MATCH REPORT

After what seemed an eternity hockey at long Sutton finally recommenced under somewhat "normal" circumstances. Fresh off the back of a third lockdown Sutton's 1st team find themselves in a new league after a successful half season ending unbeaten. We welcome Matt Holmes as new skipper giving thanks to Matt Braginton who stepped down at the start of the new season.

After a set of strong of performances in preseason against sides playing higher leagues than themselves it proved there strength both in defence and going forward.

And so league hockey commences some 322 days since the last season was cut short, and what better than a the local derby to start proceedings. Having drawn 4-4 with spaldings 1st team in weeks previous hopes were high facing there next best. A determined group of green army men took to the pitch and started as they meant to go on with a majority of play in spaldings 25 with baker opening his season tally very early on hitting a rebound first time in to the netting of the goal, 1-0 LSHC. Carrying on in the same vein baker was keen to add his second only taking a Brief interlude to practise his parkour skills coming second best to the pitches fence after what we can only assume was an attempted back flip (Joshua bakers first fine of the season) the second goal soon came perhaps not through Sutton's usual source baker feeding an easy tap in for Andy Shore, 2-0 LSHC.

Defensively the like of Holmes, gray, donaghy and Jackson had very little to do and Keeper Calderbank even less, although when called upon there was very little in terms of threat to goal. Some may say Jackson whitened his teeth to diguise distract the people of his performance is a semi unfamiliar position to him. As for the rest of the half there is very little to talk of as play remained in spaldings half. Sutton perhaps not as on target as they'd like coming close from fyson, Sargent, Taylor and proctor. Proctor having a lie down in an attempt to disguise his inability to hit a barn door. (Proctors first Dotd of the season)

A swift team talk and the the game got back underway. Continuing in the same vein Spalding found it hard to handle the Sutton forward line with a foray of shots peppering the Spalding keeper and an amount of short corners came to no avail. That is until Josh Fyson opened his account for the season dribbling round the first runner and keeper to simply slot the ball into the goal. 3-0 LSHC.

Shortly afterward Will Taylor added his first to the game with an unstoppable forehand shot into the top left corner. 4-0 LSHC. Sutton's strength in the game continued Subs rolling well to keep fresh legged and always on the front foot, Dom & Cam Ibrahim both offering themselves valuable in defensive and midfield positions.

Finally ending the home sides scoring to day the mighty mullet added his second with good work from Nick Ellis and Sargent winning the corners for Taylor to tap in. It was noted whilst happy to have scored another goal the side were more concerned as to whether Proctor Could actually hear messing up the 3rd routine of the afternoon ( Proctors second fine of the season). Regardless 5-0 Sutton.

So, 10 minutes to play, 5-0 up, good to position to be in right ? What could possibly go wrong? At this time Spalding woke and the men in green fell asleep. Met as the door as they crossed paths. 1st being calderbank expecting he would make his marathon slide ( 5 yards) to clear the ball which rather unfortunately only ending short, 4 yards short to be exact and was unlucky to not make it back before the ball was in the goal. Second one well it ended in the goal. After 2 shots across the bow to wake the defence the attacking line of baker Ellis and Sargent ensured the visitors knew that there fun had come to an end and that the green army were back in the drivers seat of this match and were just unlucky to have ran out of time before adding to the tally. Final score 5-2 LSHC

And so week 1 down 3 points on the board +3 goal difference. A near perfect start for the men in green as they look to right the the few wrongs in training before looking for 3 more points next Saturday away to st ives 1st. Man of the match was fan favourite Will Taylor for an exceptional goal aswell as another and high work rate to top it off. DOTD was Luke Proctor for wearing a stick to the neck and having a lie down.