MATCH REPORT

DERBY DAY SPOILS SAFELY IN SUTTONS GRASP

With Sutton on the path for promotion, next in line for them was the daunting task of travelling to Spalding in the Fenlands Derby – the two games a year where every player gives it 120% as standard, and the passion is allowed to take hold. Losing Holmes and White due to outside commitments, Sutton instead welcomed back Will Taylor and Sam Bartlett – and both had games to remember!

From the off, the game was an end-to-end affair, with both teams having chances early on. The defences stamped their authority within the first minute, with good interceptions by men in both Green and Maroon – in fact, only the last ditch tackling by Spalding stopped ex-players Dan Plant and Luke Jackson from adding to their accounts. At the other end, a well-marshalled plan by Man of the Match Tom Baguley - ably assisted by Stef Fox, Ben Hales and Adam Taylor – ensured that the few attacks that Spalding had were dealt with.

Sutton then moved into top gear, and from a Spalding 16 Will Taylor picked off the aerial, before feeding in Jackson between the defenders. Jackson took a touch, drew the keeper, and then put it on the back post for Eddie Hales to tap into the empty net to begin the scoring. Shortly after, after some top work from Troy Croxford and Sam Bartlett, Jackson ended up with the ball in the D and some smart work then resulted in a penalty flick for Sutton. Alex Canham walked up to the spot and then duly dispatched the ball to make it 2-0 to Sutton with more time in the half.

The lead did little to Suttons creative minds, with Will T relishing in the gap between Spalding's midfield and their defence, and smart runs coming from Bartlett, Plant, Jackson and Eddie Hales the chances kept coming – including some smart 1 on 1s which Rob Callaby in the Spalding goal made some great saves to deny Sutton extending their lead further. However, the flood of chances eventually proved too much for him, and Plant got his 5th goal in 3 games to see Sutton into the half time break fully in control.

With a three-goal lead, it was easy for Sutton to get complacent and lose focus – however under the supervision of Si Clarke running the subs from the bench no man in green even thought of this. Spalding did come into the game more at this point, and the chances kept coming. From a short corner earned, the otherwise unflappable Alfie Braginton was sent the wrong way in goal, and James Grant slotted home the short corner to try and start the comeback. However, thanks to some good saves and resolute defending, the game was managed out to leave the score at 3-1 to Sutton at the final whistle.

Plaudits falling to Sutton then after this well-spirited affair, but both teams played good hockey and were it not for a defensive masterclass by both sides the score could have been very different. Man of the Match went to the combined trio of Tom Baguley, Sam Bartlett and Will Taylor – providing a strong spine throughout the game and plenty of attacking options, Sutton now look towards next week, with another tasty derby upcoming in the shape of high-flying Wisbech.