MATCH REPORT

If ever there was a test to see how far this side has grown this season, this was one. In appalling conditions, Sutton welcomed a very strong St Ives 4's to the Peele Leisure centre. With a squad of 15, Sutton were up for this one, however St Ives pushed them back early on. The defence of Julie Skate, Claire Sisson, George Synott and Gemma Parr kept them at bay with Keeper Lorraine Wallis only called into action a couple of times, with a routine save and an easy clearance. The midfield of Penny Perowne, Jasmine Smith and Lucy Smith were again the engine room, linking the defence to the forward line of Lottie Dack, Wendy Canham and Amelia Norey. Again Amelia Norey, was full of intelligent running, with Wendy Canham taking up some great positions on the base-line, but the breakthrough would not come. Lottie Dack was her usual effervescent self, giving the opposition keeper some concern. The bench was being used to the full, with Sarah Skate, Becky Hales, Florence Perowne and Aimee Betts, coming on, giving the squad a fluidity and an energy that belies the league in which the two's currently sit. Although winning a couple of short corners, still the breakthrough did not come and the half finished 0-0.

With a chat at half-time, asking the squad to push a little harder for the 50/50 balls, Sutton were keen to come out fighting. The game was certainly an entertaining one, although with the conditions, there were understandably few spectators to enjoy the show. Although St Ives continued to be strong on the break, Sutton were defending superbly, again allowing very little to get through to Wallis, Claire Sisson the pick of the defenders in thwarting anything that St Ives could throw at her. With the game heading for a stalemate, Sutton forced a short corner following a goal-mouth scramble. The ball was injected with speed by Lottie Dack and found Gemma Parr at the top, the power in her shot taking the keeper by surprise, and smashing against the back board. 1-0 Sutton. With 5 minutes to go St Ives tried to find a way back but the whole squad put in a massive performance to ensure that St Ives made the trip home with nothing, not even having earned a short corner. They were however grateful for the warming hospitality in the clubhouse following a great game in such atrocious conditions.

Man of the match was a difficult one this week with no fewer than 7 players getting a vote, however the decision rightly went to Claire Sisson for her tenacity in her tackles to deny St Ives any real opportunities. Next week Sutton welcome local rivals Pelicans.