Match Reports 1 December 2007

  • First Team

    Fixture
    Eastbourne, 1 December 2007
    Result
    2 - 4 LOSS ( A Turnill, C Back )
    Venue
    Away
    Report

    Sutton Valence travelled to Eastbo¬¬urne keen to extend on their recent strong performances, against a team that have always proved a strong challenge. Before the game began, one SV player remarked on how he had never played at Eastbourne in the sunshine and at the toss keeper Croucher selected the near end so the sun was not in his eyes – hindsight soon showed he need not have worried.

    The game began at a good pace with SV controlling the ball and showing their attacking intentions, soon the attacking play led to a foul in the D and the ensuing short corner was dragged high into the goal by Turnill leaving the goalie no chance.

    At the restart, not only did Eastbourne begin to enjoy more posession but the weather decided that Eastbourne had had too much sun for an SV fixture and soon the usual sheet rain was beating down only stopping when it was replaced by hail. Soon Eastbourne had levelled score, and not long after took the lead. SV players began to be on the receiving end on some nasty challenges, but some what strangely it was an SV player that received the games first yellow trying to calm down a situation. However with 10 men SV continued to pressure the oppositions goal, Back levelled for the visitors from the flick spot after Johnson was impeded from an easy LBZ goal. A damp half time team talk was taken with the scores level at 2-2.

    The 2nd half began like the 1st with SV pressurising the opponents goal with the Eastbourne keeper denying the visitors the lead. Piling the pressure on, Eastbourne were forced into some desperate challenging which soon led to them being down to 10 men and shortly after 9. Valence saw their opportunity and pushed forward, unfortunately it was from one such attack that Eastbourne took the lead, SV over-committed and were caught on the counter attack. SV attacked again from the restart keen not to leave without the point/s they deserved. A Johnson cross was cleared by the Eastbourne goalie, SV set for the long corner – not realising the umpire had signaled for an opposition ball – the sideline hit was taken quickly and the long ball was finished clinically leaving Croucher no chance.

    SV left eastbourne damp and annoyed with themselves for losing a game that was theirs to win.

    Team
    Croucher, S. Back, Willson, Worsfold, Bray, C. Back, Morgan, Angel, Johnson, Turnill, Lampp, Fraser, Posnette

  • Second Team

    Fixture
    Folkestone, 1 December 2007
    Result
    2 – 0 WIN ( B Bartlett, L Mitchell )
    Venue
    Home
    Report

    Sutton Valence second team faced an inform Folkestone 3rds who were only two places below Valence in the league tables. Folkestone were in a confident mood on arrival after beating fellow sea-siders Eastbourne 4 – 3 last week and were looking to take home another three points.

    The game started with only half of the lights available with Folkestone using this to their advantage, as Valence seem to be chasing shadows for the first ten minutes. Valence started to settle down and find some of their creative skills. Nat Poulter was continuously causing problems for the Folkestone defence, making some fine solo runs. With the momentum now with the home side, Valence were retaining much of the ball possession deep into the Folkestone half. It wasn’t until the 30 minute mark that Valence opened the scoring, with Bob Bartlett pouncing on a free ball in the attacking zone and fired home a trade mark reverse stick shot, with the keeper this time unable to get his toe to it. The score line remained one nil at the break.

    After a strong half time team talk Valence started the second half by winning a short corner but were unable to capitalise due to the ever resilient Folkestone defence. With Valence’s forward line becoming rather stagnant and simply running out of ideas on how to unlock the Folkestone defence, an inspiring tactical substitution of James Clarke and Ben Lewell changed the game to the favour of Valence. A fine piece of skill from Ben Lewell resulted in a free hit, just outside of the attacking zone. Captain Andrew Lee precisely delivered the finest of passes to an on rushing Lewis Mitchell who slotted home his first ever goal to make the score two nil. Folkestone were still in no mood to give up and were starting to create a number of good chances after the restart but the old guard of Ife, McVarish and Parker stood firm and kept another clean sheet for the season.

