Match Reports - 20 January 2007

Fixture

Blackheath, 2th January 06

Result

1 - 3 LOSS ( A Turnill )

Venue

Home

Report

Sutton Valence started this home game at pace and with determination in what promised to be a well contested match. Although applying significant pressure and holding the ball in the Blackheath half, Sutton Valence failed to convert this pocession into goal scoring opportunities. Indeed Blackheath were first to have a decent effort turned off the line by the excellent, Ben Croucher - who on his league debut for the 1st XI had a fantastic game. After this early scare SVHC regrouped and were soon rewarded when a short corner was dispatched high into the goal by Andy Turnill. Sutton Valence maintained their pocession and tempo taking a 1-0 lead into the half time break.

The 2nd half of this contest was a follow on of the 1st half; SVHC failed to turn all their pocession into goal scoring opportunities, the only difference was that Blackheath managed to convert a short corner, score 2 breakaway goals and a Valence player got a stick in the face. Blackheath did defend well and soaked up a lot Sutton Valence pressure before attacking on the break at speed - one goal in particular was finished exceptionally well, leaving keeper and defence helpless. Although Blackheath did have a player sent off for a poor challenge the damage had already been done. Valence will be happy with the way they played but must convert their pocession advantage into goals.
Fixture

Sevenoaks, 20th January 06

Result

1 - 3 LOSS ( B Bartlett )

Venue

Away

Report

SV traveled to promotion seeking Sevenoaks with only eleven players. The opening exchanges were even. Sevenoaks looked particularly dangerous on the break. Sevenoaks first goal came from a clearance from their own ‘D’ and a quick move downfield saw them in the Sutton area with the visitors defence still struggling to get back.

The opening goal gave the home team even more confidence and they played fluent hockey, and applied much pressure to the SV defence. During this period Sevenoaks scored two further goals. The first goal was a little fortunate when a SV foot deflected the ball into the goal. The home side’s third goal was a very well worked move from a free hit.

The half time whistle came at a good time for SV and allowed the visitors a much needed chance to regroup. It was obvious that SV were playing for pride only in the second half. The effort from all eleven players was excellent and they played much better hockey after the break and had most of the game in the second half. SV spent most of the second period in the Sevenoaks half. The home team were adept at absorbing the pressure and with a 3 goal lead were rarely troubled. SV persevered and were eventually rewarded with the award of a penalty stroke. Bob Bartlett coolly slotted the penalty giving the goalkeeper no chance.

At 3-1 down SV continued to press and if Freddie MacVarish’s shot had gone in instead of hitting the post the home side might have had a nervous last few minutes, but it was not to be. So despite an excellent 2nd half performance SV had left themselves too much to do against a good Sevenoaks side.

Team

Bert, Hoffmann, Ife, Leader, Parker, Mitchell, Bartlett, Lee, Tragett, MacVarish (F), Edmed

MoM

Freddy McVarish
Fixture

New Beccehamians, 20th January 06

Result

1 - 5 LOSS ( M Ife )

Venue

Away

Report

Sutton Valence were going to be up against it from the start having only 10 men but refused to play defensive and begun the game holding their own and pushing forward at every opportunity. With key players missing Valence held on for as long as possible but good work from the New Becs forwards created the first goal of the game. At one nil down Valence started the second half with great courage but seeing numerous chances slip past the New Becs goal they knew it wasn't going to be their day.

New Becs again gained control of the game and scored another well worked goal but Valence turned around and from a short corner Max Ife scored to give Valence hope. Valence had to push forward to try and get another and after hitting the post and some good saves from the keeper it was always going to be New Becs day and after numerous attacks the home side managed to get 3 in the last 10 minutes.

Team

R Sharp; J Davies; A McCrea; D Thompson; C Henderson; J Clarke; B Bouwens; C Stille; I Bailey; M Ife

MoM

Josh Davies
Fixture

Old Bordenians, 20th January 06

Result

4 - 1 WIN ( A Lynn 2, C henderson, S Davies )

Venue

Home

Report

This week Sutton Valence 4th XI were hosts to Old Bordenians 5ths who they had struggled to beat 1-0 in their previous league clash.

In bright sunny conditions the game started with the home side firmly in control with Stuart Edmed and Darren Thompson creating some good goal scoring chances. After 15 minutes Valence took the lead when a piercing ball from the midfield was cracked into the top corner of the goal by Andy Linn. Old Bords almost equalised minutes later when their big centre forward cracked the ball goal wards only to be foiled by the ever impressive Will Aldridge to leave the score 1-0 at half time.

