MATCH REPORT

This week saw Long Sutton 1st XI head to Hitchin to play Blueharts 2 in their first away game of the season. Sutton started the brighter side with a lovely counter attacking run down the right wing from Dan Batten. His cross found man of the match Ben Shore, who neatly tucked away to put Sutton 1-0 up. The lead didn't last long however as Blueharts equalised and then went 2-1 up through some soft passing from Sutton. Some excellent team spirit saw Sutton pull together and equalize 1 minute later with a lovely strike by Batten from the top of the D to take both teams into half time square at 2-2. Determined to improve on the first half, Sutton again started the stronger team, going 3-2 up 43 seconds into the second half. A quick self pass from Will Cook after a Blueharts foul saw him drive into the D and find Shore who coolly added his second. 2 minutes later, some awesome skill from Josh Fyson again found Shore who completed his hat trick by hammering the ball into the net. 4-2 Sutton. The next 10 minutes of play saw Sutton defending resolutely as Blueharts were determined to get back in the game. They pulled the score back to 4-3 after converting a well worked shortcorner routine that went in off the cross bar. Sutton were certainly starting to feel the impact of only travelling with 12 men but this didnt stop Jamie Featherstone extending the lead after he found himself on the floor in the D. His determination to still keep possession saw the ball ping pong off 2 Blueharts defenders and straight in the goal. Blueharts continued to press and eventually added a 4th but this didn't stop Sutton. A great ball from Fyson found its way to Cook, who scored a sensational goal to ensure the game finished 6-4 and Sutton took home all 3 points. Report by Will 'Pirate' Cook.