MATCH REPORT

HOTSHOT LISA BAKER RESCUES A VITAL POINT FOR LONG SUTTON.
 
Long Sutton entered this fixture two points behind second placed Bedford so keen for a victory which would have moved Sutton ahead by a point in this extremely competitive East NW league 2.
 
Honours shared however was a fair reflection of the game.
 
Bedford started very strongly and sprayed the ball around quickly and accurately pushing on all fronts demanding much of the Long Sutton team who were at times run ragged in a dominant 20 minute spell. However through a combination of stern defensive play and fine goal keeping from Lorraine Wallis the score was maintained at 0-0. On 24 minutes Long Sutton broke up another attack but failed to retain the ball which was retrieved in the Bedford midfield and then crisply fired forward into the path of Stephanie Holyoak who hit a belter of a shot past the advancing Wallis leaving the home keeper no chance. Soon after another opportunity fell to the same player but this time Wallis produced a World class save. Just before half time Louise Southgate rescued Sutton with a goalmouth clearance to ensure Sutton went into the interval only one goal down.
 
Team captain Leanne Woodhead gave a decisive team talk during half time and Long Sutton came out the better for it!
 
Right from the whistle to start the second half Long Sutton played a more expansive game stretching the visitors in almost a role reversal, and this clearly disturbed Bedford who found themselves unable to cope with the boot on the other foot.
 
Leanne Woodhead and Lisa Baker leading the attack had been on rations throughout the first half but began to threaten as Sarah Walker and Fiona Gray led the charge from midfield. 13 minutes into the half following a siege on the visitors goal Lisa Baker found herself space and rifled a shot from a sharp angle into the Bedford goal to equalise the score.
 
Long Sutton continued to press and the visitors looked rocked at this stage of the game, however they rode out the storm to create a few more chances although it was Long Sutton racking up the short corner count in this half which gave evidence to their improved performance.  Surprisingly from 14 short corners throughout the game, 9 to Bedford 5 to Long Sutton that none were converted and the only goals of the game came from stunning strikes from open play. 
 
Tania White, Sally Cade, Gemma Parr and Jess Hudson all had a testing time but stood resolute across the Long Sutton back line. Jeorgia Carr and Becky Kierman worked hard in front of goal with Jeorgia getting the ball into the Bedford goal but the umpire had pulled the game to a halt for a prior infringement.  
 
All said though a point won for Long Sutton on an afternoon which probably served up their best performance of the season against a well organised and talented Bedford team.

Report by Martin Hudson.