LSHC Ladies First v Spalding 1sts

Played Away on 12th October 2019
Next Match
12th Oct 2019 Mens' 1st - Home vs St Ives 1sts

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Connie Gittins profile

Position:
Outfield
Appearances:
19
Goals:
16

Always a keenly contested affair and this was no exception. The ladies knew that to stop the Spalding steam train they would have to stick to the game plan and put in a good shift without key players in Tania White and Hannah Baker but with the returning Amber Jones. Spalding started the brighter pushing Sutton back however they couldn't create any chances from the early domination. The deadlock was broken shortly after Maisie Sullivan was shown a straight yellow for a clash with an opposition player. Spalding forced a short corner and after a goalmouth scramble the ball was pushed home. A slick move from Gittins Gittins and Jones provided a chance but it went wide. Sullivan restored and no further score gave Sutton confidence and this propelled them forward again however this time, a free hit from Gemma Parr saw the ball come across into the D for Amber Jones to push past the keeper. Parity restored. The game ebbed and flowed largely in midfield with Sutton stopping the direct ball down the middle of the pitch to the high Spalding forward but the overload on the Sutton left was still creating problems. Spalding will probably rue the lack of shots in this period, largely down to the Long Sutton man to man pressure and resilience. After a slight change at half time, Sutton began the second half on the front foot. A ball through to Katie Collingwood-Smith was passed to Jones beating the defender who then slipped the ball across and back to Katie but she couldn't quite get on the end of it for Sutton to take the lead. Captain Jo Bland had been the Conductor of the Sutton orchestra all game while breaking up every attack through the middle and when she moved 10 yards higher, it forced her opposite captain and equally as important Conductor deeper and stymied that threat for much of the second half. Neither team could carve out the chance they yearned for. As the clock wound down the work-rate increased and with 2 minutes left, Spalding earned a short corner. This turned into 4 then 5 and time ran out. One last effort needed and one last effort succeeded in repelling the attacking home side urged on by the vociferous partisan crowd. Upon reflection, it was a fair result with neither team producing the moment of quality to break the deadlock. Our young players continue to grow with Jemima Dodd playing exceptionally well today, Katie Collingwood-Smith moving better and playing intelligent balls whenever possible. Jess Burton ran tirelessly in a number of positions showing good ability to change roles quickly. The deadly trio of Connie & Emmy Gittins and Amber Jones are back together and hopefully this will become as productive as last season. A well earned point meant Spalding dropped their first points of the season and it's on to another top side in Saffron Walden next week.