Match Reports - 21 January 2006

  • First Team

    Fixture
    Mid Sussex, 21st January 06
    Result
    3 - 3 DRAW ( A Turnill 2, S Waldrom )
    Venue
    Away
    Report

    Sutton Valence made the long trip to Mid Sussex on Saturday looking to bring home a comfortable 3 points against a team who had failed to register even a point this season.

    The game started very scrappy with the ball spending most of the time in the midfield. Valence had a few chances to open the scoring but failed to take their opportunities. It was Mid Sussex who surprisingly took the lead against the run of play with their first attack of the game. Some poor Valence defending let the forward have a free shot from the top of the D and the ball was despatched into the corner of the goal. Valence fought hard to get back in the game but found it difficult against a team who were happy to keep ten men behind the ball. Valence did eventually get on the score sheet from a short corner which Waldrom put away in what can only be described as a farcical finish after his drag flick went along the turf and into the bottom corner. Valence took the lead just before half time after another short corner, which this time was well worked and ended up in the back of the net from Andy Turnill?s stick.

    After a stern talking to at half time, Valence came out for the second half looking to kill the game off as soon as possible with Brett ?The Boob Man? Angel at the heart of most attacks. Chances came and went before Turnill scored his second after good work from the Valence forwards. Valence kept coming forward which in the end worked against them when the Valence defence line went AWOL and Middies broke away to gain a dubious penalty flick after the forward trod on a stick and fell like he had been shot. The Middies captain coolly converted the penalty to bring them back to 2-3 with five minutes to go. The equaliser came with a minute to go when a scramble in the Valence D saw the ball drop to the Middies player on the spot, who somehow found a route to goal to give Mid Sussex their first point of the season.

    Valence will need to improve their game next Saturday when they entertain Folkestone who they beat 4-3 in the first half of the season after being 3-0 down. The game starts at 12:00 at Sutton Valence School.

  • Second Team

    Fixture
    Holcombe 3A, 21st January 06
    Result
    2 - 1 WIN ( J Clarke, M Shelton )
    Venue
    Home
    Report

    SV started strongly in the sunshine at Sutton Valence school and played fast, committed hockey. The two teams were evenly matched for the first 20 minutes with the game mainly contested in midfield areas. SV lost their captain to injury and after reshuffling resources scored a goal almost immediately. Sutton broke down a Holcombe attack and after 3 quick passes found Shelton in the D he coolly drew the keeper and slipped the ball to Clarke who made no mistake from 4 yards.

    Sutton maintained the lead until shortly after half time when a poor defensive clearance led to the Holcs captain having a clear run at goal to score. Holcombe buoyed by the goal had the better of the second half exchanges and Valence have their keeper Al Burt to thank for making several saves to keep the scores level. SV looked dangerous on the break and from one of these forays into the Holcombe area John Edmed rounded the goalkeeper only to be brought down. Mike Shelton converted the resulting penalty to ensure a valuable 3 points were added to the SV tally for the season.

    Team
    Al Burt, Will Hoffman, Steve Parker, Andy Macvarish, Bob Bartlett, John Edmed, Richard Dickenson, Mike Shelton, James Clarke, Rob Ife, Ben Tragett, Andrew Lee
    MoM
    Al Burt

  • Third Team

    Fixture
    University of Kent, 21st January 06
    Result
    4 - 2 WIN ( B Bouwens 4 )
    Venue
    Home
    Report

    After a six week break, Bert Bouwens returned with one of his finest performances for the Club, scoring all four goals in a tough game against the University of Kent 2nd team. Sutton Valence took controlled the first half and took the lead twice, but the University of Kent had two opportunities and scored from both of them.

    The second half was more evenly matched in the midfield but by taking a two goal lead, Sutton were able to put the pressure onto the University. When they did have one shot on goal, David Paine made a spectacular save on the line to ensure the lead was retained. Ben Palmer did an excellent job controlling the mid field, and Steve Sunnocks had a good debut, but Bouwens 4 goals made him man of the match.

    Team
    Sharp; Dow; Paine; Davies; Holmes; Palmer; F. McVarish; Mcrea; Sunnocks; Bouwens; Atkins. Ump: R Ife
    MoM
    Bert Bouwens

  • Fourth Team

    Fixture
    Ashford, 21st January 06
    Result
    4 - 0 WIN ( R Humphrey 2, T Auger, J Counsell )
    Venue
    Away
    Report

    With a winning run to build upon, Sutton Valence 4ths really didn't turn up for the first five minutes of the game. Playing their worst hockey of the campaign, the 4s were lucky not to find themselves 1-0 down in the opening exchanges - two blatant fouls meant that an Ashford strike was eventually disallowed.

    Valence finally got their act together and opened the scoring as Rupert Humphrey spanked home a short corner. Minutes later, excellent work from Ben Grabham put Valence two up - Rupert snagging his second using all of his experience in the D. As the half continued, Valence lacked shape and could easily have conceded, but for the determination of those at the back.

    With the odd handbag flying about, halftime came as a welcome distraction.

    Words were exchanged and Valence faced the second half with renewed vigour. Damon Loft played an excellent half, repeatedly breaking up Ashford attacks and always going for the simple option. A tactical change gave instant rewards as Tony Auger and then John Counsell gave Valence a four goal cushion. Some truly awful challenges soon meant that tempers flared in a game that offered little in the way of class and guile. The game ended with handbags flying in all directions and with players counting their lumps and bumps.

    For Man of the match, both Damon Loft and Ben Grabham had fine games, but the players vote went to the 'Blobster'. Recovering from a shocking first ten, James Wilmott played a blinder - totally nullifying Ashfords' centre forwards to the point where they could only kick (often) and scream in defiance.

