The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Long Sutton Ladies’ 2nd 5
Wisbech 4th 0
Sutton welcomed local rivals Wisbech and proceedings got off to a great start, Chantil Sinclair scoring her second goal in two games with a fine far post tap-in after great work down the flank by Aimee Betts.
Sutton increased their lead shortly after in similar fashion this time with Alison Whittaker applying the finish.
Sutton were in no mood to let their lead slip and keeper Ellie Sandall was a spectator as her defence of Claire Sisson, Julie Skate, Sarah Skate and George Synott defended high ensuring Wisbech were unable to get a foothold in the game.
Things were to get better as the half finished with Sutton 3-0 up following a super short corner goal by Katie Whittaker.
Sutton started the second half as they had the first, dominating play with the midfield of Katie Whittaker, Pippa Hastings and Lilly Teggerdine moving the ball around to retain possession and feed the forwards of Annabelle Giles, Betts and Alison Whittaker.
In a reverse of the first half SInclair turned provider to Betts to take the score to 4-0.
Not content with that, Sutton added one more with Giles getting on the score sheet, which was fully deserving of her energetic performance.
Wisbech did muster a few attacks and whilst Sandall had been a virtual spectator for most of the game, she showed her maturity by staying focused to ensure that her clean sheet remained intact.
Long Sutton Mens’ 2nd 3
Cambridge South 3rd 1
Sutton travelled away to high flying Cambridge South 3rd in what promised to be a well-fought top-of-the-table clash.
With a full contingent of 13 Sutton players present, and 15 for Cambridge, the aim of the game was always going to be starting strong and after the minute’s silence the game pushed off.
From the off the intentions were clear from South who promptly sent the ball off the Sutton back line so as they could play to their pressing strengths.
In fact, it was only through some resolute defending by Alfie Bragginton, Ben Hales, Tom Baguley, Simon Clarke and Stefan Fox that the ball remained outside the Sutton goal.
Five minutes of high intensity pressure became ten and then 15, as it seemed the match was only going in one direction.
There were a couple of forays out of the Sutton half, mostly by Daniel Batten and Luke Jackson, but some strong defending kept Sutton stuck in second gear.
However, South struck first after a rare breakdown in communication allowed for a rogue winger to pop up unmarked on the back post to tap home the lead.
This seemed to spur Sutton into more action, who shifted into a higher gear.
The dynamic duo of Ed and Will White started to control the midfield more, allowing Batten, Jackson, Ed Hales and Troy Croxford to make runs both on and off the ball.
A couple of chances became a few, before suddenly it was South on the backfoot.
Despite some good opportunities for both sides the half ended with Sutton needing to chase the game.
After a significantly more well received half time team talk from the skipper, Sutton started the second half in a flash, immediately utilising the pacey wingers of Josh Norey, Jackson, Croxford and Ed Hales.
The pressure kept being piled on South, and it was no surprise when the chances started to fall for Sutton.
And with about ten minutes gone in the second half, Sutton finally found that killer instinct.
After some great work from the Hales boys on the right, the ball fell to Norey and then Batten inside the D, before the ever-vocal Jackson put the ball home on the fourth attempt to level the game.
Sutton finally found their top gear – free flowing attacking across the whole pitch, forcing their keeper into some good saves.
With about 15 to go, Batten ran the line and fired across goal hitting the post.
Whilst some members of the Green Army were currently advocating for the use of VAR in local league hockey, Jackson was alert enough to keep the ball from being fully cleared and won another short corner for Sutton.
From this, Alex Canham struck a perfectly arcing shot into the bottom corner of the goal to set the game up for a tense finale.
This spurred South to come forward in search of the equaliser, pushing almost every man forward.
Unfortunately for them, this left gaps behind for the space to be exploited and, after yet another chance was intercepted by Clarke, played out and up and suddenly it was a two versus one to Sutton with Batten on the ball.
After a good run from Norey to draw the defender, Batten drove into the D and unleashed a shot which the keeper saved, only for Norey to put the ball in the net.
After that Sutton defended resolutely, not allowing a sniff of a chance against them with the only minor setback being the injury to Croxford.
The full time whistle went on a stand-out performance for the men in green, and they continue their stay at the top of the table.
