Match Reports 02 February 2008

  • First Team

    Fixture
    Marden, 02 February 2008
    Result
    1 - 0 WIN ( T Willson )
    Venue
    Home
    Report

    Sutton Valence looked to continue a recent good run of form with the visit of Marden on Saturday and a full strength team was confident going into the Match. The visitors started brighter and had a good period of possession in the first ten minutes. Valences’ first chance came through a short corner which Andy Turnill executed well, only for the ball to be stopped via the face of a Marden defender on the line, unfortunately only a long corner was given on this occasion.

    Marden had some clearer chances but seemed to freeze when one on one with the Valence keeper, maybe this could be put down to nerves rather than lack of ability. As the first half progressed Valence got stronger and Marden seemed to be waiting for the umpire to help them rather than wanting a physical battle.

    At half time Valence knew that they hadn’t played their best but that Marden had probably played to their potential it seemed that Valence would break through if their game improved.

    The second half continued in a physical manner and it was hardly Hockey for the purist. Half way through the second half Marden began to look weary and spaces began to open up for Valence . Chris Johnson began to get space on the right and use it well and the midfield battle turned in favour of Valence . Tom Willson finally exploited the tiredness with a fine solo run and finish that left Marden stunned – in fact Willson himself was stunned by the room that had opened in from of him. To their credit Marden battled on and created further chances, Steve Back made a stunning goal line clearance and a final Marden short corner was to be their final chance to get something from their day out.

    Valence held out for 1-0 win, this ensured 6 valuable points from Marden this season and two great battling games; let’s hope Marden stay up this season.

    Team
    Croucher (GK), S Back, C Back (Capt), Johnson, Worsfold, Bray, Morgan, Lampp (Coach), Angel, Mitchell, Turnill, Willson, Fraser

  • Second Team

    Fixture
    Eastbourne, 02 February 2008
    Result
    0 - 1 LOSS
    Venue
    Away
    Report

    Sutton Valence 2nd team went to Eastbourne ready to play after watching the first team beat Marden.

    The game started with Eastbourne on the front foot, creating a number of good moves and flowing hockey. However early on it appeared that the Valence defence of General Parker, the experienced McVarish and the young pretender Turnill would be more than a match. A couple of early chances were dealt with by the impressive Al Burt.

    Most of the first half was played in the midfield with both teams struggling to break the stalemate. Coming up to half time the Eastbourne 20 was booked for reacting angrily after running into the increasingly ‘stacked’ Turnill on the route back to full fitness. Valence kept their cool and created a number of opportunities, the sole striker Andy Devlin doing a good job but unable to break the dead lock.

    The visitors continued to attack but were unable to convert a number of short corners, the big Eastbourne keeper proving unbeatable.

    Half time came and went and the ever inspirational Captain Fantastic offered a morale boosting talk before the second half started in much the same style as the first, Eastbourne pushing forward with numbers, their midfield making the difference. Their sustained pressure was rewarded with a goal although John Edmed complained he was pushed out the way by the 5ft Eastbourne number 20. The little man had made amends for his earlier hissy fit and put Eastbourne in front.

    More Eastbourne pressure lead to an undercut shot striking number 20 on the rear (oh what a shame). The whistle blew and Valence played on until the Eastbourne umpire realised Valence might have caught Eastbourne unaware and pulled play back claiming he hadn’t started his stopwatch! I am still shocked as I write this but soon to be Daddy Captain Fantastic then decided to compliment his earlier green card with a yellow, for dissent!? (Can you believe it)????

    Unfortunately there was to be no more drama, the match ended 1 nil to Eastbourne 3rds (or do I mean 2nds)?? Either way I am sure Eastbourne celebrated their first win of the season hard and if they continue to play that way all season I am sure they will progress from rock bottom of the league.

    Next week the 2’s entertain Brighton at home. With 1 point from 2 consecutive away games Valence know they must do better against Brighton.

    Team
    A Burt, R Turnill, S Parker, A McVarish, J Edmed, B Bartlett, B Tragett, A Devlin, F McVarish, A Lee, C Atkins, L Mitchell
    MoM
    Steve Parker

  • Fourth Team

    Fixture
    Old Bordenians, 02 February 2008
    Result
    1 - 2 LOSS ( S Davies )
    Venue
    Home
    Report

    The 4th team entered the game at the top of the league, and were keen to maintain their position with another 3 points against Old Bordenians. There have been some entertaining games between the sides over the years, and Valence had a good record against them. The team went into the game confident of a result. The game started, and each team enjoyed several attempts on goal. Both keepers were kept busy, with saves being made at each end. Old Bordenians took the lead when a good attacking move was finished well by the striker. They then doubled their advantage when a short corner was conceded, and the ball was drag flicked into the top right hand corner. A very good goal, especially as you hardly see players capable of doing that at this level. Valence could not get their game together, as Old Bordenians defended well, and won all of the 50-50 balls.

    At half time Valence knew they had to play a lot better to get back into the game. The team had underperformed, and everyone knew it. When the game resumed, Valence still could not get their game going. The game had to be stopped at one point as tempers got the better of several players. After this stoppage, Valence suddenly started to play, and began to put pressure on the Old Bords defence. The pressure mounted, and despite several great saves by the keeper, Simon Davies found the back of the net striking the ball from the top of the D. Valence continued to push for an equaliser, but despite having several chances, could not get the goal they required. The clock finally beat them, and Valence had to accept a second home defeat of the season.

