MATCH REPORT

Headline: Sutton suffer from missed chances!
 
First game back after the Christmas excesses appeared no barrier to Long Sutton Ladies 1sts, who started brightly through intelligent passing and movement off the ball with the early excitement  provided notably from Charlie Leuty, Sarah Walker, Hannah Greenacre, Leanne Woodhead, Lisa Baker and Louise Southgate all linking up well to create early pressure on the visitors. Over the course of the first 20 minutes chances went begging with both Becky Kierman and Leanne Woodhead having got into great positions squandered good chances - which taken would have given Sutton advantage  and potentially put the visitors out of sight.
 
As it was on 27 minutes Long Sutton scored a legitimate goal which was disallowed by an over enthusiastic umpire who blew early and a split second before a short corner strike from Gemma Parr crashed against the back board. The umpire having accidently blown wrongly and anticipating that the ball was heading over the backboard; so after his premature moment! he instructed that the short be retaken which on the next attempt Sutton could not repeat the goal.
Long Sutton took the decision calmly and continued to press but with St Neots themselves picking up the pace.
 
The second half saw St Neots come at Sutton forcing the defence marshalled by Gemma Parr to be on their toes. However soon into the half Long Sutton struck through Louise Southgate who grabbed her chance to score a well struck goal which gave the visiting keeper no hope.
 
St Neots dusted themselves down from the setback and Long Sutton were grateful to in form goalkeeper Lorraine Wallis who made a string of goal line blocks and one superb full stretch save to protect Suttons slender lead. St Neots though smelt their opportunity and following several raids on the Sutton goal they forced short corners one of which fell kindly to their striker, Katie Bates who rather fortunately took advantage of a very rare slip by keeper Wallis to bring the scores level.
 
On the balance of play then Long Sutton deserved a win but having beaten St Neots early in the season and quite comfortably then the visitors to be fair proved a different proposition n this occasion and would be pleased to have shared the spoils with third placed Long Sutton. 
 
Player of the match was split evenly between Lorrain Wallis and Gemma Parr who both had outstanding games. 

Report by Martin Hudson.