    Team
    R Sharp; E Goacher; J Willmott; K Henderson; C Henderson; D Thompson; B Grabham; D Loft; R Humphrey; T Auger; T Laing; J Counsell. Umpire: S Weedon
    MoM
    James Wilmott

  • Fifth Team

    Fixture
    Cliftonville, 21st January 06
    Result
    3 - 0 WIN ( M Willson, L Davies, P Bramall )
    Venue
    Home
    Report

    The team was virtually the same as last week and, despite a decent warm up, took five minutes to start moving forward. Cliftonville attacked with pace but the defence held firm and prevented a meaningful shot on goal. As the first half developed, the 5s worked the ball up the field repeatedly and regularly delivered the ball into the D. The problem was that the area was so crowded with attackers and defenders that only a handful of shots were dispatched on goal. Eventually the pressure paid off and minutes before half time a penalty corner strike by Lyndon Davies was skilfully deflected past the keeper by Matt Willson.

    With nerves settled, the half time team talk focussed on a strong first five minutes. Unfortunately, Cliftonville must have thought that the talk was aimed at them and they pressed hard for an equaliser. Again the defence held firm and on the odd occasion that the ball did head goalwards young Will Aldridge cleared it away well. The same pattern emerged as in the first half. The pressure resulted in numerous penalty corners and eventually Lyndon Davies drilled one at goal which slid past the packed Cliftonville defence.

    The confidence of a 2-0 lead allowed the 5s to build more attacks. Spaces were opening up on the right flank and Nick Willson and Simon Davies worked well together and individually, delivering good balls into the D. Cliftonville continued to attack with speed as space opened up in midfield. However, their young attackers became disillusioned that they could not penetrate the defence. Finally, Phil Bramall took advantage of the open spaces and dribbled his way into the D from midfield before slotting the ball past the keeper.

    The whole team played very well. All thirteen players were used with double rotations happening every 10 minutes. This kept everyone fresh and enabled many to play in at least two positions during the game. The man of the match votes were spread between three players. Marcus played well in midfield and defence. Simon’s overall performance improved greatly. The man of the match award was finally settled by the opposition who identified Matt Willson as the 5s most influential player.

    A mention must go to both umpires who controlled the game well and allowed the game to flow with good use of the advantage rule.

    Team
    W Aldridge, D Moir, L Davies, I Simmons, M Willson, P Bramall, J Abrahams, M van de Gaar, N Willson, J Davies, D Grace, S Davies, N Hall. Umpire: J Knight
    MoM
    Matt Willson

  • Ladies 1st Team

    Fixture
    Canterbury, 21st January 06
    Result
    3 - 2 WIN ( Tragett 3 )
    Venue
    Away
    Report

    Sutton Valence Ladies gain in confidence as they win their hardest game of the season so far.

    Canterbury set out a very strong team against Sutton Valence and played to win from the start. Valence opened the game with some fast attacking play which resulted in the first of three goals from Penny Tragett. The second goal again saw some good linking play from the midfields and then a slip from the back line to Penny Tragett on that magical penalty spot. After this, Valence relaxed a little and Canterbury began to fight back. With some end to end play from both teams and even with some exceptional defending from Carol Hazelton and her trusty sidekick Sarah Leggat, Canterbury then took their opportunity to score.

    With only a 2 – 1 lead at half time Valence knew they had a fight on their hands. Control of play continued to be shared equally between both teams and Canterbury had to battle hard for their second goal after a number of saves from Riona Evenden. However Valence showed team spirit to get their final goal, which Tragett hammered home with 10 minutes to spare.

    The last 10 minutes consisted of some exciting hockey. Valence defence really showed their ability as a network by battling hard to keep the ball out of the circle. The close final score did not reflect the team effort, but it was encouraging to see that Valence could beat such a capable side, even when the game didn’t always seem to be going their way.

    Team
    Riona Evenden; Georgie Pares; Emma Donkersley; Penny Tragett; Sarah Leggat; Sarah Lacey; Natalie Higginson; Carol Hazelton; Carol Turner; Holly Stamp; Margaret Turner
    MoM
    Carol Hazelton

  • Sutton Russets

    Fixture
    Greenwich Poly, 21st January 06
    Result
    3 – 0 WIN ( J Pendered 2, S Overy )
    Venue
    Home
    Report

    This week's match was played against one of our toughest contenders, Greenwich Poly, who are several places above the Sutton Russets in the division. This was a closely fought game, which could have easily been a draw. Our 3-0 win does not reflect the skill and determination exuded by both teams.

    Early on in the game, however, Sutton Russets dominated, maintaining the best of the possession. The midfielders all worked hard and communicated well together to block the ball from the Greenwich attack. Sally Overy and Jane Pendered made a fine combination. An excellent cross from Jane lead to Sally pounding the ball into the back of the net. By half-time we were 1-0 up.

    The second half was far more competitive as Greenwich picked up their game and placed our defence under pressure. Sam Bingham made some much needed tackles which kept Greenwich at bay. Although Greenwich had plenty of opportunity to score, our extra drive and commitment prevailed. Newcomer Zoë Wright put in a good effort and her confidence strengthened as the game progressed. Sally had a fantastic match being all over the pitch to make many successful tackles. However, Man of the Match had to go to Jane for her two well-deserved goals which included a cunning and strategically placed penalty flick.

    Team
    Naomi Martin, Sam Bingham, Liz MacLaren, Amanda Payne-Cook, Ella Corrick, Jane Pendered, Sally Overy, Liz Talbot, Zoë Wright, Louisa Crispin, Liz Seale, Nicola Andrews. Umpire: Peter Davies
    MoM
    Jane Pendered