MATCH REPORT

Back after the last weekends "Whiteout!" this Saturday we were entertained to a local rivalry and derby as Long Sutton took that short trip down to road to play Spalding. These games are always something to look forward to and this one did not disappoint. Glen Park looked resplendent on a barmy, spring day, with temperatures around 15 degrees. At 1pm, the crowd were set, both teams were set and the Umpires blew the whistle to start the game. Coach Neil Evans along with Manager Lawrie Sullivan had planned well for the game and the team had reverted back to a 4,2,3,1 formation in order to nullify any threat from Spalding down the middle of the pitch, with special attention given to one of Spalding's playmakers. The object was to defend tightly and defend outside the D. The home side are known for their short corner routines and Long Sutton had to minimise them. The first 10 minutes saw Spalding more the aggressor, but the defensive line up of Lauren Cooper, Lisa Baker, Gemma Parr and the exceptional Tania White along with Charlie Leuty and Skipper Jo Bland kept the Spalding chances to a minimum. There were one of two long range efforts but Sutton keeper Lorraine Wallis was being protected well. Movement was key, with starting wings Connie and Emmie Gittins dropping back to fill up space out wide and help to compact the game. As the game settled Long Sutton began to play some delightful hockey and started to move the ball forward. Lyn Sullivan (formerly Tancred) was back to somewhere near her best up front and was ably supported by Leah Goodley and they began to cause the Spalding defence issues. It was entertaining stuff from both sides but Sutton in this half were establishing a slight dominance, if there is such a thing. Key interchanges saw Louise Southgate, Amber Jones and Jess Burton brought into the system and they fitted in seamlessly, with Southgate being asked to play various positions on the pitch and also unlucky not to give Sutton the lead when played in by Sullivan. The entertaining first half continued and then with about 12 minutes till the break Sutton got their chance. Connie Gittins found herself in acres of space on the halfway line having run some 30 yards from the opposite side of the pitch. Not picked up by Spalding she picked up the ball and as she drove into the D she threaded a ball through to Sullivan, who despite being fouled kept going until she was fouled again by the home keeper and a penalty flick was awarded. Up stepped player of the match Tania White to coolly hit the back board and Long Sutton had taken the lead. The entertainment continued but there was no more scoring as the game reached its break. The talk at half time was about being more aggressive, getting forward quicker to support the front and putting Spalding under more pressure. Playing a higher game, The second half saw Long Sutton in the ascendancy. The Spalding keeper and their player of the match was being kept busy. Southgate missed another opportunity having been set up by Sullivan, the ball grazing the post as it slipped by the goal and Sullivan herself brought out a superb one handed save to her left by the Spalding goalkeeper to keep the score 0-1. Leuty, Goodley and Bland were snapping at heels and the wide players Jones and the Gittins twins never stopped running. Sullivan continued to make the lead runs and Sutton continued to go forward. However, this was a day where the defensive set up were the foundation to the success. Baker, Burton Parr and White snuffed out most things Spalding tried to create. Wallis herself whilst not this week being asked to put her body on the line held things together with great communication. Sutton put a lot into the game and it wasn't a surprise that in the last few minutes of the game Spalding threw everything to get something from the game. Short corners were key and Sutton had done a good job to restrict them, but the last couple of mins saw 2 awarded to Spalding, they only got 4 in the match. The second of these saw the ball diverted away from Wallis by the Sutton runner Cooper and everyone held their breath as the ball trickled the wrong side of the post for those Spalding players. That really was the last real action and Long Sutton ran out 1-0 winners. A thoroughly entertaining game by played by both sides is fantastic spirit for a local derby. The win ensures that Long Sutton consolidate their 5th place in the league with 1 game left to play. Only 4 defeats all season for Sutton but too many draws, 7 in total. A season of what might have been, but nevertheless a good one.