MATCH REPORT

Long Sutton 3rd team took on the league leaders in a full fat encounter today and have the bragging rights for school/work/www. The 'Ding were undone by probably the best 3rd team performance of the season.

Spalding started the brighter and within 5 mins were 1-0 up after their midfield flooded forward, got the short corner and scored inside the near post. The warning signs were there but Sutton responded with 15 minutes of scintillating hockey in which 3 goals were scored unanswered by a rattled Spalding. Firstly after a good break from Otto Esse, Baker played a perfect first time through ball and Sullivan ran on behind the defence and slotted past the outrushing keeper. Spalding were surprised and didn't know how to respond which led to a short corner being converted by Sullivan to open up a goal lead. This then became a bigger lead when the Harry Thorpe finished a delightful move involving (surprisingly) one touch hockey with Esse, Baker and Sullivan playing in Thorpe who lifted over the keeper and pushed calmly into the empty net. This led to the inevitable back chat and banter, hard tackles and open hockey befitting this local derby. Spalding kept pushing but with Albert "The Wall" Slator and Ben Marris they found no way past. Ben cleared off the line but that was the nearest they came. Nick Worth decided the best way to stop 'Ding was to not let them on the pitch, leaving the Spalding centre mid requiring ice on a nasty knee injury from a lifted ball. Half time came and went with a passing comment to stay on the pitch and keep quiet. The second half started at the same pace and the same aggression. The Sutton defence soaked up the pressure and Lovegrove was solid both in attack and defence. Lovegrove got on the scoresheet when a short corner was slipped to him and he flicked it into the net. 'Ding came back but yet more goal-line clearances from Marris and incredible age-defying diving saves from Slator kept the scoreline at 4-1. Spalding had a player sin-binned for backchat and Baker spent time catching his breath for a strange ‘tackle'.  Spalding did claw one goal back but in the end a deserved win for a team that defied the odds, battled for the whole game and proved that they can beat anyone when they all turn up. Special mention must go to Ed White who was immense at right back, Nick Worth showed the youngsters a thing or 2, Ben Marris for having a great game and Calvin Bishop who is growing with every game he plays but Albert Slator led from the back and was easily today's Man of the Match.

Match report by Bartholomew Cubbins