MATCH REPORT

After a week and even morning of call offs it was a relief to get on the pitch with 11 players against a full squad of Spalding players baying for the points in another derby match. With a mixture of youth and experience the team knew they had a chance. The game started as a midfield battle before a quick free hit found Jeremy Smith on the 25 who hammered the ball into Adam Sisson who deftly lofted the ball up and past the Spalding keeper with a deflection worthy of a higher standard. Getting a goal in the first 10 minutes always settles a team and this carried on for much of the first half. Neither side had too many clear chances as the game became quite narrow but this allowed our young wing duo of Will.I.Am Taylor and Lewis Shooter space to run in the wide channels. Steven Milnes on his 18th birthday had his wingers in the proverbial pocket and Josh Ripley playing in his first 3rd team game grew in confidence to control the left hand side. Everything else was cleared up by Matt King with the assuredness expected of an elder statesman of the team. Half time came and went and once more in the opening minutes Sutton scored again. This time it was a short corner after the Spalding keeper took his Dad out across the knees as the whistle blew. Pocket money refused one suspects. King calmly swept the ball home. The game started to open up as Sutton grew more tired but the narrowness somehow stayed. Adam Pack's movement at the top of the pitch along with Will T and Lewis allowed breathers for the defence. Jez and Jack Smith were constantly probing before the inevitable happened when Spalding hit on the break to pull one back. Brad Whitmore was alert and out very quickly when required to stop any hope of an equalizer. It is such a good feeling to have an aggressive keeper and it shows in the rest of the team. Late on, Sullivan took a ball straight on the knee running 1 at a short corner and then nearly gifted Spalding a late equaliser only for Whitmore to once more show his increased confidence and skill in springing out to save the initial, shot, jumping up to stop the rebound before a defensive clearance. It wasn't the prettiest game of the season but it was good to see the team stand as one digging in and working so hard to stay in front. The young players are showing they have intent and desire as well as skill and with the experience of the older players this team can do well this year. Man of the match was a tie between Birthday boy Steven Milnes and Brad Whitmore. Both were deserving of the award and couldn't be split.