MATCH REPORT

After last weeks draw, Long Sutton Ladies 1's welcomed Cambs Nomads 1's to the Peele School pitch with high hopes of gaining a win. The game-plan was similar to last week which was to play hard, fast combative hockey in defence while using the flanks and pace in attack. The only change saw Katie Collingwood-Smith come in for Gemma Parr. With injuries hampering 2 key players, game management would be key. The game plan was to settle into the game and make sure that we didn't concede and make sure that we gained the upper hand early on. It couldn't have gone better as Sutton controlled this period pushing Cambs deep into there half. Quick passing between the midfield and forwards led to an early short corner but it wasn't converted. Not to be deterred, slick passing between Connie and Emmy Gittins pierced the Nomads D and a slipped ball across left Jess Burton to ghost in and slot home for close range for her first goal of the season and Suttons first goal. Sutton continued to press hard and closed down all of the Nomads advances. With Captain Bland controlling and distributing from her deeper role of Screen, the midfield had plenty of space and opportunity to run at the defence. Time after time MOM Jemima Dodd, Jess Burton, Katie Collingwood-Smith and the Gittins twins were devastating in passing with pace and accuracy to bypass any attempted tackle. This coupled along with the strong running of forward Hannah Baker created numerous chances but none could be taken until 4 minutes before half time when the second short corner of the game was stopped and struck in by Connie Gittins with a strong strike which left the keeper no chance. From the restart, Nomads played down the left hand side and maybe a slight lapse before half time led to a short corner being conceded and a smart routine allowed the injector to sweep in from the left hand side. A half time chat about shape and reminder about game management and we were off again. The Nomads usual hard style was met by an equally strong Sutton side. No quarter asked or given. Nomads tried hard to get back into the game, but the speed of the Sutton attacks meant that it was inly a matter of time before the lead was extended. This time Hannah Baker rounded off an impressive game with her first goal of the season. The game carried on and the only time Lorraine Wallis was called into action was to stop a deflected effort, but this was dealt with easily. An injury to players on either side showed the competitive edge but Sutton saw out the game for a well deserved 3 points.