Match Reports - 07 October 2006

Fixture

Blackheath, 7th October 06

Result

3 - 2 WIN ( M Shelton, W Page, E Hendry )

Venue

Away

Report

Sutton Valence continued their good form in the Kent/Sussex league with a fighting victory against a strong Blackheath side. Sutton Valence brought their London road rage onto the pitch and found themselves down to nine men after just ten minutes.

The defensive trio of Steve Back, Chris Johnson and Nick Worsfold did a fantastic job and held firm until a lapse of concentration gifted a goal to the home side. The Blackheath striker made no mistake in despatching his shot in the far corner.

Valence won a penalty stroke from a short corner but the Blackheath keeper was equal to it and the score remained 1-0 to Blackheath at half time.

Sutton Valence managed to calm down and slowly began to play their way back into the game. Chris Back and Nick Lampp started to regaining control of a tough midfield battle. A firm but fair ticking off at half-time sparked a spree of goals staring with a tidy finish from Micheal Shelton after some fine work down the left from Chris Back. Chris Back popped up again to produce another lovely feed to give Will Page and easy tap in followed. At this stage it was looking good but chances were coming thick and fast at both ends.

It became obvious that Valence were much stronger man for man and it has just been a case of a calmer and more controlled approach.

A fine passage of team play resulted with Ewan Hendry unmarked; he beat his man finished the game with a stunning ‘top D’ top corner strike. Blackheath got one back but Sutton Valence held firm to record two wins out of two.

Next week Valence take on Folkestone who are also unbeaten in the first two games.

Team

Croucher (GK); Morgan; S Back, Johnson; Worsfold; C Back; Bray; Lampp; Hendry; Shelton; Page; Turnill
Fixture

Sevenoaks, 7th October 06

Result

0 - 1 LOSS

Venue

Home

Report

Sutton Valence 2nds entered this game with high expectations following the previous week's performance. A strong side was picked to counter Sevenoaks one of last season's title contenders.

From the start the pace was fast and the main battle was fought in the midfield where Valence had the lion's share of possession without having many clear cut efforts on goal. Shortly before half time three short corners had gone close for Valence and Al Burt making a comeback from retirement had to make a couple of smart saves. Half time arrived with the scores evens and it was welcoming to catch our breaths back.

The second half began just like the first, with the growing crowd urging Valence forward. The Sutton Valence defence were looking resolute, especially man of the match debutant Gary Hagon, who had the Sevenoaks forwards in his back pocket for most of the game. Increasingly the energetic Ali Carter was giving their defence some concerns after a positive formation change, three points were surely for the taking. Valence were getting closer but could not quite convert when disaster struck, Sevenoaks had a lucky deflection sneak into the net, much to everyone’s amazement. With 30 seconds on the clock Valence had one last short corner but this like many before whistled past the far post.

Valence can be proud that they participated and narrowly lost a cracking game of hockey, Sevenoaks surely won’t face a tougher test all season.

Team

A.Burt; G.Hagon; R.Ife; A.McVarish; B.Angel; A.Lee; S. Willson; C.Jones; L.Mitchell; R.Dickenson; N.Poulter; P.Posnette; A.Carter; B.Tragett

MoM

Gary Hagon
Fixture

Old Bordenians, 7th October 06

Result

1 - 0 WIN ( R Humphrey )

Venue

Away

Report

This week Sutton Valence 4th XI travelled to Old Bordenians, looking to build on last weeks winning performance against BBHC.

Valence started off well, stringing some good passing moves together, putting the Old Bords defence under pressure with both Darren Thompson and Simon Davies forcing some good saves from the keeper early on. Winning numerous short corners Valence still couldn’t convert their good play and pressure into Goals. Maybe getting frustrated by not being able to find the back of the net Valence lost their shape a little allowing Old Bords to go on the offensive with some good attacking hockey of their own and without some desperate defending and excellent keeping by Will Aldridge the 0-0 half time score may well have looked a little different.

Valence started the 2nd half with vigour with Simon Davies hitting the post within a minute of the restart and keeping the pressure on Rupert Humphrey Beat the keeper with a hard low shot to earn Valence a well deserved goal. Old Bords then upped the tempo, determined to get an equaliser but their attacks were mostly snuffed out by the Valence defence and some with good work by Stuart Edmed and Darren Thompson in midfield they struggled to get into the Valence D. With Old Bords tiring in the last ten minutes Valence should have increased their goal tally with Chad Henderson and Humphrey both hitting the post and Simon Davies failing to connect with a reverse stick diving effort. But in the end the visitors were happy to take the 1-0 win in a match which could have easily ended up with both teams scoring a hatful of goals!

This was a good team performance all round with fine 4th team debuts from George Thomas and Marcus van der Gaag.

Team

Will Aldridge; Kyle Henderson; James Willmot; Gareth Davies; Chad Henderson; Stuart Edmed; Darren Thompson; Marcus van der Gaag; Guy Butters; Simon Davies; Rupert Humphrey; George Thomas

MoM

Darren Thompson
Fixture

Bexley Invicta, 7th October 06

Result

1 - 0 WIN ( A Lynn )

Venue

Home

Report

The excellent start in the first ever league season for the newly formed mens fifth side continues. In a very hard fought match against an established and mature Bexley side, Andy Lynn settled the game with a ferocious shot, hit on the swivel, which rocketed into the top corner of the goal.

