A definite low point was the lack lustre first period in
which both teams looked out of sorts in a scrappy contest which was not helped
by some poor officiating. Sutton took the lead on just 47 seconds through John Ros s. Brandon Stones had made a fine save from Shaun
Ashton but the puck rebounded on to Ros s’s
chest and into the net for a goal. Sting were having the better of things in the
opening minutes of the game but Spartans pulled level on 8.26 after some great
build up play from Scott Morris & Nick Manning found Will Barron to score.
The goal lifted Spartans who came more and more into the game but with some
strange calls both called & missed by the officials, the game became more
laboured than it had been previously. With neither team stamping their
authority on the game Spartans gifted Sting the lead on 17.20. Reece
Carney-Witter did well to exploit Spartans failure to clear the zone and
created space to fire in an unchallenged shot that was fumbled over the line by
Brandon Stones to concede what was a defensive howler. Sutton almost scored
again but Brandon was back on his game again to make the save after which there
was no further incident with the period thankfully ending but unfortunate for
Spartans in that they were losing 2-1.
Whatever Coach Martin White
said in the dressing room during the period break clearly had the desired
effect along with moving Shaun Wild from D to forward to cover the los s of Ollie Barron to injury; the result of a nasty
challenge in the first period (that wasn’t called); both seemingly inspiring
Spartans to put in a terrific performance. Apart from a two minute spell mid
period, Spartans completely dominated the period but some solid netminding from
Dmitri Zimozdra coupled with a stubborn defence kept Sting in the game.
However, despite their dominance, Spartans could only convert one of the many
chances they created but what a great goal it was from Scott Morris timed at
35.30, assisted Nick Manning & Dougie Jordan . Spartans were on top but it was 2-2 against a team, who on the day, were
there for the taking.
Credit must go to Sutton for the way they dug in to have
their best spell of the game in what now was an end to end game with both teams
all out for the win. There was very little between the teams this period;
Spartans enjoyed more of the possession and were passing the puck with
confidence but it was Sting who created more chances and arguably the better
ones too with Brandon Stones more than redeeming himself for his earlier
mishap. Spartans defence were outstanding this period, not just in defending
but in the build play for Spartans attacks but they couldn’t put their chances
away which saw Sting counter with some nice break out plays. It was a close
call as to who might win going into the final few minutes and with a draw being
the likely outcome Sutton were gifted an opportunity with a powerplay after a
ridiculous call on Dougie Jordan for roughing. However, despite being at a
numerical disadvantage in the final minute Spartans won possession to see the
game out and having to settle for a point.
Scott Morris won a deserved Man of the Match Award for
Spartans whilst James Goodman got the nod for Sutton.
Final Score: Sutton
Sting 2 Sheffield Spartans 2
Report by Phil Holden
Photo: Spartans' Scott Morris by David Morrison - www.david-morrison-photography.co.uk/solway-sharks
Report by Phil Holden
Photo: Spartans' Scott Morris by David Morrison - www.david-morrison-photography.co.uk/solway-sharks