MATCH REPORT

Long Sutton Ladies returned to league action after a surprise week off. After a week of drama, captain White was glad to have a full squad available against a side relegated from the division above Sutton last season.

The game started well for Sutton who found themselves 1-0 up after 2 mins. Good running from Katie Collingwood-Smith, who fed the ball to Emmy Gittins, who passed to Connie Gittins. Her fierce shot was well saved by the Goalkeeper but the rebound was pounced upon by Hannah Baker. This gave Sutton confidence and they passed the ball around well, keeping the ball high in the St Ives half, with any attacks from St Ives being comfortably dealt with by the defence of Lisa Baker, Captain White, Maisie Sullivan and Lauren Cooper, with keeper Wallis hardly being called into action. Things got better for Sutton on 10 minutes when a short corner resulted in a goalmouth scramble with Jess Burton slotting home, (being the first Burton to score at St Ives that day)! Half-time 2-0 Sutton.

Sutton knew that St Ives would come out strongly in the second half and they did just that reducing arrears less than 3 minutes into the half, after hesitancy in the Sutton defence. However, Sutton were in no mood to let St Ives back into the game, with Amber Jones and Martha Hoyles covering every inch of the Astro to ensure that St Ives couldn't get into a rhythm. With only 5 minutes of the half gone, Sutton were able to restore the two- goal lead when Amber Jones played an intelligent pass into Hannah Baker, who again fed Connie Gittins to slam home. There was an element of good fortune about this goal though as it was unclear whether the umpire had blown for a short corner just before the ball crossed the line, however after a discussion between the two umpires, the goal stood.

Sutton were using their squad to the full, with both Gemma Parr and Charlotte Walsh being played in different positions, and they continued to attack St Ives. However, St Ives were able to win a couple of short corners, and during one of those, after a bit of a tussle between Lisa Baker and Wallis in goal, the ball was played to the right of the Sutton D and a shot found it's way past Wallis who really should have done better. This gave St Ives confidence, however Sutton were able to hold firm with good defending from Maise Sullivan and Tania White. Full time 3-2 to Sutton, who are at home next week to Cambs University 3's.

Man of the match was tight this week but was awarded to Amber Jones for her tiresome running, covering every blade of Astro.