MATCH REPORT

The 3rd team welcomed Peterborough 7ths to Long Sutton. The third time these two teams have met before Christmas. Both teams were keen to take an early lead and it was Eddie Hales who got the first shot off, forcing a save from the keeper. At the other end Jack Smith was scooping up any attacks. Long Sutton were the first to put one in the net as a through ball from Kieron Forest went to Gary Hales for a 1 on 1 with the keeper. Peterborough were galvanised and Sutton were soon facing the first short of the game. A straight strike from the top ably saved by Alfie Braginton and cleared by Munson. Another good passage of play from E Hales and Forest led to the second goal from G Hales. The youngsters in the team started to open up the game with some great positioning and passing between Bartlett, who had his best game of the season so far, Daniel Simpson and Troy Croxford. Bartlett forced the keeper to toe his shot away while Simpson came close as his shot fired over the bar. Sutton came under some pressure in the last ten as Peterborough had a short corner strike disallowed as it was too high. This was quickly followed by a Gilly pass that sliced through the defence to give G Hales his hat trick. For Gilly it was the end of his game with a twang to his hamstring that then kept him on the unsubbable subs bench.

The second half was to be a challenge and saw a fiesty Peterborough decide that Sutton weren't going to have it all their own way. Some poorly timed stick tackles put Sutton under pressure but the solid defence of Milnes and his distribution down the wing to Simpson and Bartlett allowed further attacks with crosses into E Hales and the promise of what's to come. Croxford continued to work hard down the middle, channelling attacks wide and supporting any break away chances Sutton had. This led to a drive from Bartlett into the D and a short corner. Norey s strike was deflected by the keeper and despite the accumulation of chances, Sutton couldn't quite convert. Noreys fortunes reversed when shown a green card for a clumsy challenge and players started to lose focus.

Peterborough kept the pressure on and their first goal came from a deftly executed short corner slipped to the right for a tap in from the right post. Sutton came together again and had to keep working hard to absorb the pressure with Smith, Munson and Milnes being supported by Croxford, who used his fitness to get back and make some key tackles. Despite this Peterborough walked into the D to straight strike their second. 3- 2 and in spite of further efforts from Wilkinson, Bartlett and Simpson the score was to stay frozen. Some promising performances today and a well deserved POM for Croxford.