MATCH REPORT

LSHC Ladies First v City of Peterborough 2nds

Played Away on 1st March 2014

Next Match

1st Mar 2014 Mens 4th - Home vs Alford 2nds

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Charlene Leuty profile

Position:: Outfielder
Favourite Food:: Steak
Favourite Song:: Nothing - Script
Lookalike:: Amanda Peet
Appearances:: 19
Goals:: 1

SUTTON LADIES SUFFER!

Long Sutton Ladies first team put in a disappointing performance and can look back at a game where they only played at anything like their potential in the first 7 minutes and the last 7 minutes, and frankly over the 56 minutes in-between, they were ordinary.

Forced into changes with first choice goalkeeper Lorraine Wallis and play maker Sarah Walker out would be a poor excuse, although of course replacing such experience is very difficult particularly the assertiveness of Wallis in organising the defence and at times today the defence looked unsteady and leaving stand in keeper Cecilia Robinson too exposed.. So the facts; on this occasion Sutton conspired in the main to gift the game to Peterborough albeit the home side being rather fortunate in the nature of their goals which were messy but of importance came evenly spaced and at crucial times in the match, with two put away in each half and before Sutton finally scored a late consolation.

Long Sutton ladies 1sts started sharply and forced the early pace with a good scoring chance falling early in the game to Leanne Woodhead who was denied on a one on one with the home keeper blocking Woodheads fierce strike. Soon after Peterborough started to influence more and putting the Sutton defence and young stand in goalkeeper Cecilia Robinson under pressure with Robinson making a couple of fine stops to keep Peterborough out. Peterborough continued to threaten and were rewarded after 16 minutes when a rather fortunate deflection left keeper Robinson with no chance. Soon after Jeorgia Carr broke through but her determined run failed to bring an equaliser as the Peterborough defence reacted quickly. Eight minutes later Peterborough increased their lead which they protected through to half time.

Long Sutton hoped for improved fortunes in the second half and as they did in the first half they stressed Peterborough early, but to no avail, and then they soon found themselves under the cosh again and Sutton were grateful to keeper Robinson who reacted well to palm away a fierce shot on target. Then just like in the first half Peterborough piled the pressure on and struck with two goals at exactly the right time to eliminate any serious hopes of a Sutton recovery. As it was Sutton battled well throughout but almost in a way the harder they tried the less they achieved. Throwing caution to the wind Sutton changed shape reverting to just three at the back which bought some success and resulting in a late rally. Frustratingly in this phase Sutton created several good opportunities for Fiona Gray, Charlie Leuty, Lisa Baker and Woodhead,, pinging the post with one good effort and had shots off the line and narrowly wide before Woodhead finally got a goal - but sadly being too little too late.

Long Sutton's Young 2nd team keeper Cecilia Robinson did well in only her second game at this level and might have expected a bit more protection from one of the best defences in the league; but on the day it was a case of the team misfiring rather than individual performances. Louise Southgate and Hannah Greenacre worked hard and provided sound support, Gemma Parr put in a particularly big shift moving defence to midfield and back again. Sally Cade, Tania White, Rachael Gadsden and Jess Hudson had busy afternoons often in retreat but when possible broke out of defence well providing good attacking support. But it was to be Peterborough on the day that had control and all the answers and so by deserving their win. Player of the match for Long Sutton was Charlie Leuty who worked tirelessly and productively throughout.

Next up is Bedford away after a week without a fixture - so two good turn outs for training would help prepare for the game against 2nd placed Bedford who are all but promoted with Sutton looking to consolidate a fourth placed finish.

Report by Martin Hudson