Match Reports 17 November 2007
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- Fixture
- Worthing, 17 November 2007
- Result
- 4 - 2 LOSS ( C Back, A Turnill )
- Venue
- Report
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Sutton Valence made the long trip to Worthing without five regulars and so had to travel with only eleven players. This was going to make life very difficult from the outset and so it proved when Worthing opened the scoring early on from close range. Valence did not let their heads drop and slowly came to life. Valence equalised from the penalty spot through skipper Chris Back after an infringement on the goal line. This spurred Valence on to bigger and better things as they took the lead through an Andy Turnill drag flick from a penalty corner. Worthing came out in the second half and were soon level after a mix up in the Valence defence. Valence were now tiring and Worthing seized the opportunity to take the lead and then go further ahead leaving Valence with a mountain to climb. This was not to come due to some tired legs but Valence can hold their heads high after a spirited performance with a weakened team against the second placed side in the league.
Valence now have three crucial games going into Christmas with teams very close to them in the league standings starting with Tunbridge Wells at home next Saturday.
- Team
- Croucher, Parker, Back.C, Back.S, Fraser, Lampp, Morgan, Mitchell, Angel, Turnill, McVarish.
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- Fixture
- Tunbridge Wells, 17 November 2007
- Result
- 2 - 0 WIN ( N Holmes, N Poulter )
- Venue
- Home
- Report
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It was a cold, wintery evening start under floodlights on top of Sutton Valence hill where the Valence second team were looking for their first win against Tunbridge Wells 2nds. With subs available and players back into the side Valence went out confident and strong against the young T-Wells side holding possession well and controlling the midfield, barely letting them into our half. Valence also went forward well and ringed the numerous hits out from defense very effectively pinning their defense back and constantly testing them. It was a result of this and the winning of a short corner that we managed to take the lead with Ben Tragett putting the ball across to be knocked in by Nick Holmes.
At half time Valence’s team were not going to be complacent about the one goal lead. Although Valence had had the lions share of the attacks and goal keeper Al Burt had only needed to pull out one save, Valence had not capitalised on their attacks as much as they would have liked and also the knowledge that T-Wells could easily get one back on a counter if there was lapse in concentration.
As expected, T-Wells came out well in the second half knowing that some of the older Valence chaps might be starting to tire. They proceeded to win a short corner which was drag flicked at pace off the post and back into play. Slowly Valence began to gain more possession again and much of the action was back in T Wells' half with some pacy runs and fine dribbling from Nat Poulter and Ben Lewell. These passages of play were supported well by the cool headed defense bolstered by a good performance from Nick Worsfold who mopped up well in spite of his big hair.
After more attacking Valence won a short corner where they were not going to throw away the chance of a goal. A routine was used effectively and the ball was calmly passed by the onrushing keeper by Captain Andrew Lee for Nat Poulter to smack onto the backboard and get a well deserved Valence goal. Valence held firm and kept applying the pressure until the final whistle was sounded.
- Team
- Burt, Hoffman, Worsfold, Beach, Edmed, Lee, Bartlett, Holmes, Poulter, Traggett, Clarke, B. Lewell, E. Lewell
- MoM
- N Poulter
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- Fixture
- Burnt Ash, 17 November 2007
- Result
- 3 - 1 WIN ( M Leader 2, C Atkins )
- Venue
- Home
- Report
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Sutton Valence keen to forget last weeks defeat were back to their normal squad and started the game strongly, with some good passing and forward flowing moves, but Burnt Ash were a team mixed with youth and experience and were able to produce moves on their own that put pressure on Valences defence. It was Valence who stuck first with Mark Leader cutting through the Burnt Ash defence and firing a crisp shot into the goal. Valence we're glad to have scored first but trouble struck soon after as injuries to Hamish Dow (knee) and Josh Davies (ankle) meant they'd have to spend the rest of the game supping beer by the fire in the Queens while the rest of the team soldiered on. Luckily there were subs available but the change in positions for some places upset the formation and Burnt Ash were able to sneak their way through and get an equaliser.
