and the movement of striker Lyn Tancred up front enabled chance after chance to be created and thwarted either by good goalkeeping of unlucky finishing. Short corner after short corner seemed to ensue and it was from one of these that Long Sutton halved the deficit. Baker Injecting to Tancred who slipped left to Leuty to calmly shot over the keeper and into the goal. In some respects Long Sutton didn't need half time but it came and went and the match continued in the same format. Time after time Sutton made inroads into the St Ives 25 with some lovely play, but each time the attack seemed to be snuffed out. As time continued Sutton took more and more chances which gave the home side some opportunities to progress forward. Sutton defender Cooper took a blow to the head which forced her retirement from the game but that never hindered Sutton in their approach. With the game nicely poised St Ives got only their second short corner of the day and a well worked slip move to the left saw their player left the ball over the advancing Wallis to again give the home side a two goal advantage. The score line was clearly not a reflection of the game, but nothing is exact in sport. St Ives worked hard to defend what they had and Long Sutton kept pressing. The passing and movement of the away side not being ignored or lost as they continued to press forward. 13 minutes were left on the clock when Goodley ran through from midfield and managed to get a shot off which rebounded off the keepers left hand post. Fortunately for Sutton Tancred was there to pick the rebound up and the score was 2-3. Within 5 minutes the scores were level as again good movement saw the ball fall to Tancred in the D who calmly controlled and shot between the keeper's legs for the 3-3 score line. With time running down Sutton continued the momentum and were unlucky not to score again with efforts grazing the wrong side of the post. If any team was going to win the game it was the away side. Then a beautiful ball from Goodley to Tancred saw the forward run into the D one of one with a defender and keeper, but as she prepared for an outcome the final whistle was blown and the game ended. A missed opportunity from the away side to get all three points, but the way in which they continued to battle with time running out was the big positive of the day. Other results didn't help Long Sutton out and they now sit 5th 2 points behind 3rd place. However the top 2 teams are now 7 and 9 points clear. Lots to work on in the second half of the season, but one more match before the Christmas break where Sutton travel down the road to local rivals Wisbech at 1030am next Saturday