Match Reports - 21 October 2006

  • Second Team

    Fixture
    Herne Bay, 21st October 06
    Result
    2 - 1 WIN ( A Lee, J Mann )
    Venue
    Home
    Report

    Sutton Valence entertained league leaders Herne Bay at home on Saturday afternoon. It was a tough encounter with both teams playing uncompromising hockey. The visitors started well and played with the confidence that comes from winning their last three games. The SV defence repelled all threats and despite having the lion’s share of possession Herne Bay created few chances and squandered several penalty corner opportunities. Al Burt in the SV goal was able to deal with any attacks that made it past the cool & composed defence of Steve Parker & Rob Ife.

    SV came into the game more as Herne Bay failed to turn their early pressure into goals. The SV forwards always looked dangerous when they had the ball. The pace & skill of Ali Carter caused the opposition defence many problems. SV would have created even more threat if they had not given away possession so easily on many occasions.

    Herne Bay continued to press forward in numbers and it was after one of their attacks was thwarted that Sutton broke quickly down the right flank. The ball was crossed to Andrew Lee, free on the penalty spot. Lee’s mis-hit shot deceived the keeper and crept over the line to give Sutton the lead at half time.

    The second half began in much the same vein as the first half with Herne Bay enjoying much of the play and pressing the SV goal. After ten minutes Herne Bay scored the goal which levelled the game at 1-1. Following the goal SV redoubled their efforts and the game became much more even, with Man of the Match Steve Cates driving his team from central midfield. Both teams created chances as the defences tired and mistakes crept into the play. It was home team that made the decisive breakthrough with Jon Mann scoring with a powerful drag flick from one of SV’s few penalty corners. SV managed to hold onto the three points in the final minutes.

    It was a tough game, but excellent composure and team spirit and some luck saw SV win a game which could easily have been lost. The team visit lowly Folkestone next week and will need the same attitude to ensure they build on a good start to the season.

    Team
    A.Burt, S Parker, R Ife, R Turnill, L Mitchell, B Tragett, R Bartlett, A Lee, J Mann, A Carter, N Poulter, S Cates, J Edmed
    MoM
    S Cates

  • Fourth Team

    Fixture
    Holcome, 21st October 06
    Result
    5 - 2 WIN ( A Lynn 2, R Humphrey, S Davies, R Dickinson )
    Venue
    Home
    Report

    A keen Holcombe side started the game at pace putting the Valence defence under pressure from the off. This early pressure was rewarded with the visitors going a goal up after 5 minutes with a clever deflection at the near post. Holcombe kept Valence on the back foot with some good possesional hockey when against the run of play Rupert Humphrey put Valence level finishing a Simon Davies cross with a bullet of a shot into the top corner.

    The visitors had numerous chances to go ahead but some fine keeping by Will Aldridge and some poor finishing kept the scores level. With the opposition getting frustrated Valence consolidated and after some good passing on the right flank between James Watkins and Max ife, Simon Davies found himself in space and made no mistake with the finish making it 2-1. Soon after the Holcombe keeper failed to clear a cross and Andy Lynn popped up at the near post making it 3-1 by Half Time.

    After the break Holcombe pushed players forward, determined to get back in the game and scored a second goal after some strong attacking play. But this tactic left the defence exposed and not long after Lynn got his second with a neat reverse stick finish from close range. Richard Dickenson sealed the Victory scoring Valence’s 5th goal, flicking the ball into net over the diving keeper.

    Team
    Will Aldridge, Kyle Henderson, Phil Day, Gareth Davies, Rob Harrison, Darren Thompson, Richard Dickenson, Max Ife, Simon Davies, Rupert Humphrey, James Watkins, Andy Lynn
    MoM
    Will Aldridge

  • Fifth Team

    Fixture
    Wellcome, 21st October 06
    Result
    3 - 0 WIN ( D Grace, N Hall, M Leader )
    Venue
    Away
    Report

    Players arrived from far and wide for this match, though some found the directions difficult which resulted in the match beginning with 10 players on the field. The game started with both teams gently constructing attacks. The arrival of the 11th player helped Sutton Valence to begin to get the upper hand and a number of good attacks flowed down the right flank. Eventually, a beautiful set of passes took the ball into the D and Ben Bramall drew the keeper and passed back in front of goal for Mark Leader to stroke the ball home.

