Saturday morning, mid-April and the Sutton ladies 3s awoke after an unsettled night’s sleep to a warm day with the sun finally threatening to show it’s face - after many games played in blizzard like conditions over the season it was nice that the wimp shirts would finally be left at home.

After 3 weeks without a game those Pink shirts were dug out, the elusive pink socks were found and kit bags were checked for sticks, gloves and gum guards as the team readied themselves for the last and biggest game of the season and the demotion decider.

With Solihull Blossomfield having taken an unexpected win against Hampton a couple of weeks ago Sutton were sitting second bottom and only a win or draw would see them overtake the team from Solihull to stay in the division, so it really was all to play for and the pink hearts needed to be strong. 

It had been an interesting season all round with some surprising results coming in across the league and the biggest of battles between the Universities of Birmingham and Warwick for that one promotion spot with the red of Birmingham closely taking the crown on their final game to the disappointment of a very impressive Warwick Uni team who had surprised the whole league with the strength of their squad this year. The league had been so up and down, any of 5 or 6 teams could’ve gone down over the last few games but it all came down to this final game for Sutton.

Today’s opposition, Stratford, were already relegated but they are a good side with some strong players and known to chase everything and play hard, there was no way they were going to just hand the result to Sutton or go down without a fight - their last game in the league was one they were desperate to win and Sutton knew this so there were some nerves peeking through as the 3s team arrived at Vesey.

After the team talk the 16 Sutton players were out early warming up but those nerves were obvious and the team looked somewhat subdued as Mark tried his hardest to get the team game ready. Stratford had nothing to lose, Sutton had everything on their shoulders and to be truthful it was showing before the first whistle.

It was Stratford who got the game underway and both teams parried and probed to test each other. Sutton did come out strongly and were playing well, talking and passing to each other and not long in a short corner was awarded......a quietness settled over the ground, players and supporters’ hearts were in mouths as Rachel injected. 
Lisa was waiting top D and received the ball, a huge smash across goal, the keeper had no chance and the resounding smack of the back board could be heard over at Wyndley as the ball flew into the corner - 1-0 to Sutton - the crowd went wild - 
could we have wished for a better start?!

Stratford pushed back but they didn’t seem deflated at all and it seemed they were even more determined as they stepped up and suddenly the battle truly was on!

It was back and forth with both teams playing some very good hockey, both keepers were involved and there were going to be goals. Spectators from both sides were filling the sidelines and the noise levels started to rise as they got behind their respective teams.

There were still nerves on the pink side of the pitch, the pressure on the team for the result was showing and as Stratford grabbed a loose ball in their half and charged into the Sutton D the panic level intensified as the forward calmly slotted the ball under the sliding 3s keeper to level the game at 1-1.

Sutton were becoming disjointed, after playing as a team and working as a unit all season there were cracks appearing and after the first 10minutes of it all being Sutton, Stratford seemed to be taking control. 

Suddenly Sutton’s worst nightmare came true. Another attack into the 3s D, Smurf saved, the ball went out right, a scrabble in the D, A Stratford player grabbed it and in slow motion crossed the ball to a player charging in from the penalty spot - it was too easy and Sutton were down 2-1.

Now Sutton were panicking, Mark on the sideline was jumping up and down like a man possessed as he tried to calm the team and get them settled, the heads needed to be back in the game, there was still a long way to go. Sutton did win a couple more short corners and attacks at goal but nothing would go in and Stratford were tasting a win and had taken the upper hand. 

Another Stratford attack not long before the half time whistle saw the 3s defence again scrambling, the ball was pinging around from sticks to pads to sticks like a pinball machine and suddenly a mis hit shot, the ball was in slow motion as it trundled from right to left across the goal line literally 2 inches from the line, a heap of players from both sides threw themselves at it but no one connected as it carried on its merry way and just ran past the back post and out leaving a pile of players untangling themselves on the floor - that was one huge let off!

So half time came, an unhappy and worried Sutton took water on board as Mark calmed them, he didn’t need to shout, his words made sense, the 3s knew this game was there for the taking and just one goal would give us the draw and safety, 35 minutes were still ahead to get it.

Sutton pushed back for the last half of the season, that half time break and talk had done wonders for the Mighty Pinks and they came out flying, Stratford were still pressing and still trying to take Sutton into division 2 with them but the 3s turned up a gear and started to play how they can play and it was all in the Stratford D, their keeper and defence suddenly found themselves under an onslaught of pink shirts, the Sutton defence were pushing up, the midfield chased and attacked everything, no-one gave an inch, the team were playing impossibly well, chasing, marking and passing, Stratford struggled to get hold of it, Smurf was a spectator.

Suddenly another attack and Sutton were piling on the pressure, another shot was about to be smashed at the Stratford goal when a defender took out the Sutton stick, a huge clash and a whistle, a green card for the player in white and a flick awarded, Stratford couldn’t argue. 

Up stepped Charlotte, calm, cool and steady, a pause and then cheers rang round the ground as she dispatched it into the net - her favourite spot, the keeper wasn’t getting it, it was 2-2! 

Stratford pushed back but Sutton were on fire, the draw was enough, the pressure dropped and Stratford had no chance, there was no way the 3s were letting this go and they played like they meant it, it was a fantastic game, Sutton were unstoppable, Smurf was still a spectator as another foot in the Stratford D saw another short corner given. Another injection from Rachel and there was Charlotte to finish again, it was 3-2!!! 

Sutton were passing around well and not letting Stratford near the ball, the midfield were working tirelessly supported by the defence pushing up, cross pitch passing, solid tackling and playing some really good hockey, it was a great watch from the sideline, every player in pink was giving their all, Stratford weren’t going to come back from this onslaught, they were camped in their D as Sutton time and again attacked. The first half might have been Stratford’s, the second was all Sutton’s

There were minutes left when Stratford did manage a break through and won a short corner, a straight strike, saved, a pass out left and once again Sutton were charging out on the attack, the pink shirts were everywhere, straight up the other end and out for a 16. 

Stratford took the hit but wait, a solid block from Charlotte, a quick turn of her wrist to control and she charged down the right as Stratford tried to get back. Charlotte looked up and leathered in a cross and there was Des flying into the D with a beautiful and unstoppable deflection into the net. 4-2! The cheers were ringing around the place as a dejected Stratford pushed back again.

It was enough, the final minutes counted down as the 3s held onto the ball, the final whistle went and that was it. Sutton had secured their place in division 1 with that half and no one could doubt whether they deserved to be there with that performance. 

Stratford are a very good side and no doubt they won’t be in division 2 for long. They are joined by Solihull Blossomfield who would undoubtably have been nervously chewing at their nails as they got the reports during the game.

There were no teas and no need to do the dod and mom votes, the result was enough, it was hugs all around as we all look forward to next season.

Well played to each and every one of the 3s, they truly were amazing and as the captain I couldn't have asked for anything more from any of them. Each and every player put everything they had on that pitch and all that’s left to say is simply.......thank you! x