MATCH REPORT

 Long Sutton 1sts travelled to St Ives for this game on a cold, wet and windy Saturday morning. A slow start was expected however from the pushback, the ball went back to the St Ives defence and a ball across the pitch was intercepted by Connie Gittins who drove into the D and slotted past the diving keeper. What a start. The game slowed down a bit with both sides feeling the cold. Sutton having a squad for the first time this season took a while to adapt to both the change in personnel and having a break, however, Sutton had the lion's share of possession and the game was largely played in the St Ives half. Again, the dynamic trio of Connie & Emmy Gittins and Amber Jones terrorized the opposition with their pace and understanding but couldn't get the D penetrations required. However, slightly against the run of play, on the stroke of half-time, St Ives secured a short corner and somehow snuck the ball inside the post and out of the reach of Lorraine Wallis in goal.

 The second half started with a much-galvanized St Ives team trying to break down the midfield and defence but it held firm. Most attacks were broken down before they got in the D but any that did were ably dealt with by Wallis who pulled off a few good saves. Around the 45-minute mark, an attacking short corner was initially saved but the open play which followed found Jemima Dodd at the top of the D who cracked a shot past the keeper into the upper part of the net. Her first senior goal and she celebrated accordingly. Sutton continued to play great hockey in patches but found themselves too narrow at times which allowed St Ives to press forward. It turned into an end to end game for the last 20 minutes with both sides pushing and pulling to gain the advantage. A ball out of defence from Jess Burton found Emmy Gittins who played quickly to Connie Gittins. The following 4 passes between Connie and Amber Jones split open the St Ives defence and left the keeper standing as Connie swept in the move of the match into the open goal. 3-1 with 10 minutes left and St Ives threw everything at Sutton. Everyone was giving their best and Sutton kept breaking with intelligent runs, but they couldn't get another goal. The wise heads of the St Ives defence stopping anything getting through. Quick movement from St Ives and great running off the ball finished up with Wallis unable to get across the goal quick enough to keep the ball out which left a frantic last 4 minutes. However, Sutton controlled much of this time and managed the game sensibly to see out the time. The MOM award is being changed to the ‘Gittins' of the match with Connie picking up her second award of the season. This after sister Emmy got it last week. both girls have been in blistering form this season.

 Another week with different challenges but another 3 points. The confidence in each other is growing in this team and has shown that players coming in perform to the same level. The new young players are becoming comfortable on the ball and the forward dynamic is a superb shift from last season. Next week is a different challenge against the league leaders and will need everyone on point but for now, the only way to come away from a cold, wet and windy pitch, soaked to the skin is to bring 3 points with you. Well played everyone.

 Report by John Sullivan