The second half saw more possession in Valence's favour and after some strong, commanding play by Max Ife the ball was shelled into the D for Callum Atkins to get a fine touch to send the ball flying into the top corner. Burnt Ash started to dig in and some well worked short corners and attacking plays forced goalkeeper Ben Croucher to make some stunning saves but it was Valence who ended up scoring the last goal of the game, a well practiced short corner came up trumps for Mark Leader as he got his second of the game.
Top of the table clash next week to look forward to, get well soon Hamish and Josh!
- Team
- Ben Croucher Rob Ife; James Willmot; Josh Davies; Hamish Dow; Will Fuller; Phil Beech; Mark Leader; Max Ife; Ed Lewell; Chris Stille; Bert Bouwens; Callum Atkens
- MoM
- Max Ife
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- Fixture
- Tunbridge Wells, 17 November 2007
- Result
- 6 - 2 WIN ( C Henderson 4, S Davies, D Thompson )
- Venue
- Away
- Report
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This week the 4th team were away at a chilly Hawkenbury astro against the in form Tunbridge Wells. The opposition looked more like a rugby team with at least 5 players who could have made useful prop forwards so they knew they were in for a tough physical game.
The opening exchanges of the game produced chances at either end, with both keepers having to make good saves to keep the scores level. Valence went in front when Gary Hagon’s shot hit a Wells foot on the line and Darren Thompson stepped up to coolly convert the resulting penalty flick. Minutes later Valence went further ahead when Chad Henderson dived full length to deflect Ben Grabham’s cross past the keeper, he then scored another by losing his limpet like marker and converting Simon Davies’ pin point cross to make the half time score 3-0 to the visitors.
In the second half it was clear that Wells were not going down without a fight and they pushed forward in numbers looking to get back in the game. Simon Davis had other ideas losing his marker and running half the length of the pitch (to cries of “go Porkchop go!!”) to score a great solo goal, then again Davies was dangerous on the right flank this time crossing the ball to Henderson to help complete his hat-trick and put Valence 5-0 up with 15 minutes left and looking comfortable.
Tunbridge Wells then scored two goals in quick succession after Valence took their foot off the gas somewhat scoring one from a short corner and another from open play to save themselves some pride, but pushing for a 3rd they left Chad Henderson unmarked and when Thompson slipped the ball to him on the half way line he found him self with just the keeper to beat, the keeper closed down well to save his initial shot but Henderson followed up clipping the ball over the keeper and into the goal to make the final score 6-2 to a delighted Valence team.
Captains thoughts O the day
This match was played in good spirit by both sides and contained a lot of good hockey, the youngsters (Muir, Barton and Gallaphant) did especially well against physical opposition. Goalie Rob Sharp wasn’t especially busy but managed to pull off some very useful saves keeping making sure Valence were always in control and as always the defence worked very hard.
Thanks to both umpires for making the game a pleasure to play in and thanks to Tunbridge wells for being sporting in defeat and supplying some very nice chunky post match sandwiches!!!
- Team
- Rob Sharp, Kyle Henderson, Rob Harrison,Ben Grabham, Chad Henderson, Gary Hagon, Darren Thompson Simon Davies, Gareth Davies, Ben Gallaphant, Dougie Muir, Phil Barton
- MoM
- Chad Henderson
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- Fixture
- Ashford, 17 November 2007
- Result
- 5 - 2 WIN ( J Davies 2, D Grace, N Hall, D Armstrong )
- Venue
- Home
- Report
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The match started cautiously. Sutton Valence were playing people in new positions and the Ashford side comprised many juniors. Ashford had the majority of attacks in the first half but Valence created the better chances and eventually took the lead with a Nick Hall tap in on the goal line.
After the break, the home side started to move the ball more productively. The second goal came again from good work on the by line and Danny Grace stroked the ball home. Ashford responded and pulled as goal back from a well struck short corner. Valence moved ahead as Jack Davies latched onto a great diagonal ball from Bob Sagrott and struck a fierce shot past the keeper from the edge of the D. Typically, as the game wore on attacks were more frequent at both ends. Ashford pegged one more goal back with an acute flick from a penalty corner. Suddenly though the Valance attack found more space and pace and two further goals followed in quick succession.
The whole team played well. Phil Barton and Bob Sagrott controlled the midfield well but the star player was Jack Davies, who created chances on the right, scored the best goal of the game and often tracked back to defend when necessary.
