Match Reports - 16 September 2006

  • Second Team

    Fixture
    Holcombe, 16th September 06
    Result
    2 – 0 LOSS
    Venue
    Home
    Report

    The Second team began their first friendly of the new season with a few new faces in the starting eleven. Both sides started positively and whilst Valence had the best of the possession, it was Holcs who created the best chances - some good defending and a couple saves keeping Holcs out. At the other end, some good counter attacking hockey and an excellent work rate were causing Holcs all sorts of problems, with David Kennedy looking especially dangerous. Holcs grabbed a goal, but Valence went into half time knowing that it was still all to play for.

    Sutton were much the better side in the second half, as their better fitness and good use of subs gave them the lions share of possession. However, despite all of the hard work the team lacked a cutting edge and eventually went further behind to a break away goal.

    Team
    R Sharp; G; S Parker; R Ife; M Ife; P Posnette; A Lee; B Angel; F MacVarish; R Dickenson; D Kennedy; A MacVarish; S Knott; T Edwards; N Holmes. Umpire: P Day
    MoM
    Nick Holmes

  • Fourth Team

    Fixture
    Old Bordenians, 16th September 06
    Result
    1 - 3 LOSS ( J Counsell )
    Venue
    Home
    Report

    For the 1st friendly game of the season the 4th XI faced a youthful Old Bords side on the Underhill school astrodome.

    Sutton Valence started well controlling the game for the opening minutes passing well and creating a couple of good chances and after 7 minutes the good work paid off with John Counsell putting a rebounding shot in the back of the net with a classic off drive!! 1-0. Then possibly resting on our laurels a little, Valence let Old Bords string some good passing together marshalled by their Coach and Captain in midfield, but their attacks were broken down by the Valence defence. Then just before half time Bords Scored a good goal from a short corner to make it 1-1.

    In the 2nd Half Valence looked a different team, maybe tiring a little from their 1 ½ hour warm up before the game!! And Bords started to control the game a little more attacking well on the counter with only the excellent work of Phil Day, Dougie Muir, Josh Davies and some good saves from Will Aldridge keeping the scores level. However the pressure was bound to take its toll and 10 minutes into the half Bords went 2-1 up with a goal slotted in at the back post. Valence could have equalised 2 minutes later when Humphrey put Counsell clear on goal only to see the resulting shot go agonisingly wide. Bords put the nail in the coffin of a tired Valence side going 3-1 up with a short corner bundled in on the final whistle.

    Even though the opposition came out victors there were a lot of plus points to be had from this game with good performances from all of the young players in the squad and with a few more games under their belt the 4th team will be a force to be reckoned with.

    Team
    Will Aldridge, Gareth Davies, Phillip Day, Josh Davies, Dougie Muir, Nick Hall, Simon Davies, Stewart Edmed, Darren Thompson, Rupert Humphrey, John Counsell
    MoM
    Will Aldridge (Keeper)

  • Ladies 1st Team

    Fixture
    Holcome, 16th September 06
    Result
    1 - 2 WIN ( S Leggat 2 )
    Venue
    Away
    Report

    This game was much needed for both teams as the 22 ladies that took to the pitch for their pre season friendly had not played hockey since March…!

    Both teams started well. Sutton Valence was the more positive team in attack, but Holcome looked defensively stronger, so there was a power struggle between the two counterparts. Sutton Valence battled hard and eventually broke the Holcome defence down. A cross in from newcomer Frankie Boyle was picked up by Sarah Leggat on the left post and slotted in for Valence’s first goal. Most of the action was in the Valence attacking half, but despite good runs by Holly Stamp on right wing and numerous shots on goal, by the visiting team, Holcome held firm and kept any potential goals out. A counter attack by Holcome’s right winger duped defender Natalie Higginson and left goal keeper Riona Evenden one on one with the attacker. The winger made no mistake and hammered home the equaliser.

    The second half saw a flurry of activity all over the pitch. Valence temporarily lost 2 players due to injury and struggled with 9 players to temper the enthusiastic Holcome midfielders. Both teams were tiring and passing was not as quick as it was in the first half. Sutton Valence’s defenders played well and fought to keep trouble at bay and the forward line kept pushing for goals. A couple of fantastic balls in from Nikki Leggat strayed just wide of the goal with no receiver to put them away. A well worked routine by Caroline Lawton, Holly Stamp and Sarah Leggat was rewarded when Sarah converted the winger’s pass to score Valence’s winning goal.

    An excellent start to the season and a rude awakening for the unfit players!!

    Team
    Riona Evenden; Carol Hazelton; Natalie Higginson; Nikki Leggat; Emma Dickenson; Liz Talbot; Frankie Boyle; Emma Donkersley (C); Sarah Leggat; Caroline Lawton; Holly Stamp

  • Sutton Russets

    Fixture
    Meopham, 16th September 06
    Result
    1 – 2 LOSS ( Louisa Crispin )
    Venue
    Away
    Report

    Our first friendly game of the season against Meopham was a really closely fought match. The defence held solid for the duration of the game and Sam Bingham made some great saves in goal. Meopham were the stronger team in the first half and managed to score against us. Some good passing in midfield allowed us chances in the attacking circle, but we were unable to shoot on target.

    In the second half, our game improved immensely as players started passing to one another far more. An excellent opportunity opened up for midfielder Sophie Simmonds as she ran down the length of the pitch, past several defence and slotted the ball across to Louisa Crispin who was able to tap the ball in past the keeper. Unfortunately Meopham managed to score again in the last minutes of the game, despite the Russets having the main possession.

    Man of the Match is awarded to Sophie Simmonds for her superb positioning, passing and tremendous effort.

    Team
    Sam Bingham, Zoë Wright, Carol Turner, Claire Matthews, Emily Sullivan, Nicola Andrews, Liz Talbot, Sophie Simmonds, Louisa Crispin, Naomi Martin, Sophie Garner.
    Umpire: John Edmed
    MoM
    Sophie Simmonds

  • Veterans Team

    Fixture
    Exiles, 16th September 06
    Result
    3 - 2 WIN ( R Humphrey 2, M Mallett )
    Venue
    Home
    Report

    The annual match between past players of Sutton Valence and the Vets took place on Sunday at Sutton Valence Senior School astro. In pleasant sunshine the game was as competitive as always, with Sutton Valence Vets providing most of the pressure in the first half and scoring their first two goals from Rupert Humphrey to prove it.

    The second half was more even, due mainly to the Exiles improving their strength by the addition of Brendan Sullivan (a young National League player), son of Pat, who was already playing. His picking up and distribution of the ball changed the game, giving the Exiles several chances to catch up. They converted one through David Gambrill, but then the Vets went further ahead with a simple conversion from Mike Mallett. Richard Williams had three possible chances that just missed the target before Gambrill got their second.

    The game was followed by a pleasant meal at the Swan, where old memories and the beer both flowed freely.

    Team
    Dave Britten; Peter Jackson; Richard Evans; Bob Sagrott (Capt); Mark Leader; Stuart Bates; John Knight; Iain Simmons; Mike Mallett; Godfrey Palmer; Rupert Humphrey; Paul Linaker. Umpire; Peter Davies.