The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Long Sutton 0
Wapping 2nd 3
Long Sutton Hockey Club 1st produced a spirited performance as they started their Division One campaign at home to a strong Wapping side.
With Wapping’s first team winning promotion to the National League, a tough test was expected and not helped by Sutton losing key personnel at either end of the pitch.
Wapping moved straight onto the front foot with a high intensity and tempo.
The back five of Cliff, Fox, Baguley, Taylor and Harrison held firm until midway through the half.
An unfortunate slip from Baguley allowed the awaiting forward to smash through the home keeper’s legs.
The second half got underway and, after working out how Wapping were playing, Sutton managed the visitors’ attacks much better.
With the scores still at 1-0, Sutton had a glorious opening to level things up.
A superb aerial ball from Fyson allowed Shore through one-on-one but, going to his reverse, he was unable to get the desired connection.
Sutton pushed forward in the final stages, but it was Wapping that extended their lead with two penalty corner goals, the second coming just before the final whistle.
Wisbech Town 2nd 1
Long Sutton Ladies 0
The season opener started with a trip to local rivals Wisbech who, fresh from surviving last year, had enhanced their second team squad this year with individuals dropping down from the first eleven.
A failure not to press the ball carrier put Sutton into early difficulties and Wisbech gained four or five short corners in quick succession. It was during one of these corners that Wisbech took the lead.
Long Sutton failed to deal with not only the initial strike but also the follow up with the ball finding its way to a Wisbech player who managed to fire past the desperate dive of keeper Lorraine Wallis.
Things were different in the second period as Long Sutton pressed possession more and made inroads into the Wisbech D, securing two or three short corners quickly.
However, they didn’t secure a positive outcome with the keeper saving well from Leanne Woodhead’s strike and the Wisbech defence standing firm.
Long Sutton continued to press with Woodhead once again failing to connect properly this time with a reverse stick.
By now Wisbech were reliant on a quick break but, apart from one shot in the second half, Sutton were the dominant team.
Despite the efforts, the final whistle came and Sutton went down 1-0.
