MATCH REPORT

On a day more suited to indoor bowls than to a hockey game the third team travelled to st Neots. A slow start for both sides battling the wind and the rain. Sutton had to play deep to defend with Josh Smith taking up an unfamiliar central defender role, with Jake Simpson and Croxford senior either side. St Neots took the lead half way through the first half with a short corner initially saved by Braginton that was recycled by the attack and found the backboard.

Sutton pressed forward with some fluid passages of play down the right side through Jake Simpson and Josh Norey. While Troy Croxford once again used his fitness to keep up with play in central midfield. Second half started more sprightly as Sutton pushed higher. Some promising chances from Croxford junior and Perowne didn't quite convert and Norey was unlucky not to win a penalty stroke when going through 1-1 with the keeper. Sutton started to win some shorts and while Daniel Simpsons strike was saved, Gary Hales follow up shot was stopped only by a body on the line, earning a flick. Converted by Hales 1-1.

The younger Hales ensured the keeper knew he was there with a stick follow through to the body after some smart keeping smothering the ball. While more opportunities followed the cold and rain was starting to drain everyone. With some end to end play, Croxford cleared from the line and the game seemed to be heading for a draw. It was a last minute short on the final whistle that saw St Neots run out the victor. A draw would have been a fair reflection but it was not to be. Player of the match went to Norey continuing to grow into the midfield role, distributing the ball effectively and making intelligent runs.