MATCH REPORT

Long Sutton Ladies were just glad to be back after a much longer that usual Christmas Break, having not played last week as the opposition had succumbed to the virus. Although raring to go, Sutton were short on numbers and took the trip with the bare 11, two of those, returning from long-term injuries. With all 11 finally arrived, having encountered a strong independent Sat Nav guide, Sutton took to the field to find Cambs South 6ths had a squad of 15! Sutton, however were not to be deterred and took the game to their opposition from the pushback. Great positional play from youngster Amelia Norey on the right wing, ably assisted by centre forward Wendy Canham and left forward Becky Hales (a new position for her following her long injury break) meant that Sutton were playing the game high in the Cambs South half. The mid-field dynamo of Jasmine Smith, covering every blade of the Astro, along with Lottie Dack and Esme Whitelam meant that Cambs South had to defend in numbers to prevent Sutton taking the lead. A break down the left led to Lottie Dack having a cracking shot on goal, only to see the ball hit the side of the post and go harmlessly wide. Much to her annoyance! Sutton had to be mindful of Cambs South on the break though and once again Gemma Parr was her imperious self, reading the game well and snuffing out any danger. Anything that did get through was dealt with by one of the meanest defences in the league, of Julie Skate, Claire Sisson (another one returning from injury) and the ever -reliable Lucy Smith. Cambs Souh were reduced to only a few encounters into the Sutton D with keeper Lorraine Wallis a virtual spectator.

Half time came with no score and the team talk was buoyant with Sutton knowing that, should this have been a boxing match, they were winning on points. Captain Wallis asked her team to tweak a few little bits of their play to try to ensure that the ball, which doesn't tire, was moved a little quicker before Cambs South had time to make a tackle. She also asked that free hits were sometimes taken quicker as the opposition definitely knew how to set a press. The second half started and Cambs South had also clearly had an upbeat half-time talk as they attacked Sutton from the off, however once again Sutton were in no mood to give them an inch . Sutton have come a long way since the start of the season and they were playing some scintillating hockey, moving the ball from back to front sharply. Sutton did have a moment of danger though with Wallis beaten, it seemed that Cambs South were destined to take the lead, however Julie Skate had other ideas and put in a last- ditch goal line save. Not content with that a few moments later she was instrumental in setting up Sutton's first goal, playing a sublime ball through to Lottie Dack who turned and smashed the ball past the South Keeper. 1-0 Sutton. This seemed to spur Cambs South on and they upped the tempo, however Sutton upped the tempo even more and the whole team put in a shift. Centre forward, Wendy Canham making deeper runs and tracking the opposition to break up their play. Esme Whitelam was linking well with Jasmine Smith and some great balls were played through to Amelia Norey who continued to make intelligent runs. Space was being created and the game was opening up. Esme Whitelam picked up a loose ball down the right and after a mazy run, she found herself in the D and she made no mistake finishing past the GK to make it 2-0 Sutton. South did find their way back into the game with a scuffed shot which Wallis should have done better with to put some tension into the game and there was another moment of danger after a shove on Wallis saw a South forward hit the post and narrowly put the follow up wide. Sutton were in no mood to go away without the 3 points, however and with Lottie Dack and Becky Hales switching positions, they continued to fight to the end and saw out the game, without any further scares, in fact earning a number of short corners, which unfortunately they were not able to convert.