LSHC Ladies Second v Pelicans 3rds

Played Home on 26th February 2022
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26th Feb 2022 Mens' 2nd - Home vs Cambridge City 6ths

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Jasmine Smith profile

Position:
Outfield
Appearances:
17
Goals:
1

The Long Sutton pitch basked in sunshine on Saturday- a stark contrast to last weeks wind, rain and sleet. With their captain on loan it was vice captain Smith who delivered the team talk and reminded everyone to pass to green and share the ball. Having lent the first team a further three players, the resolute women's 2s lined up. Jasmine Smith put on her pads to guard the Long Sutton goal and the team knew they were in safe hands. As a team who play for each other the game was set to be a cracker.

From the first pushback Sutton felt they were in with a chance of a win. A little shuffle of positions meant it took a while to tune in and forge partnerships to move the ball efficiently. The first attack came from Sutton down the left with a line ball from Sarah Skate and a cross from Hales to a waiting Norey on the far post who was unlucky not to connect. Pelicans however were quick to respond and fast on the break putting the defence of Julie Skate, Sisson and Synott on the run. The experience gained over the season however ensured they repelled the attacks ably assisted by Parr in top form once again. It was clear that there would be nothing left in the tank at the end of the game for any Sutton player. Moments after Betts came on and started to hassle the Pelicans midfield she took a ball to the wrist and to her immense credit after treatment returned to the pitch to give arguably her best performance to date.

It looked like Sutton would be the first to break the deadlock when Parr sent a blinding through ball into the D for Hales, who has bigger feet than she thought. The battle of the midfielders continued with Lucy Smith and Esme Whitelam overturning Pelis attacks and creating chances, linking with Norey to keep the defence busy. At the other end the defence were resolute and young Smith was clearing up any shots with a confidence and determination her captain would have been proud of. Half time and it was still 0-0.

Sutton started the next half brightly as Wendy Canham and L Smith created some sublime attacks, Canham was thwarted by the smallest of margins. J Smith at the other end was called upon to dominate her D when Pelis went 2 on 1 with the keeper and she ably dispatched them, snuffing out the threat. Sutton once again felt in control, winning short corners, long corners and making the Keeper work. Whitelam was desperately unlucky when her reverse stick bullet was saved. Hales had another chance that was just nudged around the post by the keeper and Sutton started to feel a little frustration.

With time ticking away it was Pelis who turned up the heat and had a period of attack that tested the resilience and fitness of the Sutton team. With 8 short corners awarded on the bounce, the Sutton defence should be rightly proud of their commitment to keep the ball out. The final whistle blew at 0-0 and a well deserved POM was awarded to Jasmine Smith. A game that showed true team spirit, we go again next week.