With the league title up for grabs Sutton Coldfield Ladies 1's headed to Swansea knowing that a point was needed to secure the title. Swansea had beaten Sutton earlier in the season 2-1 so the mighty pinks were anticipating a tough game.
The first half was a fairly even affair with the majority of the play being in the centre of the pitch as both sides worked hard to create goal scoring opportunities. Sutton’s press caused Swansea problems with both Beth Peers and Jane Sixsmith intercepting the ball in dangerous areas but the Swansea defence recovered well to snuff out the attack. Swansea were perhaps fortunate to be awarded their first penalty corner following a harsh decision by the umpire. Sutton were well aware of the dangers posed by the Swansea penalty corner routines and Becky Batsford was at her best to dive sharply to her right in order to tip the goal bound shot round the post. The best chance of the half fell to Swansea after a miss control in the Sutton defence presented the Swans with golden opportunity to take the lead. Becky Batsford rescued the mighty pinks as she was quick off her line to thwart the one Vs one opportunity; textbook stuff for any young goalkeepers watching.
Half time and the game was evenly balanced. Although Swansea had perhaps had the better of the chances, Sutton had applied attacking pressure but hadn’t quite found their way through a solid Swansea defence.
Sutton got off to a good start in the second half with sustained pressure on the Swansea defence. A superb defence splitting ball from Emma McCabe in the midfield reached Jane Sixsmith who rounded the keeper and was then on the receiving end of a clumsy foul resulting in a penalty stroke being awarded. Jen Parkinson-Mills stepped up, but unfortunately her penalty drifted just wide of the post. Sutton rallied round and continued to move the ball well however it was Swansea who took the lead when Katrin Budd converted a penalty corner. Sutton had a number of penalty corners of their own and Captain Sophie Manning had thought she’d scored only for the umpire to have blown a second too early to award Sutton another penalty corner. Sutton contained their frustration and eventually the pressure on the Swansea goal took its toll. Jane Sixsmith again rounded the keeper only for the Swansea captain to lie across the goal a chin the ball away from the goal. Another penalty stroke was awarded despite the bizarre protest. Jen Parkinson-Mills stepped up again and with nerves of steel dispatch the penalty to pull Sutton level.
The mighty pinks battled as a team to the final whistle with each player, coach, supporter and dog giving their all. The game finished 1-1 and Sutton celebrated a deserved league title win. Vicky Woolford was awarded player of the match, whose skill throughout the game drew some rather creative tackling.
The final home game of the season is on 19th March against rivals Olton, 2pm at Wyndley. Come along and join the ladies league celebrations. The mighty pinks then face the playoffs to earn the right for promotion into the National Premier League.