MATCH REPORT

 The mantra for this half of the season is simple for Sutton. Improve on the results of the games from the first half of the season and so far so good. Sutton had beaten St Ives in the first half of the season but went into the game knowing that they must not take anything for granted. Playing a team lower in the league can sometimes bring about complacency, but not for this ladies side. The weather for the reverse fixture away had been horrendous, however could not have been different, with Sutton taking to the home pitch on a fine sunny afternoon. St Ives knew that they were in for a battle from the off with Sutton taking the lead, just as a number of spectators were still getting out their cars. Fine interplay between the Gittins twins setting up a goal for the less prolific of the two, Emmy. Great advantage having been played by the umpire. After the initial shock St Ives did settle a little and bought the game to Sutton, however they were unable to trouble the defence, which had been forced into a change with usual left back, Lauren Cooper watching from a wheelchair on the sideline. Not to be outdone, the second goal was scored by Connie Gittins having taken the ball into the D and shot past the St Ives Keeper. Half time and 2-0 Sutton. The second half was a bit of a spectator sport for the Sutton defence, with Burton busier in the St Ives half than the Sutton one. St Ives won only one short corner all game, and as usual excellent running from Sullivan and Baker snuffed out any threat. The game was being dominated by the Sutton midfield of the excellent Dodd, Gittins and Collingwood-Smith, with Parr pushing forward too. Even White had a chance to shoot but chose to pass to prevent a nose bleed from having been so far up the pitch. A further four goals were added to the tally, with a further three for Connie Gittins, two of which were rebounds off shots from player of the match Hanner Baker, who did everything but score, and the final one a tap in at the far post, just reward for another excellent performance from "Jimmy" Dodd. Objective achieved, and Sutton now move up to third in the table.