MATCH REPORT

DERBY DAY DELIGHT FOR SUPERB SUTTON

After much build up, derby day was finally upon us. The boys had been up for this one all week and were very keen to be the kryptonite to Wisbech's 100% record. Sutton were at near on full strength with a squad of 15 ready to take on our friends from across the border. Bessy was fired up, Pigman's stick has been shaved and Mac had packed extra bags. It was game time!

Sutton started well with a couple of early chance but nothing of note to cause Wisbech any serious threat. The away side had their own chances too but Cliff was strong between the sticks along with his defence of Oldfield, Fyson, Donaghy and Proctor. About halfway into the half the deadlock was broke and Wisbech opened the scoring. It wasn't much longer afterwards that they would add a second. Sutton had the wind knocked out of them slightly being in a slightly unfamiliar position of late but they reminded themselves of their new 100% positive mindset approach and kept themselves in the game. A few more chances would pass in the half alongside Harrison receiving his marching orders. HT 0-2

The half time team talk was one of positives, reminding ourselves of our strengths, to relax, enjoy and the hockey we know would arrive. Sutton were ready to take on the next half and boy was it an enjoyable one. One thing we haven't noted was the large crowd presence. A brilliant crowd for what was a fantastic fixture. They were in for a treat for the next 35

Sutton set up slightly differently in the second half. Baker on the left, Watt through the centre and Batten on the right. It seemed to work well as the home side had success driving forward and won themselves a short not long into the half. Fyson would smash home the rebound to get the home side on the score board. Sutton were back in the game. Not long later, great work from the likes of Ellis, Gray and Batten meant Watt had a smashing shot towards goal to equalise for the greens. 2-2! The midfield were starting to dominate their battles and cause Wisbech issues. Harrison, East, Gray and Ibrahim were vital. Another for way forward resulted in a rebound falling to Baker to volley home on his backhand sending the home side storming into the lead! The crowd were certainly up and about and bouncing! 5 minutes later. Another short. Another rebound. Baker finished perfectly on the back foot into the top right hand corner! 4-2. Breathing room…

With 10 minutes left on the clock Sutton were into squeaky bum time. They held on relieving themselves on Wisbech pressure well with long balls into the paths of the likes of Taylor, Batten and Sargeant. The later being inches away from a fifth for the home side at the death. Full time, 4-2! A simply remarkable comeback from the greens in the second half which created a proper spectacle for the neutral! 7 on the bounce now! Could the boys do, what at the start of the season seemed very much like, the unthinkable? Still plenty of work to do, but the lads have certainly been nothing much short of brilliant in the last few weeks!

POTM was Batten who was crucial with his involvement in multiple attacking plays.