    At half time Terry Laing went in goal and this put Danny Armstrong in midfield and allowed Mike Nettle to settle into defence. This seemed to strengthen the team and most of the play ended up in the Wellcome half. After numerous attempts on goal another good effort from Phil Bramall was saved but Danny Grace cleverly flicked the ball backwards through his legs into the goal. Wellcome pressed forward for a goal of their own which gave the defenders more to do, but they coped well and Terry only had three saves to make. Sutton Valence continued to press forward and another great play from Phil Bramall left Nick Hall to prod the ball home. More attacks followed but the fourth goal failed to materialize.

    This was another good all-round team performance. Bob Sagrott, Phil Bramall and Mark Leader played commanding roles in midfield. Dougie Muir and Mike Nettle were secure and calm in defence. Terry Laing played well in defence and goal, despite carrying an injury. The man of the match was Ben Bramall who played the ball well in attack, linked with team mates and set up the first goal with a beautiful pass.

    Team
    Terry Laing, Mike Nettle, Iain Simmons, Dougie Muir, Danny Grace, Bob Sagrott, Nick Hall, Danny Armstrong, Phil Bramall, Ben Bramall, Mark Leader. Umpire:Stuart Weedon
    MoM
    Ben Bramall

  • Sutton Russets

    Fixture
    Cobdown, 21st October 06
    Result
    4 - 3 WIN ( S Simmonds 2, M Russell Vick, A Auger )
    Venue
    Away
    Report

    This week the Sutton Russets played a very closely fought game against local rivals Cobdown on grass. Sutton started off extremely well, having the majority of the possession in the first half. Excellent passing and positioning in midfield lead an opening goal from Mel Russell-Vick. Player of the match Zoe Wright was outstanding in defence, tackling any advancing Cobdown player out of the game. Her skilful passing to Alex Auger gave the Russets their second goal. Minutes before half time Cobdown replied leaving us 2-1 up.

    In the second half Sutton maintained their good positioning and strong passing. Nicola Andrews excelled in midfield, working a brilliant routine of feeding the ball up to winger Sophie Simmonds who slotted in a further two goals. 4-1 up Sutton became complacent as they allowed Cobdown several opportunities on goal. Some slack marking and mistakes in the D lead to Cobdown winning numerous penalty corners. Sutton keeper Liz Talbot was bombarded but managed to make several good saves. However two further goals got past her. A close game in which we deservedly gained a 4-3 victory.

    Team
    Liz Talbot, Carol Turner, Emily Sullivan, Zoe Wright, Julia Moen, Naomi Martin, Nicola Andrews, Alex Auger, Margaret Turner, Mel Russell-Vick, Sophie Simmonds.
    Umpire: Bob Percival
    MoM
    Zoe Wright

  • Veterans Team

    Fixture
    HSBC, 21st October 06
    Result
    3 - 5 LOSS ( C Worsfold 2, H Robertson )
    Venue
    Home
    Report

    This was something of a first as in recent seasons HSBC have not felt confident in having sufficient numbers to put out an away side. None the less the team had the same flavour as those normally achieved ‘at home’, having a fair spicing of non-vets in their attack, but whereas in home games they have often already just played a game, here they were fresh!

    The report on the game reads almost identically to the previous week. Valence started very uncertainly and quickly gave away some pretty unnecessary goals, further raising the visitors’ confidence and putting themselves under pressure. As HSBC scored more Valence continued to try to break out and gradually they improved their success rate. During this period Charles Worsfold made the most of lurking near the opposition goal by slotting home two loose balls very effectively. Half time was Valence 2 : 4 HSBC.

