MATCH REPORT

Long Sutton were involved in another close finish as they were denied a point by a late winning goal. Sutton opened very well dominating the early stages with good movement and sharp incisive passing. The visitors took a deserved lead when a break saw Luke Jackson play the ball in for Pavel Saponenko to finish from close range for his first goal at second team level. The home team then began to play their way into the game with Sutton struggling to pick up the runners from deep. The scores were levelled with a scrappy equaliser but the away side then rediscovered their form with Josh Baker scoring a typical reverse stick shot. The lead was then increased as Nick Ellis saw his shot deflected into the net from the Sutton's first short corner of the day. The home side were then allowed to score twice in quick succession meaning the visitors did not go into the break with the lead that their first half display perhaps deserved. The second period opened with Ely showing far more intent than the first period with their vastly more experienced team retaining possession better than they did before the interval. The away side continued to threaten on the break with Matt Goodley again showing his skills down the left side. Sutton retook the lead when Ellis drove into the circle following a long corner and was able to slot past the keeper. The hosts then began to apply heavy pressure forcing a series of corners, the visiting defence tried hard to keep them out with Steven Milnes producing a fine display in his first game for the two's this season and Simon Clarke leaving everything on the pitch(or at least the side of it!). Despite the effort Ely found an equaliser and with some increasingly rash tackling were able to force a short corner from which they found a winning goal. Man of the match was Matt Holmes who despite an early slip enjoyed a good game at the heart of the defence. Next week Sutton face a vital game against Leadenham with both sides looking for three crucial points.