MATCH REPORT

This game was a high tempo, at times fiercely competitive match and with a draw being a fair outcome, the fact that the teams shared only two goals came down to determined defending from both sets of players. Long Sutton were weakened and down to only 11 players on the day and with Tania White being moved to midfield but as ever putting in a big shift and faultless performance. Shefford & Sandy on the other hand came into this game with confidence brimming on the back of four straight wins and no doubt more optimistic since Captain and lead scorer Nikki Hart bagged a hat trick in their most recent fixture. 
 
Long Sutton ladies were out of the blocks first penetrating the Shefford & Sandy half through a combination of great passing and link up play particularly between Charlie Leuty, Sarah Walker, Louise Southgate feeding Leanne Woodhead  and Becky Kierman and in this early phase a goal for Sutton looked likely. After ten minutes and slowly Shefford & Sandy got themselves under control to create their own menace forcing Lorraine Wallis to make several smart saves and as always using her boot not just to shot stop but with accuracy to find Sutton players and thus keeping the game lively and very end to end. Midway through the half Shefford & Sandy had found their form and with pressure beginning to mount in the Long Sutton half of the pitch a goal seemed inevitable - and as it was; on 25 minutes Shefford & Sandy drew first blood and literally with Jess Hudson taking an eye injury trying to keep Nikki Hart under control but to no avail as Hart twisted and her  stick strike from close range saw the ball deflect over keeper Wallis and go towards the goal, narrowly avoiding the stick of  Rachael Gadsen defending on the goal line but unable to do anything about the slightly fortunate deflection. 
 
Long Sutton were instantly down to ten players as Hudson had treatment on the side lines. However 10 became a perfect ten with Long Sutton Ladies stung into action and they were soon level following several intrusions into the Shefford & Sandy D, a smart passing move found Becky Kierman in exactly the right zone to swipe the ball past defence and goalkeeper - scores level for half time.
 
Long Sutton were back to 11 fit players for the second half which from the off and evidenced by the attitude and application from both sets of players as they lined up; left no doubt that both teams desired a win.
 
Sutton faced more pressure right from the start of the second half and the short corner count was quickly mounting in Shefford & Sandy's favour. However from open play it was Long Sutton's skills creating the space, penetration and  attempts on goal with Gemma Parr and Sally Cade both so solid in the heart of the Sutton defence which provided a confidence that Shefford & Sandy's attacks would be broken down and the ball moved smartly away from danger, therefore swinging the pendulum in to Suttons attacking half. Jess Hudson and Rachael Gadsen made headway down the wings giving good service to midfield and forwards and in this phase Leanne Woodhead and Sarah Walker both went close to grabbing the lead for Long Sutton and Charlie Leuty was a constant irritant on the Shefford & Sandy defence. At the other end Suttons keeper Lorraine Wallis was kept busy and stayed equal to every challenge. As it was though, the best chance of the game came with 12 minutes remaining and following another great move from Long Sutton with Walker passing in the Shefford & Sandy D across to Woodhead who neatly pushed the ball into the path of Tania White who got her shot away accurately and firmly but to be denied by the home goalkeeper with an outstretched leg deflecting the danger. The game continued to be hard fought for and short corners at both ends came and went with both defences able to overturn the danger.
 
This was a very spirited and joined up performance by Long Sutton Ladies 1sts who take a lot of credit and did justice to their third placing in this high quality East League NW2, and which sees the premier South Lincolnshire side surrounded at the top by Beds, Cambs and Hertfordshire teams. Sutton are third having lost only one game and that was to league leaders Letchworth, have the best defensive record in this league and are placed just four points behind second placed Bedford and only eight behind runaway leaders Letchworth. Certainly this team has the right attitude, and is more than capable enough to run for promotion. Player of the Match was Sarah Walker who shone like a star  - well it is Christmas!

Report by Martin Hudson