    The second half continued to see Valence mounting more positive attacks though HSBC were effective in breaking many of them down before they got too close and sending their own attackers off again. However Valence did get a couple of short corners and after HSBC had scored their fifth, Valence’s Hugh Robertson broke through to hit an unstoppable shot past the HSBC keeper. Here the score stayed despite some promising attempts by both sides.

    Same lessons to be learned as the previous week. Tighter defence in the early part of the game and better use of any short corners won.

    Team
    Dave Britten; Grey Smith-Laing; Steve Mole (Capt); Andy Beavis; Nick Willson; Stuart Bates; John Knight (part); ANO; Peter Jackson (part); Henry Humphrey; Charles Worsfold (part); Paul Linaker (part). Umpire: Paul Linaker (1st half); Charles Worsfold/John Knight (2nd half).
    MoM
    Charlie Worsfold

  • U16 Boys

    Fixture
    SJB Academy, 22nd October 06
    Result
    4 - 1 WIN ( Nick Holmes, Al Carter, James Stanford, Tom Edwards )
    Venue
    Away
    Report
    After a 2 hour drive to get to Cranleigh and then to start playing in monsoon conditions, Sutton spent the first 10 minutes of the game under a fair amount of pressure as the SJB pinned Sutton in their half of the pitch. Suttons defence and mid-field held strong and kept SJB to a few wishful hits in to the D. As Sutton settled Al Carter pushed a great through ball to Tom Edwards and James Stanford who's pace surprised SJB's defence and resulted in a good save from the SJB keeper. The danger signals went unnoticed as on the same move a few moments later - Sutton burst our of defence to attack an gain a short corner. Nick Holmes claiming the goal as it took a deflection off an SJB defender.

    The goal seemed to settle Sutton further as Ball possession started to be retained. An excellent move from the right hand side with Al Carter slotting the ball to Tom Edwards who drove down the baseline and slipping the ball to James Stanford on the P Spot who swept the ball into the goal. Text book stuff which took the stuffing out of SJB who realised this was going to be a difficult game.

    A lack of defence marking saw SJB pull back a goal but Sutton stuck to their game plan with a 4-4-2 formation. Max Ife worked hard with Sutton defence, distributed the ball well to the halves and supporting the attacks. Ben Gallafant and George Thomas made some great tackles at important moments. Phil Beech used his speed to cover any break outs. Will Aldridge continued to prove his keeping ability always making great saves when needed.

    The mid-field engine with Al Carter and Nick Holmes controlled the whole pace of the game. Both players distributed the ball to the wing half's or the forwards and then supported the pass. Josh Luckhurst settled in well for his first team appearance on the left half. Josh made some great runs, worked hard to pick up a player in defence and improved through out the game. Similarly on the right, Josh Davies and Danny Armstrong never let the team down in attack and defence. Danny made some excellent cross ball shots into the D.

    A third well deserved goal came from Captain Al Carter just before the half time whistle. In the second half, Sutton wanted to push ahead but SJB must have had a good 1/2 time talk as they started to push forward rather than play defensively. Sutton were lucky that all the shots on goal just missed. However, on a 16 yard hit, Max Ife rifled a ball out of defence and picked out Tom Edwards 75 yards up the pitch. Tom expertly pushed the ball away from his defender and drove in to the D. His shot left the keeper with no chance and the ball smashed in to the back board. 4-1 to Sutton. As the game wore on, Sutton started to dominate as SJB tired. Most of the play occurred in SJB's half and Sutton should have scored a few more.

    A great result and a good team effort. Well done to everyone - 100% winning run continues......

    Team
    Will Aldridge (keeper), Defence - Ben Gallafant, Max Ife, Phil Beech, George Thomas, Mid field - Jack Davis, Nick Holmes, Al Carter (Capt.), Josh Luckhurst, Danny Armstrong, Forwards - Tom Edwards, James Stanford.