    Credit to the Old Bordenians side, the keeper had a great game, and the whole team played well, and deserved the 3 points. Valence will need to play better, when they visit the University of Kent next week.

    Team
    Will Aldridge, Ben Galaphant, Rob Harrison, Kyle Henderson, Gareth Davies, Ben Grabham, Darren Thompson, Chad Henderson, Simon Davies, Jack Davies, Rupert Humphrey, Dan Mansfield
    MoM
    Gareth Davies

  • Fifth Team

    Fixture
    Holcombe, 02 February 2008
    Result
    1 - 3 LOSS ( D Grace )
    Venue
    Home
    Report

    Valence started the match well and, after some early attacks by Holcombe, pressed forward. Both sides were losing possession in midfield at regular intervals but the home side started to put more passes together and scored the first goal through a Danny Grace tap in. As half time approached, the whole team seemed to switch off and Holcombe scored two quick goals.

    Holcombe scored soon in the second half and although Valence tried to move the ball around the fluency of the first period could not be reestablished and the match drifted towards its end with very few clear chances on goal being created.

    This was a strange match. The team usually get stronger as the game progresses. One of the players to hit his true potential was James Abrahams who justly was the man of the match. Rob Sharp made several good saves but was left exposed by the defence on several occasions. Cliftonville next week will be a stiff challenge and the team will need to lift the energy level to get back to a winning way.

    Team
    Rob Sharp, Dan Armstrong, Iain Simmons, Mike Nettle, Nick Hall, James Abrahams, Bob Sagrott, Danny Grace, Nick Gray, David Barton, Phil Barton, Phil Bramall. Umpire: Richard Ashness
    MoM
    James Abrahams

  • Sutton Russets

    Fixture
    Greenwich Polygons, 02 February 2008
    Result
    0 – 1 LOSS
    Venue
    0 – 1 LOSS
    Report

    This week’s game was a closely fought match in which the Russets struggled due to missing a few of their key players. Greenwich was much faster on the ball which allowed them the opportunity to score in the first half. The Russets began to tire in the second half as Greenwich gained the upper hand leading to most of the play being in the Russets’ defensive quarter of the pitch.

    Player of the Match Carol Turner was outstanding as sweeper; her tackling was flawless and accurate as she ensured any Greenwich advances in the circle were kept at bay. Nicola Andrews and Amelia Shaw also worked especially well together in defence. Although our attacking opportunities were few and far between, the Russets defence line worked tirelessly to ensure the goal difference was kept to a minimum.

    Team
    Liz Talbot, Carol Turner, Amelia Shaw, Zoe Wright, Nicola Andrews, Emily Bush, Emily Sullivan, Morgan Neale, Sophie Garner, Jane Bishop, Margaret Turner. Umpire: Peter Davies
    MoM
    Carol Turner

  • Veterans Team

    Fixture
    Tunbridge Wells, 02 February 2008
    Result
    5 - 1 WIN ( S Bates 3, C Worsfold, P Linaker )
    Venue
    Report

    Sutton Valence play Tunbridge Wells three times each season with a Plate at stake. This was only introduced last season, when Valence won two out of the three. This season Tunbridge Wells took the first two matches, beating Valence on their home astro 1:6 in October and then on the grass at the Nevill Ground 4:2. With the Plate already lost, this game was the chance for Valence to re-establish some credibility.

    In the early stages the honours were divided pretty evenly as both teams built promising attacking moves, but gradually Valence began to achieve the more sustained dominance. The Valence defence team comprising David Barton, Bob King, Gray Smith-Laing and Nick Willson supported each other well in cutting out the more dangerous Wells advances, whilst the midfielders, Paul Linaker, Stuart Bates, Henry Humphrey, John Knight and Steve Mole picked up and distributed the ball well to the two front runners, Richard Evans and Charles Worsfold, as well as joining them in the attack. Valence’s combined effort eventually led to the winning of a couple of short corners from one of which Stuart Bates second strike was just too strong for a Wells’ defender to stop on the line, and it spun over.

    As expected, at the beginning of the second half Tunbridge Wells came out strongly trying to get back on terms, but Valence, gave no quarter and went back on the attack themselves. In one of these Stuart Bates picked up his second goal with an under-hit shot, the lack of speed of which clearly foxed the keeper! Shortly after this, following a bit of chat between the Wells’ defence, a ball was hit back towards their goal by one of their players, catching their full backs out of position and Charles Worsfold in the ideal place to collect and calmly slip it past the stranded keeper.

    It was not over yet, with more Valence near misses and short corners – particularly one rocket from Bob King and then in yet another scramble in the dee the ball fell to Paul Linaker to clip between the legs of a defender on the line.

    Though clearly the game was lost by Tunbridge Wells they did not give up and after some serious pressure on the Valence goal were justly rewarded with a conversion.

    Next week Sutton Valence Vets have no Saturday game, but are playing Cliftonville in the Reeves & Neylan Vets Cup on Sunday at St Lawrence College, Ramsgate at 1.00. Their next Saturday game is on the 16th Feb when they play Canterbury away at The Polo Ground at 12.45, one up in their trio of matches; this is the day before Paul Linaker celebrates claiming his 71 shirt.

    Team
    Dave Britton; David Barton; John Knight; Gray Smith-Laing; Bob King; Steve Mole; Stuart Bates; Nick Willson; Paul Linaker; Henry Humphrey; Charles Worsfold; Richard Evans. Umpires: Richard Ashness; Bob Sagrott (part) / Nick Willson (part)
    MoM
    Stuart Bates