MATCH REPORT

Sutton travelled to unknown Sudbury on Saturday to try and kick start their season The game started evenly as both teams tried to size each other up. Sudbury created the early chances with their ‘old skool' hockey of smash the ball into the D. Sutton thwarted these attacks superbly then started to take control of the game. MOM Whatling was superb up and down the right, linking up with the ever busy Dan Batten causing huge problems for oppositions defence and Shore and Jackson were working hard up front creating space and chances. The deadlock was rightly broken by Sutton after their sustained pressure. Harrison superbly robbed the ball in the midfield and in one flowing move sent a bullet of pass to Cook who majestically deflected the ball into the top corner. A goal the famous Nick Bailey would have been proud of. Sudbury managed to equalise with a bit of fortune as Ed's clearance got caught under is foot and the Sudbury striker nipped in and put the ball into the open goal. 1-1 halftime. The second half was even more dominated by Sutton as nearly all the hockey was played in the Sudbury half. Sudbury, again, only offering their smash and hope hockey. The excellent Andy Shore was sending ball after ball, with style, down the left flank finding a Sutton player every time. Cookie was ravenous in the midfield, driving through the Sudbury defences and creating all sorts of problems. Sutton created chance after chance but couldn't convert and it was their mistakes which cost them as they gifted Sudbury the lead. Sutton pressed hard for the equaliser as they played some great team hockey but the Sudbury keeper was in fine form. Two more mistakes allowed Sudbury two more goals to give them a 4-1 lead which didn't reflect the game at all. Sutton dominated the game and were astounded they came away with a loss but unfortunately goals win matches not possession or territory. Sutton dominated and were the better team by far but Sudbury took their chances and stole the 3 points.