MATCH REPORT

On a miserable looking day Long Sutton 2nds brightened it up for the loyal club supporters with a commanding display of positive hockey. After sealing promotion the previous week Sutton appeared more relaxed on the ball. It wasn't long before man of match Andy Shore sent a defence splitting pass through to Nick Bailey who calmly picked out Ben Shore to sweep the ball into the roof of the net. Sutton carried on pressing the well disciplined Peterborough side but Suttons pace and movement continued to pepper the borough goal. It wasn't long before Shore added his second from a short corner. Suttons commanding defence were in fine form notably with Stefan Fox playing in his 7th position for the team outstanding at left back. Sutton's third was a result of a probing run from the forever young Jeremy Watt who after having his opening shot well saved found Bailey open who dutifully buried the ball into the bottom corner. Sutton went into half time knowing that they could not take an experienced Peterborough side for granted.

The second half began in the same vein as the first with Shore completing his hat trick from another short corner. As feared Peterborough came back with a clinical breakaway goal, but this only spurred Sutton to up the tempo and shortly after Andy Shore joined his brother on the score sheet from another short corner. Sutton's other midfielders tried to get in on the act with Dan Batten and Adam Wiles both coming close. Bailey then claimed his second with a mesmerising deflection. Shore then claimed his fourth following great team work culminating with Wiles hitting the post, leaving Shore an easy tap in. With only a minute remaining birthday boy Bailey was not to be out done and claimed his hat trick with the flukiest of reverse stick shots which caught out the defender on the goal line. After the game captain Matt Holmes commented "it was good to be part of such a well played hockey match. The boys really worked well for each other in particular the link up play between the defence and midfield was excellent."

Report by Nick Bailey.