MATCH REPORT

SUTTON SNATCH SWEET SUCCESS AGAINST STRONG UNIVERSITY SIDE

Ahhhh Sundays – perfect for games of hockey in what could only be described as Arctic temperatures! Nevertheless, Sutton this week welcomed their 5th Cambridgeshire team and 3rd team from Cambridge proper in a row with Cambridge University 3rd XI. With chasers in the league falling, Sutton knew a win today would see their gap between second place widen to four points with a game played more; however, this Cambridge Uni side had started slow but were on a run of 5 straight victories, and were more than just another chasing team.

The start of the game brought upon a stark realization for Sutton – playing a university side meant they were going up against a 15 deep squad of fit, fast and smart hockey players! As such, the onslaught begun on the Sutton goal by the pacey wingers. Were it not for the valiant defending of Ben Hales, Tom Baguley, Stef Fox and Jack Smith, and the shot stopping ability of MOTM Alfie Bragington would Sutton be chasing the game as well as shadows. Instead, after a well worked routine moving up the pitch made it one nil to Cambs Uni after 10 minutes. This woke Sutton up slightly, and as such the play became more fluid but was still relatively slow compared to the swashbuckling speed that had been demonstrated by Sutton in previous weeks. Chances came, most notably to Alex Canham and Dan Batten, but both spurned them as the score remained 1-0 going into the half.

After the proverbial bottle throw at half time was delivered, Sutton came out firing much quicker and almost immediately the game was flipped on its head. Camb suni defended further and further back, allowing the midfield White Stuff duo of Edmund and Will to stamp their authority on the game. Luke Jackson, Eddie Hales and Sam Bartlett ran tirelessly all game and, all of a sudden, short corners were won and chances kept coming. This of course made it a perfect time for both Ben Hales and Smith to fancy a little bit of a rest so clearly decided between themselves that getting sent off together would be a good idea! After weathering the storm of 9 vs 11, the ball was played up long and a short corner resulted from a good attack. Fox decided to step up to the oche this time and sent the ball straight into the bottom corner to make the game 1-1. Cambridge University tried to probe once more, but after some fine work from Canham up top earned yet another short corner Batten was there to pick the ball and fire it home to give Sutton the lead with just 3 minutes to go. There was just enough time for Braginton to cap off a fine performance with a triple save, and Simon Clarke to come onto the field to help shore up the defence to help guide Sutton to their sweet, sweet victory!

So with other teams set to play next week and a well-deserved week off now for the Green Army, they sit top of the table, uncatchable until after the fixtures slip. We move onwards and upwards, looking to keep focus to end of the season.