Bexley started strongly and pressurised the Sutton defence, which held its ground. The remainder of the first half was nip and tuck as both teams tried to establish attacking positions. Bexley had the better chances and if the defence was breached, Danny Armstrong in goal made some good saves. The best save came from a short corner when a well-struck shot was turned round the post with an outstretched stick. Half time came and the score was 0-0.

Several changes were made at half-time. Phil Bramall came on as centre forward and this enabled us to hold the ball better and build more penetrating attacks. The half was characterised by Sutton Valence building steady attacks and Bexley countering with swift breaks. The game felt as if it was heading for a draw when Andy Lynn hit the back of the net. Bexley had several good chances to equalise in the final few minutes but the gods were obviously on the side of Sutton Valence.

This was a great team effort from all 14 players involved. Special mentions go to Ben Palmer for his effort and skill in midfield and Ben Gallaphant, playing his first senior game. The man of the match was Danny Armstrong who commanded his area well and made a handful of outstanding saves.

Team

Danny Armstrong, Mike Nettle, Iain Simmons, Dougie Muir, Danny Grace, Ben Palmer, Freddie McVarish, Nick Hall, James Abrahams, Andy Lynn, Phil Bramall, Ben Bramall, Richard Turnill, Ben Gallaphant.

MoM

Danny Armstrong
Fixture

BBHC, 7th October 06

Result

6 - 0 WIN ( S Simmonds 3, E Donkersley, P Webb, H Stamp )

Venue

Away

Report

Valence travelled to London needing to prove that last weeks 5-1 victory wasn’t a fluke, and they proved it convincingly - eventually!

The first half was evenly matched with both sides testing each others defences and winning penalty corners. Eventually Emma Donkersley settled her teams nerves with a powerful captains strike from a penalty corner that went through the ‘keepers legs with only four minutes to go to half time.

Valence started the second half strongly with excellent work from Penny Webb on the left wing leading to the rebound from her shot being put away by Sophie Simmonds. This was followed in turn by good work down the other wing by Holly Stamp ended with Sophie’s second goal, within five minutes of the restart ten minutes into the second half and Penny Webb’s scrambled penalty corner goal effectively finished the game as a contest.

Man of the match Holly Stamp scored from an unstoppable strike from the top of the ‘d’ with 20 minutes to go, and followed it ten minutes later with a 60 metre run to set up Sophie’s hat trick in a half where the opposition struggled to get out of their own half.

Next week sees them back in London to play Greenwich Polygons.

Team

Riona Evenden ; Natalie Higginson; Emma Donkersley (capt); Carol Hazelton; Carol Turner; Alex Auger; Penny Webb; Nicola Leggat; Frankie Boyle; Caroline Lawton; Sophie Simmons;
Holly Stamp

MoM

Holly Stamp
Fixture

Holcombe, 7th October 06

Result

4 - 0 WIN ( M Russell-Vick 3, L Talbot )

Venue

Home

Report

This was the Russets most challenging game to date. We had to fight hard to keep the ball in the attacking quarter which is where it stayed for most of the match. Although Holcombe managed to make some good clearances past our players, we still prevailed overall. Some great passing in midfield lead to the Russets winning numerous penalty corners.
Mel Russell-Vick is player of the match for her well-earned hat-trick. Excellent team performances came from Louisa Crispin and Sally Overy in midfield, while Liz Talbot also managed to get her name on to the score sheet this week.

Team

Sam Bingham, Claire Matthews, Emily Sullivan, Zoe Wright, Sally Overy, Liz Talbot, Louisa Crispin, Nicola Andrews, Helen Groombridge, Margaret Turner, Mel Russell-Vick, Sophie Garner.
Umpire: Peter Davies

MoM

Mel Russell-Vick
Fixture

Tonbridge Black Knights, 7th October 06

Result

1 - 7 LOSS ( N Willson )

Venue

Away

Report

Another hard game for Sutton Valence Vets, as Tonbridge stamped their control on the game from the opening minutes. Their greater speed, both on and off the ball, and the accuracy of their passing gave them easy access to Valence’s dee and they mounted repeated attacks into this area. Valence’s defence of Grey Smith-Laing, Andy Beavis, Peter Jackson and Steve Mole fought these off strongly, but some got through as far as borrowed keeper Pete Saggers (Tonbridge’s Captain). Eventually some were bound to be converted and by half-time they were three up, but with one pulled back from a good strike by Valence’s Nick Willson which a defender was unable to keep out.

In the second half Valence managed a little more penetration, with some good running from the midfield players Willson, Robertson and Knight and some promising linking between them and Henry Humphrey in the middle and the two wingers, Worsfold and Linaker. But these attacks were unable to be converted into real scoring chances and the couple of short corners won were equally unproductive. Tonbridge showed no intention of easing up and scored four more.

Team

Pete Saggers (on loan); Andy Beavis; Peter Jackson; Grey Smith-Laing; Steve Mole (Capt); Nick Willson; John Knight; Hugh Robertson: Henry Humphrey; Charles Worsfold; Paul Linaker.