MATCH REPORT

 As Long Sutton Ladies had failed to win last weeks must-win game, this weekend bought a must-win game against St Ives 2's. Long Sutton had beaten them away earlier in the season but since then St Ives had picked up some valuable wins which had seen them move away from the foot of the table. Forced into a formation change with the absence of skipper Jo Bland, Sutton started strongly taking the game to St Ives. The midfield trio of Gittins, Gittins and Jones working hard to feed the ball to lone striker Baker. The two screens of Parr and Walker were there to provide protection for the defence of Burton, Sullivan, White and Cooper and the system was working well in the early stages with St Ives barely able to break into the Sutton D. They did, however, have one foray and a speculative shot was well dealt with by Wallis. With sub Dodd able to come on anywhere across the middle Sutton were able to maintain a high press which they continued throughout the whole of the first half. They won a number of short corners but whilst they were not able to convert, they were making the St Ives keeper work hard, something that was lacking the previous week. With 10 mins gone with the keeper having made a couple of saves, the ball found it's way to Walker pushing high up the pitch and whilst her initial save was again well saved, she made no mistake with the rebound. 1-0 Sutton! St Ives continued to probe however and one player was proving difficult to tackle and after a couple of half-hearted attempts she stuck a sweet shot past the helpless Wallis to bring the scores level.

 Half time and the score was the same as last week against Alford and whilst the team talk was buoyant with Sutton knowing that they were playing good hockey, Wallis reminded the team of last weeks result and how it had not felt good. Sutton came out determined but St Ives started the half better however Burton and Sullivan were working well together to snuff out everything that was being thrown at them as was White and Cooper. St Ives were pressing hard and making it difficult to maintain possession. With 22 minutes of the half gone however Sutton won a short corner and again Walker was on hand to slot home. Sutton saw out the rest of the to take a deserved and very valuable three points with every single member of the squad having contributed to a great team effort. Walker, however, took the accolades for the man of the match.