- Team
- Rob Sharp, Dougie Muir, Mike Nettle, Iain Simmons, Nick Hall, Bob Sagrott, Danny Grace, Mark Townsend, Dan Armstrong, Philip Barton, Jack Davies, Umpire: Phil Higgins
- MoM
- Jack Davies
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- Fixture
- Crackenford, 17 November 2007
- Result
- 3 - 1 WIN ( S Lacey, A Kish, S Simmons )
- Venue
- Away
- Report
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With a new formation this week Valence started well. With much of the attacking play it only took a matter of minutes for Valence to score their first goal which occurred from a quick run and tap in from Sarah Lacey up front.
The game continued with Valence dominating the play in attack and defence. This allowed some fantastic attacking play from not only the Valence attackers, but also the defenders. The new formation allowed Nicola Leggatt and Georgie Pares to work together in midfield setting up some fantastic opportunities for Valence to score.
The second goal came from a cross which a well-positioned Sophie Simmons accurately swept home for a 2-0 lead. The third goal came at the end of the first half and Anna Kish battled hard to put Valence ahead by 3-0 going into the second half.
The second half was a different kettle of fish for Valence. Crackenford came out with a very different attitude and the Valence defence were persitently put under a significant amount of pressure. With several near misses from Crackenford Valence were lucky to only let in one goal before the final whistle blew.
- Team
- Natalie Higginson, Caroline Lawton, Nicola Leggat, Zoe Wright, Emma Donkersley (c), Riona Evenden, Georgie Pares, Sarah Lacey, Lauren Dewart, Anna Kish, Sophie Simmons, Carol Hazleton
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- Fixture
- Brom & Becks, 17 November 2007
- Result
- 2 – 0 WIN ( S Garner, M Turner )
- Venue
- Home
- Report
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This week the Russets produced a very convincing performance at home against top of the table Broms & Becks. From start to finish Russets dominated the game and had the lion’s share of possession. The team meshed together extremely well this week with accurate passing and strong tackling throughout the side.
Emily Bush was outstanding in midfield, breaking up Broms’ possession and instigating countless attacks. This was reflected by the number of short corners awarded to the home side. During one attack just before half time Sophie Garner found herself with time and space in the D and beat the keeper with a precise shot to give us a 1-0 lead.
Russets continued to dominate in the second half with Mel Russell-Vick going close on several occasions. Nicky Andrews and Emma Dickenson were solid in defence repelling the occasional Broms counterattack. Morgan Neale drove through the midfield with pace before supplying Margaret Turner, who slammed the ball home to make it 2-0. Just before the end of the game an Emily Sullivan strike went high into the net. Unfortunately for Emily, the goal was (correctly) disallowed because it was the first shot from a penalty corner and was deemed too high.
This was the best team performance of the season by far with all members of the squad contributing. Hopefully we will build on this display in the weeks to come.
- Team
- Anne Tipples, Claire Matthews, Carol Turner, Nicola Andrews, Amelia Shaw, Emma Dickenson, Liz Talbot, Emily Sullivan, Morgan Neale, Emily Bush, Margaret Turner, Sophie Garner, Mel Russell-Vick, Jane Bishop. Umpire: Lindsay Hancox
- MoM
- Sophie Garner
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- Fixture
- Epsom, 17 November 2007
- Result
- 1 - 5 LOSS ( R Evans )
- Venue
- Away
- Report
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A Sutton Valence side, weakened by absenteism and injury, took only 10 players and no umpire, this including Mike Nettle who had already played in the morning and a player on loan from Cobdown Special thanks to those two). The opposition nobly loaned us a player, and although he turned out to be 74 years old, he did not let us down !
The Epsom side demonstrated good team hockey and in short, we were outplayed. Sutton Valence worked hard and did create chances but, as is not uncommon, failed to convert.
Even the most hardened cynic would be hard pressed to blame the result on the weather.
- Team
- Dave Britten, Gray Smith-Laing, Phil Higgins, John Knight, Ken Short (Cobdown), Steve Mole, Henry Humphrey, Charlie Worsfold, Richard Evans, Mike Nettle.