MATCH REPORT

So, the final game of the season! In glorious sunshine, Sutton welcomed a strong Ely side to the Peele Leisure Centre. Having beaten top of the table the week before Sutton were in confident mood but knew that sport could take you to great lows as well as heights and they set about their task of taking the game to Ely. It was clear that Ely had come prepared and they had a game plan to soak up pressure and hit Sutton on the break with their number 7 and number 4 particularly strong. Sutton have a very sound defensive unit with Julie Skate, Claire Sisson, George Synnott and Gemma Parr standing firm, ably supported by the mid-field line of Esme Whitelam, Emma Grosvenor and Jasmine Smith who were tracking back to ensure that Ely could not get a foothold in the game. Sutton began to take control and the forward line of Florence Perowne, Wendy Canham and Amelia Norey were making inroads into the D but the final outcome was just eluding them. With a strong bench Sutton were able to rotate and the fresh legs of Lucy Smith, Lottie Dack and Aimee Betts slotted in seamlessly. Penny Perowne, making her way back from injury also putting in a cameo appearance. Ely did have a few chances of their own forcing a couple of short corners but the half ended goalless.

Sutton's captain Wallis had asked at the beginning of the game that Sutton gave everything, one final time and it was evident that this instruction was being followed to the letter. Lottie Dack having to take a seat on the subs bench for the start of second half and Esme Whitelam also asking for a well- earned break. The second half was almost completely dominated by Sutton, the game being played entirely in the Ely half, but chances went begging, Amelia Norey, Florence Perowne and Wendy Canham all going close. Gemma Parr hit a well struck shot at a short corner but unfortunately the Ely keeper was equal to it. Sutton tried a varied short corner from the other side which confused the Ely defence but again they were just not able to force the ball over the line. Lottie Dack returned from the bench and found herself in a great position on the base-line for a through ball from Gemma Parr but the final touch eluded her, much to her annoyance. Unfortunately Penny Perowne was forced off, her return from injury maybe a little to early, an unfortunate end to what has been a great first season after a number of years out of the game.

Unfortunately, Sutton were not able to take the 3 points in the final game, but the jubilation from Ely at the final whistle is testament to the great season that Sutton have had. They are a team that opposition want to beat, not expect to beat. A tremendous season which sees them sit third in the table. A season that they can be very proud of and a season that has seen tremendous growth in both the more senior ladies as well as an extremely talented group of youngsters.

Player of the match was tight between three players but was taken by Jasmine Smith who had a great game and also had the audacity to take the ball from her mum!