5 minutes into the second half after some good build up play on the right from new recruit Daniel Mansfield and the ever energetic Mike Nettle, Andy Linn scored with a reverse stick shot when his initial strike was only half stopped by the keeper. Soon afterwards Chad Henderson made it 3-0 slotting the ball in at the near post after a well worked penalty corner routine. Old Bords pulled one back with a powerful shot from the top of the D but at the restart a barnstorming run by Gary Hagon he saw Simon Davies in space at the far post who put home the resulting pass with a fine diving effort to put the game out of Old Bords reach.

Team

Will Aldridge, Gary Hagon, Mike Nettle, Daniel Mansfield, Chad Henderson, Stuart Edmed, Darren Thompson, Andy Linn, Simon Davies, Rupert Humphrey Marcus Van Der Gaag

MoM

Gary Hagon
Fixture

Bexley Invicta, 20th January 06

Result

1 - 3 LOSS ( Davies )

Venue

Away

Report

Sutton Valence began this top of the table match with only 10 players. Bexley started at a great pace and swept up field time and again. Eventually, Bexley scored from a penalty corner. Ten minutes later it was two-nil as a fierce shot burst through the keepers pads. The rest of the half was pretty even but there were repeated stoppages as the umpires spoke to several players and disputed each other’s decisions.

A switch in personnel at half time brought a better balance to the Sutton Valence side and eventually Davies finished off a good passing move. Valence pushed forward for an equalizer which left the defence outnumbered on many occasions. Some resolute defending and good keeping kept the game alive until Bexley thumped in a short corner a few minutes from time.

This was a tough and niggly match which suffered from inconsistent interpretation of the rules by the umpires and repeated questioning of decisions by several of the Bexley players. The Valence players performed with spirit and dignity, maintaining the club ethos.

Team

Danny Armstrong, Phil Beech, Iain Simmons, Nick Hall, Ben Gallafant, Bob Sagrott, Danny Grace, Edmed, Mike Nettle, Davies

MoM

Phil Beech
Fixture

Holcombe, 20th January 06

Result

2 - 0 ( A Auger, S Lacey )

Venue

Away

Report

Following their triumphant victory against 2nd division Tunbridge Wells in the new year, Sutton Valence ladies were hopeful of an easy win against Holcombe 3s this week. Despite being the stronger side the visitors had to really work hard to gain an advantage. There were some great set pieces by Sarah Lacey and Penny Webb on the left hand side and the defenders led by Carol Hazelton worked tirelessly to keep any trouble at bay. The balls came thick and fast through to the Valence forwards, but there were no real dynamics in front of goal. A quick ball in from a free hit by Emma Donkersley was capitalized on by Valence however towards the end of the first half and Alex Auger scored her first goal of the season for the ladies first team and the opening goal of the match.

The second half was better for Alex Auger and Sophie Simmonds who ran the wings well. The defenders battled hard against the Holcombe attackers and Nikki Leggat and Caroline Lawton's energetic runs were a godsend to the tired midfielders. Carol Hazelton and Riona Evenden were true to form and made very few mistakes. Sutton Valence were awarded several penalty corners in the second half and had numerous shots on goal, but failed to convert any until the final 15 minutes. Sophie Simmonds, Alex Auger and Sarah Lacey fought hard and their persistence paid off as Sarah Lacey found the back of the net. 3 points well earned, but Valence's game must lift if they want a win against BBHC next week.

Team

Riona Evenden (GK); Natalie Higginson; Emma Donkersley (capt); Carol Hazelton; Georgie Pares; Sophie Simmonds; Caroline Lawton; Sarah Lacey; Penny Webb; Nikki Leggat; Alex Auger

MoM

Caroline Lawton
Fixture

Crackenford, 20th January 06

Result

4 - 2 WIN ( M Turner 2, M Russell-Vick 2 )

Venue

Away

Report

We started off well against Crackenford, having the lion’s share of the possession and winning many penalty corners. We had several good shots on goal, but Crackenford’s keeper persisted at keeping the ball at bay. Midway through the first half, disaster struck as defender Helen Groombridge got low to make a tackle and ended up losing three of her teeth from a member of the opposition’s stick and had to be rushed off to hospital. A player down and feeling somewhat queasy, Sutton battled on. Margaret Turner scored our first goal, but just before half time Crackenford equalised.

After half time Crackenford fought back and kept keeper Chloe Auger on her toes. Chloe made several outstanding saves to keep us in the game. Some solid defending and directing the ball up to the forwards by Carol Turner lead to 2 further goals being scored by Mel Russell-Vick and a second from Margaret Turner. A struggle of a game that paid off with a 3 point win.

Team

Chloe Auger, Claire Matthews, Carol Turner, Sam Bingham, Helen Groombridge, Liz Talbot, Louisa Crispin, Emily Sullivan, Margaret Turner, Mel Russell-Vick, Sophie Garner.

MoM

Chloe Auger