Long Sutton Hockey Club round-up

A depleted Long Sutton squad went down to a 4-2 away defeat at Harleston Magpies in their East League Division 1N clash on Saturday.

The Greens had won by the same margin in the home fixture after producing one of their best performances of the season.

However, it was always going to be trickier this time around, especially with a depleted 11-man squad through injuries and work commitments.

They welcomed Ben Hales into the squad for his first team debut and he slotted in comfortably at right back.

Sutton began brightly by putting Magpies under early pressure.

Chances began to rise but it was a mazy run from Baker finishing with a sweet backhand shot that broke the deadlock early on and put the Greens ahead.

More chances came in the first half for the likes of East, Fox, Sargeant and Baker but they were unable to double the lead.

The lack of substitutes was starting to take its toll on the lads and Magpies slowly came back into the game.

Pressure on the front foot from them meant that, after a tricky five minute period at the end of the half, the score was suddenly 2-1 to the home side.

The second half began slowly again for Sutton and Magpies notched a third.

This did not deter the boys as they came back at the home side hard.

East came close with a one-on-one chance, Baker had two shots saved on the goalline by outfield players and Fox perhaps was unlucky not to win a penalty stroke.

A couple corners were also won for the travelling side and a well-worked routine came a whisker away from being slotted home.

Finally, the hard work was rewarded after Harrison found Baker who, after beating a few players, spun the ball into East who was left to slot it past the Magpies keeper to reduce the deficit to one.

The defence of Proctor, Harrison, Donaghy, Hales and Cliff between the sticks were working admirably on tired legs.

The attack were working hard to create as much as they could to level up the scores but it wasn't to be as a late sucker punch from Magpies on the break all but confirmed the result.

Sutton were unlucky on the road and, certainly on another day with extra numbers, would have come away with three points.

They host neighbours Wisbech on Saturday (2.30pm).

The second team were 5-1 home winners against St Ives 3rds with Adam Taylor and Frazer Watt among their marksmen while the thirds lost 3-2 against Bourne Deeping 4ths.