MATCH REPORT

Long Sutton men's 1st take 3rd spot in Division 2nw

After a weeks hiatus from league action and lack of cup fixtures the return in no greater fortune number wise than Jane they had left. The returning holiday makers of watt and sargeant gave the side hope by only 2 further holiday makers departing in Ibrahim and international representative nick Ellis on his South Africa tour. Fear not as an up to now Jimmy Harrison freshly married promised of an appearance to bolster the side number but alas to no aveil.

So again 11 merry men of long Suttons men's 1s would go toe to toe with what saints would have to throw at us. Only this time it would be st ives at the other end. St ives men's 2s and long Sutton are one of a few early stalwarts of the New England hockey east league division 2 north west having done battle every year since it's formation 3 years ago and a battle some have certainly been. Having lost 4-3 on season 22/23 close at st Ives the side were keen for abit of revenge for the much in form side.

St Ives start the day sat 1 point above long Sutton in 4th with st Neots only 2 above them in third. This game had a lot to offer. Win and you go to third, draw or worse and stagnate yourself around the bottom of the top 5.

The game got underway and the first 5 could've gone either way a couple of early st Ives chances were well snuffed out by the defence of proctor, fyson Donaghy and Oldfield. Going up the other end the froward lines of Taylor, plant, watt and sergeant proved dangerous as always. The middle of east and gray gave the 3 st Ives midfielders a nightmarish day. Shorts would soon come Suttons way and come to good effect with fyson converting 2 in the opening 25 minutes. St Ives continued to have their chances and remained composed on the ball. They would deflect a goal past the helpless unsighted cliff in goal just before half time. HALF TIME 2-1 long Sutton

Having completed a well rounded 1st half with a couple of tweaks the men in green went out as the left off in the first half. Quick passing and moving got them in and around the 25 just lacking that final touch for outcomes inside the d in the early exchanges of the half. Mazy runs from east and the impressive gray gave the midfield further headache drawing 3 in and writing them out the game once beaten. Shorts corners again would come long Suttons way. Fyson rounding off his hatrick from a well worked short corner.

Now, usually around this point with 10 to go Sutton would tend to take their foot off the gas and defend their way to 3 points. Whilst the defence were still tested throughout the half with a handful of shorts and some decent chances these again were snuffed out and generally dwarfed by the attacking play going down the other end. Plant, gray, east and watt ran tirelessly providing constant chances. Sergeant again looked dangerous on the ball but all just missing that last touch to add to the score. As both teams tried and tried to change the score line it wouldn't come the final whistle and the men in green has done the unthinkable once again.

It is testament to the hard work and grit to the men's 1st this year as they continue to back one another in all aspects of play. Their determination to take the game to opponents is paying dividends unlike in previous season as they now find themselves rightfully in the top 3. They now have a run including the bottom 3 and a test in 2nd placed march in the run up to Christmas.