MATCH REPORT

Long Sutton travelled to local rivals March on the back of their first league defeat last week with a little trepidation as this fixture is always a tough one, however Sutton are up for the new challenges set for this season. March had a large squad and started the game brightly. They were leaving forwards high, and the defence of Julie Skate, Gemma Parr, Lucy Smith and Emma Grosvenor, ably marshalled by keeper Wallis, had to be on their toes from the off. But on their toes they were and they were shutting down March's attacks and feeding the ball through to the willing runners in midfield of Jasmine Smith, Lottie Dack and Penny Perowne, who in turn looked to feed the forward line of Flo Perowne, Wendy Canham and Amelia Norey. With Amelia Norey making some intelligent runs into space Sutton were having some success in driving down the right but the final ball into the D was not quite coming off and the game was end to end without any real goalmouth action from either side. With a squad of 13 of their own Sutton were able to rotate and bring on fresh legs in Georgina Synnott and Aimee Betts. The half finished goalless which was probably a fair reflection although March had edged possession.

The half-time team talk was in good spirit, with Sutton knowing that they were holding their own. The task for the second half was to try to pass the ball, before running into contact, to try to protect possession a little better, as whilst honours were even in respect of the score-line, March were definitely in the ascendancy on the possession front. To their credit Sutton took this on board into the second half and pushed March back, again finding success down the right with Amelia Norey continuing to make some great runs and calls. As the game became stretched, March did find themselves in the D with a one of one with Wallis, but the danger was snuffed out. Sutton won a short corner which they worked well but the March keeper, was able to repel a well struck shot from Parr. It was evident that one goal could well win this game and so it was to be. A passage of play out from the back, saw the ball with Lottie Dack who found Amelia Norey. She drove down the wing and played a delightful ball into the D, for George Synott who in turn slipped the ball to Wendy Canham to find the back of the net. 1-0 Sutton! There was to be late drama with March winning a short corner but the miserly defence were in no mood to let the lead slip. Sutton left March with all 3 points and big smiles.

Player of the match was never in doubt, Amelia Norely by a landslide. Next week Sutton take on top of the table Cambs South 5ths.