    The score remained two nil to Valence but a number of good chances fell in the final five minutes to the forward line of Ben Tragett and Freddy ‘Mcfly’ McVarish, with neither of them able to hit the target but a fine collage of excuses was produced on how none of the misses were their fault in a very Andy Turnstile / Tom Willson mannor.

    On refection this was a very tight game and on another day Folkestone could have easily taken away all three points. A good team performance from the old guard defence to the youthful forwards line resulted in a well contested hard win. Valence will entertain new comers to the league South Saxons which will be another hard game.

    Team
    A Burt, A. McVarish, S Parker, R Ife, J Edmed, A Lee, B Lewell, L Mitchell, N Poulter, B Traggett, F McVarish, J Clarke, B Bartlett.
    MoM
    B Lewell

  • Fourth Team

    Fixture
    Wellcome Unicorns, 1 December 2007
    Result
    3 - 3 DRAW ( C Henderson, T Laing, D Grace )
    Venue
    Away
    Report

    This week the Sutton Valence 4th team made the trip to Swanscombe, to play the Wellcome Unicorns in a friendly, as there were no league games scheduled for either side. The game started quickly with both sides enjoying lots of possession. A short corner was won by Valence 10 minutes in, and Chad Henderson was on hand to put in a rebound after the goalkeeper saved Rupert Humphrey’s initial strike. Wellcome came back into it, and 5 minutes later got an equaliser. Wellcome should have taken the lead before the break, but did not make the most of their chances.

    The second half didn’t start as Valence would have liked, when Wellcome scored their second less than 5 minutes into the half. Valence pressed for an equaliser, and Terry Laing converted his chance well. Valence then thought they could go on and win it. Some good attacking play saw Danny Grace score to make it 3 – 2. But Wellcome again came back strongly, and got a deserved equaliser.

    Team
    Will Aldridge, Gareth Davies, Kyle Henderson, Nick Hall, Danny Grace, Ben Grabham, Chad Henderson, Ben Galaphant, Simon Davies, Terry Laing, Rupert Humphrey

  • U16 Boys

    Fixture
    Old Williamsonians, 2 December 2007
    Result
    5 - 0 WIN ( C Harrison 2, S Courtley 2 )
    Report

    In driving rain and gale force winds SVHC U16 boys met Old Wills for their Kent League match. Both teams and the spectators, looked as if they would rather be doing the pre-Xmas shopping than a game of hockey. Certainly doing a warm-up was difficult as players were drenched and rather cold even before the game started. However, from the start both teams set about getting used to the conditions and it wasn't long before the game looked like it was going to be an even contest. Sutton soon started to play some good hockey with passing moves between the wingers, James Watkins and Chris Harrison, and the center halves, Max Ife (Capt) and Chigi Patel. Old Wills defenders coped well and on the break Old Wills also made good attacking moves.

    Sutton started to apply more pressure with the defenders supporting attack so that any clearance from Old Wills was not getting in the SV's half. Sutton's, Chris Harrison scored the first goal supporting an attacking move up the right which allowed him to sweep the ball into the goal. This seemed to spur SV on and a great goal from Sam Courtley following a peach of a pass from James Watkins, saw the ball rocket into the top of the net for Sutton's second. Old Wills fought back and Sutton had to defend a number of attacks and short corners but after 10 minutes of pressure, Sutton's mid-field, Max Ife and Chigi Patel, retook command of the center of the pitch. Sam Courtley scored his third to make it 3-0 at half time.

    The second half was similar to the first but with more rain and wind! Old Wills started to slow and Sutton seemed to have all the ball. Any Old Wills attacks were closed down very quickly by Phil Beech, Dougie Muir and Ben Gallafant and Sutton started to get frustrated by Old Wills packing out the D as they defended superbly. Chris Harrison scored his second to make it 4-0 and then a good move and shot saw the fifth goal swept in by an Old Wills defender. Final whistle and 5-0 to SVHC as they continue their unbeaten run with 29 goals for, and 0 goals scored against them. Everyone played well in hard conditions.