MATCH REPORT

SUTTON DO THE DIRTY WORK AGAINST KETTERING

With the Christmas break looming above the team, the 2s faced Kettering hockey club who had made the 1 and a half hour travel to us. Memories of the first game of the season were still fresh in the minds of the team, and Sutton went into this game safe in the knowledge that no matter the result they would remain top for Christmas. With the usual midfield stalwart of Will White missing this week, a fresh cap was handed to Jack Braginton for the 2s and a return for Jack Smith who agreed to bench for us.

The game started, and immediately Sutton showed their quality - playing it out wide in the wet conditions, they moved Kettering about the pitch and let their quality shine through. It wasn't long before great work from Dan Batten and Troy Croxford led to the first of many Sutton short corners and Stef Fox duly dispatched it in off the post to take the lead after only 5 minutes. The chances kept coming for Sutton however the finishing of Alex Canham and Luke Jackson was more than expertly repelled by the Kettering keeper who was surely the MOTM for the travelling side.

As the half progressed, holes begun to open up for both sides and only the resolute keeping by Alfie Braginton kept the score at 1-0; however, he could do nothing for the first goal by Kettering when a short corner was deflected over his outstretched leg by the usually solid Simon Clarke. This woke Sutton up again, and after some lovely interplay by Jackson, Canham and Eddie Hales, Croxford found himself a chance which the keeper saved - only for it to rebound into the path of Jackson who slotted home to restore the lead shortly after.

After a full and frank half time discussion, the second half started and Sutton once again exploded out of the blocks; chances falling to Canham and Jack B but the keeper being up to the task. In fact, Kettering's GK first made a lovely save from a Jackson strike, and then another cracker from the Batten follow up. However he could do nothing when that save fell to MOTM Eddie Hales at the back post to notch home his first goal for the second team, the first of many we expect!

Rather than push on however, Sutton appeared to sit back slightly and allow more pressure onto them - who wants to take the easy path, eh? Strong defending from the usual line up of Alfie, Ben Hales, Tom Baguley and Clarke ably assisted by the midfield duo or Ed White and Fox ensured no chances came but the pressure mounted. Something had to give, and unfortunately for Sutton it was a lovely through ball which finally unlocked the defence and a well placed finish to take the score to 3-2. Jack S came onto the pitch to help shore up the back, and once again the pressure was there on the Sutton goal but nothing was being earned by Kettering. Seeing the team hold out so well, Canham decided as captain that they needed the next stage of difficulty and got himself sent off needlessly with about 5 to go.

Fortunately, any blushes were spared as Sutton were able to clutch out the game and came out 3-2 winners despite never really leaving third gear. This leaves Sutton 4 points clear at Christmas, safe in the knowledge that Santa delivered 3 points through their chimneys today and hope for more of the same in the second half of the season!