MATCH REPORT

Long Sutton Mens 2nds first home game of the season was also their first local derby when they entertained Bourne Deeping 2nds under sunny skies and in front of a reasonable crowd. The side were missing the Colossus that is Stef Fox, as he was enjoying a late summer trip to the Greek Islands and Will Taylor returned to first team duty so squad availability looked like being the sides Achilles Heel this week. Fear not………………………….. two Spartan warriors stepped up in the form of Matt Holmes and Luke Jackson from the first team squad. Tragedy averted. Sutton duly won the toss and gave the push back to Bourne Deeping; who should have remembered to always beware Greeks bearing gifts. Reverting to 4-4-2 with an ‘experienced' back four the side soon settled well with Braginton a little busier this week but still not really threatened as the defensive line performed as if they were honed in Sparta, Baguley leading the group ably supported by Ben Hales, Holmes and Clarke. Suttons midfield of Ed and Will White, Batten, Jackson, Croxford and Eddie Hales worked well up the pitch with good passing, running and vision, importantly they also worked back well to cover for the fact that Fox was absent – an absolute Meze of quality hockey that at times was all Greek to the Bourne midfield. It was no surprise when after a robotic run by Will White which ended in a diving save from the Deeping keeper, Batten tapped in to open the scoring 1-0 Sutton. Pressure was applied and after good work by Jackson which earned a flick Canham scored to make it 2-0 at half time. Rousing speeches followed from Batten and Canham as they noted that the finishing could be better; never a truer word spoken as many of the chances went begging were from their sticks! Second half started and Bournes clawed a goal back from a short corner. This stung Sutton into action and soon after Batten scored to restore the 2 goal margin. From this point on Sutton dominated and had numerous chances to score more, Canham and Batten on another day could have scored 5 or 6 each but lax finishing and good goalkeeping thwarted them. Eventually it was left to Jackson to round off the scoring as he applied the Midas finish to an excellent pass from Man of the Match Ed White and so Sutton finished the game top of the division after two weeks of the season; something to celebrate today but as always the side will look at it philosophically and realise they are only two tasks into their Herculean adventure!