Long Sutton ladies’ 2nd are flying high in Division Five North West of the East Women’s Hockey League after a 1-0 win at Newmarket 3rd on Saturday.
With the gusty wind behind them, Sutton started strong and took the game to Newmarket, putting them under pressure from the off.
Sutton were playing great hockey with the ball being moved well between the midfield of Penny Perowne, Jasmine Smith and Lucy Smith and the forward line of Florence Perowne, Wendy Canham and Amelia Norey.
Sutton did take the lead that their play deserved when some great build up play saw Gemma Parr pick the ball up just outside the attacking D and following a dinking run, she expertly placed the ball into the right-hand corner of the goal, giving the young keeper no chance.
With the benefit of a squad of 12, Sutton were able to rotate with Sarah Skate on and off the pitch to ensure that they were able to see out the half with ease.
The second half saw Sutton forced to defend a couple of short corners, but they did superbly.
Indeed, they saw the game out nicely – showing how much they have grown since the start of the season.
The win sees them climb to third place in the table, four points off the top.
Up in Division Two North West, runaway leaders Spalding Poachers 1st saw their home fixture with Cambridge Nomads 1st postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak in their opponent’s squad.
Rivals Long Sutton 1st were in action, but they were on the receiving end of a 3-1 home beating against Cambridge South 2nd.
Amber Jones got the solitary strike for Sutton, who remain third from bottom in the standings.
In Division Three North West, Spalding Poachers 2nd – like the top team – had their fixture against Shefford & Sandy 2nd postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak in their opponent’s camp.
Divisional rivals Spalding Poachers 3rd were in action, though, as they were handed a 10-1 reverse at Kettering 2nd.
The youthful squad were hoping to score some goals and demonstrate the improvement seen over the past few weeks.
Spalding seemed to be on the back foot for much of the game and, even though player-of-the-match Sharon Amess scored from a short corner early on, the Kettering side took full control.
Spalding battled hard and had many opportunities to score thanks to the hard work of Sam Foston and Millie Hastings, but sadly these chances were not converted.
Youngsters Honor Pearson and Emily Wright showed great determination throughout the game, too.
Saturday fixtures: Long Sutton 1st v Spalding 1st (2.30pm); Cambs City 5th v Spalding 2nd (2.30pm); Spalding 3rd v Newmarket 1st (11am).
