Ladies First Team Details

Sutton Valence Ladies were at home to Gravesend this week. The first ten minutes were horrendous for Valence. There were more feet than stickwork and the home side could not string more than 3 passes together! Not surprisingly, the first goal was scored by Gravesend. This was the wakeupcall Valence required. The defence, consisting of Chloe Auger, Carol Hazelton, Caroline Lawton, Zoe Wright and Natalie Higginson, worked well together and kept any danger to a minumum. Emily Bush and Anna Kish paired up well on the left hand side and 20 minutes into the game, Valence started to play some better hockey. Shortly before half time a penalty corner routine, and some good Umpiring, gave Anna Kish the opportunity to equalise.

The second half was dominated by Valence. Several penalty corners were awarded and the home side played with a little more conviction. Sarah Lacey enjoyed some good runs up right wing and Nikki Leggat and Caroline Lawton were there in support for the centre link play. A cracking cross in from Georgie Pares was capitalised on by Anna Kish and Valence scored their second goal.

Observation: A well deserved win, but if Valence want to push for promotion this year, then they need to get stronger on the ball and want it from the first whistle. Week on week, the first half is poor and then in the second they perk up.