MATCH REPORT

Long Sutton put in a battling performance against title chasing St Ives in the club's only fixture on a weather affected day. The home team opened strongly but Sutton were able to string together a few good passing moves of their own. The opening goal came from an unlikely source as defender Dan Oldfield made an excellent tackle in defence before sending the ball up the field, Nick Ellis picked the ball up in midfield and carried it toward the St Ives circle before picking out Oldfield who had galloped 70 metres up the pitch to get the final touch for a great opening goal. The home team then allowed their pressure to tell quickly forcing an equaliser. Sutton were restricted to counter attacks for the remainder of the half but from one of these Luke Jackson was able to slot through the giant home keepers legs to regain the lead. The hosts pressure then told as they equalised again and then took the lead with seconds of the first half remaining. The second period began with the home team on the offensive and they soon added another as a mistrapped corner found its way to the back post to be deflected in. They quickly added another with a much slicker corner goal. Sutton then enjoyed their best spell of the game with some good midfield passing and Matt Goodley, Harry Synnott and debutant Will Taylor all involved. Ellis fired home a corner and saw another well saved and Jackson won a flick only to see it saved by the keeper. St Ives added another but not before birthday boy Matt Braginton had pulled off an excellent triple save after his defence appeared to leave early for his party. Will White enjoyed another good day in midfield and Oldfield made some excellent tackles. Man of the match was Tom Burton who showed his increasing game awareness with another maturing performance. Sutton face top of the league Horncastle next week but can take positives from a determined performance against a much more experienced side.