LSHC Mens’ 2nd 0
Cambridge Nomads 2nd 2
Long Sutton Mens’ 2nd travelled to Cambridge for an away game against Cambs Nomads with a squad of players who made that extra effort to be there for the first game of the new year.
Will White had flown in from Eastbourne, Tom Burton nursed his poorly car for the journey and Troy Croxford answered the clarion call at the 11th hour to join the band – these guys were joined by the usual suspects of Forrest, Canham, Clarke, Braginton, Hales, Fox, Baguley, Ed White, Josh Norey and the ever calm Fraser Watt to enter a duel with a good Nomads side.
Sutton started well, with Norey particularly strong, making runs and plays which caused the home team problems; then he forgot which sport he had come to play and met the ball with a painful back post header!
Fortunately he did not need a trip to A&E as one of the home umpires was a doctor.
Nomads raised their game, applying pressure and after Fox was dispossessed in the ‘D’, the ball was slotted into the corner for the opener.
This raised Sutton’s goalscoring instincts and Ben Hales soon scored a goal of his own, beating the keeper well to slot it into the corner and make it 2-0 to Nomads!
As is always the case, Sutton raised their game and tried to fight back and on another day with a little more clinical finishing and a little luck would have scored at least one or two goals.
Clarke and Baguley organised the defence while chances fell to Fox, Will White, Canham, Forrest, Norey, Croxford and almost everyone else but to no avail.
LSHC Ladies’ 2nd 0
Wisbech 4th 0
The Ladies’ 2nd were happy to be back after the Christmas break and despite a few key members of the team missing, Sutton were not phased and were happy to play in positions unfamiliar to them.
With Vice Captain, Claire Sisson, having to be a spectator from the sidelines for a few weeks, Esme Whitelam stepped up to be the on-field captain and was full of encouragement and motivation for the team.
Sisson delivered the speech as instructed by captain Lorraine Wallis and everyone was focused ready to go.
The first half was very much end-to-end, however to be fair to Wisbech, they probably had the majority of possession.
The defence of Julie Skate, Lexi Clarke, Charlotte Walsh and Sarah Skate were no match for Wisbech and had any incoming balls covered and cleared away quickly.
Anything that did manage to get through was quickly dismissed by keeper Ellie Sandall.
Being able to rotate players, Sutton tried to pressure Wisbech but they stood strong and their keeper covered her goal well, 0-0 at half time.
With some sugar onboard and a slight change of position due to Wendy Canham getting injured and instructed to sit high and be annoying, Sutton went back on the pitch ready to fight in the second half.
In typical Ladies’ 2nd fashion, their second half was better than the first with more determination, faster pace, smoother tackles and the confidence to take the ball forward.
Sutton were giving their A game to Wisbech.
Despite trying, Canham was unable to continue and had to come off for a well deserved rest.
Not five minutes later Alison Whittaker limped off having also pulled her hamstring.
With just 11 players and 12 minutes to go Sisson sent instructions to just sit and hold Wisbech off but Sutton were having none of it.
A Sutton ball into the D was saved by the keeper only to be picked up by Sarah Skate who was unlucky not to score but short corner Sutton.
With the short taken, Walsh fired home a shot but the keeper just managed to get her foot to it to prevent it crossing the line.
A thoroughly enjoyable game with excitement in the last few minutes but probably a fair result.
The player of the match went to Julie Skate who was solid with her defending once again.
