LEAGUE leaders Long Sutton showed no ill effects from the winter break as they swept past a depleted Ely team.

Hockey

City of Ely 0

Long Sutton 6

LEAGUE leaders Long Sutton showed no ill effects from the winter break as they swept past a depleted Ely team.

A herculean effort from Gemma Voutt’s side kept Sutton at bay for long periods, but the visitors dominance in possession ultimately told as they collected the three points in emphatic fashion.

Most of the first half was played with Long Sutton on the front foot and despite the best efforts of Fiona Bartley, Ali Chapman and Holly Radcliffe at the back, the visitors raced into a 2-0 lead. The damage might have been greater still had it not been for some brave saves from joint player of the match Kat Bambe,r and some well timed goal line clearances from Bartley and Roberts.

Most of Ely’s forwards were on full time defensive duties in the first half, Dani Fletcher and Emily Clarke forced to keep a close watch on their opposite numbers. New captain Gemma Voutt and midfield partner Pamela Clarke spent most of the half repelling wave after wave of Long Sutton attacks.

At half-time the home side made a few changes that saw Pamela Clarke dropped back into the heart of the defence and Voutt pushed up field to pose some attacking threat. This had the desired effect and Ely started to mount a number of attacking moves early in the second half.

Clarke put in a true man of the match performance as she did her best to support both attack and defence, Emily Clark and Flecther began to threaten and were unlucky not to score from the openings that were created by the midfield.

The home side’s best opportunity was created by Voutt as she swept the ball in the air across the D, only to see the Long Sutton goalkeeper produce a superb save.

Despite falling further behind, Ely didn’t give up and battled right to the final whistle. Ely will be hoping to put out a full squad on Saturday for their home match against Louth.