Long Sutton Ladies’ 1st 2
Wisbech Ladies’ 2nd 2
Sutton knew all was to play for as they took on Wisbech Ladies’ 2nd and the game would be a tough one.
As usual the forwards Hannah Baker and Florence Perowne and midfielders Pippa Hastings, Amber Jones and Natalie Frost worked tirelessly.
Supported by the defence kept trying to penetrate the Wisbech defence.
Eventually, Lisa Baker took a free hit from the left sideline finding Perowne who touched it into the D and reverse swept the ball into bottom right corner.
Ten minutes later they went in to half time 1-0 up.
Pushback of the second half was Sutton’s, Hannah Baker passing to Perowne who mis-passed it back to a Wisbech player.
Sutton were immediately on the back foot, Wisbech played a ball through to a quick waiting forward who took a first time strike at the top of the D, Lisa Baker didn’t make it back in time and it was 1-1.
Sutton then had to double their efforts. The defence of Tania White, Gemma Parr and Lisa Baker kept the Wisbech attackers from finding the back of the net.
Lorraine Wallis made some impeccably timed saves from open play and short corners, Sutton eventually let in a silly scrappy second goal and were 1-2 down.
The defence helped support the ball further up the pitch, now going three at the back.
Pushing Lisa Baker up, Kate Tilbrook came on to help solidify the midfield. Along with Milly Hastings they all kept battling to keep pressure on the Wisbech defence. They needed to score, a penalty corner won by Lisa Baker was awarded in the last minute.
As the final whistle blew, Sutton all pushed up with nothing to lose and a point to be gained.
Lisa Baker injected the ball to Hannah Baker who, after stopping the ball herself, took a clear, well struck shot from the top of the D and beat the keeper low to her left, resulting in a final score of 2-2.
Long Sutton Men’s 1st 2
Cambridge 2
With Mckenzie East, Sam Gray and Tom Baguley unavailable, the home side were always going to face a stern test against fourth-placed Cambridge, but they were pleased to give Will Taylor his second game.
The game started at a fast and furious pace with no quarter given.
After a spell of Cambridge pressure and some great saves by keeper James Cliff, Sutton broke the deadlock when Dan Batten burst into the circle and deftly slotted the ball past the keeper.
Further pressure by the home forwards enabled Josh Baker to squeeze the ball with a reverse stick shot into the net.
The tempo further increased with players receiving warnings from the umpires and, as the second half progressed, Cambridge’s superior skill began to tell.
A mistake in the Sutton midfield led to a well taken goal.
With time passing, players began disputing decisions and cards were issued both teams, including a yellow to Baker which means he will miss next week’s match.
The game then settled down and with ten minutes left Cambridge equalised with a deflected short corner.
The home team kept their composure to see out time and be well satisfied with a hard earned point.
