MATCH REPORT

After 2 excellent friendly wins to start the season, we had high hopes for a win at Lynn. It was a very hot day and the 12 of us were warmed up and praying for some cloud.

Pelicans pressured us from the start, with some new players and a heavy forward line, but we held strong and within 6 minutes we had scored a goal, with Hannah Baker passing left to Jess Burton, who very calmly slotted the ball into the left corner of the goal, out of the goalie's reach. 1-0 to Long Sutton.

It was a frustrating game and after about 10 minutes Maisie Sullivan swapped herself off for Lauren Cooper. Hannah Burton moved into central defence with Tania White and Cooper settled into the right. Pelicans continued to pressure us in our half, gaining numerous short corners. We defended them well, with Emily Braginton diving left and right, making some very good saves. We made good use of our substitute, with several players taking a breather, leading to many changes in positions across the pitch. Everyone worked really hard and covered the ground well. Then shortly before half time they managed to get one past us to level the score at 1-1.

With Pelicans trying to score another, Amber Jones was defending in the D and got hit in the hand by an opposition stick. She tried to play on but finally went off to apply some ice and plaster. With a minute to go before half time, frustration boiled over and led to time off the pitch for Sullivan. The 1st half ended 1-1. Everyone took on water to cool down and sweets to keep them going. A positive team talk urging everyone to concentrate on playing to the whistle.

We started the 2nd half with 10 players on the pitch, with Jones injured and Sullivan with time left to serve on the sideline. We played well and got the ball into their half, but unfortunately couldn't convert our chances. Pelicans drove the ball down their right wing and took advantage of an overlap to slot the ball past our defence to make it 2-1 to them.

We fought back and managed to win our only short corner of the game, but couldn't convert it. Pelicans attacked our D once again and after numerous shots and diving saves from Braginton they managed to sneak it in at the left post, Cooper having got her stick the wrong way round. 3-1 to Pelicans. Still we kept trying to get one back and when H.Baker connected with the ball at the top of the D and sent the ball high over the keeper into the goal we thought we had done it. Only to be told it had hit a foot earlier and for it to be disallowed. With a few minutes to go one of Pelis players took a tumble and we had the opportunity for a quick drink and some inspirational words from Gemma Parr. We kept trying and didn't let our heads drop. It was a tough game on a very hot day, and we look forward to converting more chances next game.

Player of the match was Jess Burton for her goal and constant attacking and defending. A worthy 2nd place for Hannah Burton who played her 1st game for the 1s.