Match Reports 19 January 2008

  • First Team

    Fixture
    Horsham, 19 January 2008
    Result
    1 - 0 WIN ( N Lampp )
    Venue
    Home
    Report

    Sutton Valence Mens 1st XI opened their points account for the new year with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the visiting Horsham, a result leaving Valence 8th in the Kent-Sussex Regional Division.

    Valence started the more positive and retained possession and territorial advantage for long periods. A succession of penalty-corners resulted and it was only Valence’s disappointing form from these set pieces that prevented them from taking the lead. And having failed to take these opportunities whilst on top, Valence were then in danger of going behind as Horsham came into the game and created chances of their own. Horsham’s own penalty-corners were on target but found Valence keeper Lee Croucher in good form as he made several fine saves: quite literally taking one on the chin! So with defences holding firm and attacking forces misfiring on both sides, the deadlock remained unbroken to the break.

    Into the second-half, and more of the same was to follow: Valence ahead in possession and territory statistics, Horsham restricted to penalty-corners as their only threat. After ten minutes of the restart, it seemed certain Valence would at last take a deserved lead when midfielder Chris Back came off the bench to break through the Horsham defence and round the onrushing keeper, only to see his effort cleared off the line. But their anguish was not to last much longer as minutes later and Valence were ahead: a Nick Lampp penalty-corner effort – whilst not a fearsome strike – having the accuracy to find the corner of the goal.

    It was then a nervous remainder to the game for Valence as they failed to increase their lead and saw Horsham creating several opportunities, including a lob over Croucher from a break-away only narrowly failing to drop under the crossbar. But 1-0 it remained and Valence can be pleased with a clean-sheet providing the platform for victory and the 3 points.

    Valence visit table-topping Ashford this coming week with a view to avenging the earlier league fixture from 2007.


    Fixture
    Wellcome (Kent Cup Plate), 20 January 2008
    Result
    14 - 0 WIN ( A Turnill 5, R Bray 2, A Carter 2, N Lampp 2, C Back, S Back, C Johnson )
    Venue
    Away
    Report

    Sutton Valence made the short trip to Dartford to take on Wellcome in the Kent Cup plate on Sunday morning and came away with what can only be described as a comfortable victory. Valence playing a few younger players from the squad took the lead after only 30 seconds when Chris Back robbed the Wellcome centre half from the push back and drove into the D to then unselfishly lay the ball to Turnill to tap in for the first of his five goals.

    The score was at half time was 9 – 0 with Bray, Lampp and Carter all getting on the score sheet. The second half followed the first as Valence were constantly attacking and Wellcome having the odd break away which were countered by Steve Back, Josh Davies on debut and Diki Turnill. Valece managed to score a further 5 goals by the final whistle with Chris Back finally getting his reward after gaining 9 assists with a goal of his own.

    Just before the final whistle the whole crowd fell silent as centre back, Steve Back made his way forward from the defence with purpose and after being presented with the ball at the top of the D finished into the bottom corner as if he were a £15 million striker to make the final score 14 – 0.

    Team
    Sharp, Johnson, Davies, S.Back, R.Turnill, Lampp, C.Back, Carter, Lewell, A.Turnill, Bray, Mitchell

  • Second Team

    Fixture
    Horsham, 19 January 2008
    Result
    3 - 3 DRAW ( A Devlin 2, F McVarish )
    Venue
    Away
    Report

    Sutton Valence 2nd team went to Horsham with high expectations after last weeks demolition of Herne Bay. The game started well with Valence, creating a number of good moves and flowing hockey. However early on it appeared that the Valence defence might struggle against the skillful and pacey Horsham frontline.

    With ten minutes gone Horsham broke from midfield and won a short corner, this opportunity was well taken. 1 nil Horsham. This served only as a needed wake up call for Valence who then proceeded to take control and spent the remaining period of the first half in the Horsham half of the pitch. Inspirational captain and leader Andrew Lee pushed the match forward and soon Valence were level through Devlin.

    The Valence pressure continued with the impressive Valence defence of Parker, McVarish Snr and Turnill repelling any Horsham attacks. The visitors continued to attack but were unable to convert a number of short corners. Even when Valence played their trump card, an emphatic Turnill drag flick this was not enough to beat the athletic Horsham keeper who was keeping them in the game at that point. Eventually the sustained Valence pressure paid off and McVarish Jnr converted. 2-1 to the visitors at half time. Constructive words from player-manager Bob Bartlett and Valence started the second half determined to claim their first away win at Horsham. The villagers can feel a little hard done by as an interesting umpiring decision led to Horsham drawing level.

    Determined not to fold Valence fought hard and eventually regained the lead through Devlin, who provided a good outlet all match and worked hard with McFly and Lewel. Unfortunately Horsham were not willing to let Valence drive home with all three points. Another slickly converted short corner drew the scores level at 3-3. A big thank you has to go to the Horsham forward who duffed his shot after Captain Fantastic gave him a very sympathetic pass on the top of the Valence D with 30 seconds to go.

    Team
    A Burt, R Turnill, S Parker, A McVarish, J Edmed, B Bartlett, B Tragett, A Devlin, F McVarish, A Lee, A Lewell, L Mitchell
    MoM
    Fred ‘McFly’ McVarish

  • Third Team

    Fixture
    Holcombe, 19 January 2008
    Result
    2 - 1 WIN ( M Leader, J Clarke )
    Venue
    Away
    Report

    Valence travelled away this week to Holcombe, good friends of ours from the last match, before Christmas. Bert managed to be late again, leaving us down to 10 men, eventually turning up about 15 minutes into the match. Valence had most of the possession in the first 20 and the midfield dynamos Bleader and Josh Davies held the centre of the park with excellence. After entering the game late, Bert had a lucky touch in front of the goal, which the Holcombe central defender blatantly stopped with his foot on the goal line, therefore causing a penalty stroke. Bleader stepped up to the mark (sorry for the pun) and confidently slotted the penalty into the bottom corner, putting Valence into the lead half way through the first half.

    Valence kept the pressure up after the goal, and some speedy and piercing runs down the right wing by Chris Stille, leaving their left back for dust, made some close chances, but the forwards couldn’t quite convert them. Valence went into the break 1-0 up and pleased with their performance, another inspiring team talk from kept heads high.

    Leading into the second half gave valence confidence and about 5 minutes in the forwards had a good passage of play and a strike from James Clarke ended up in the back of the net. Valence led 2-0 and valence kept the pressure up, not letting up due to the lead. Again, Bert managed to miss a shocker in the goal mouth. A counter attack from Holcombe ended in a short corner, the first we had conceded all game. First shot saved by Sharpy, and then a sneaky flick got an equaliser for Holcombe. Last 15 and the defence and midfield were doing well to keep the Holcombe out of our D and scoring that vital goal. Last 5 and valence began to panic, but we managed to keep the lead to the end.

    A well deserved win for the 3rd’s and with some lovely sausages after the match that almost rival Barry’s quality in the Queens.

    Team
    Rob Sharp, Will Hoffman, Phil Beech, Ben Grabham, Josh Davies, Mark Leader, Chris Stille, Alex McCrea, Will Fuller, Bert Bouwens, James Clarke
    MoM
    Chris Stille

  • Fourth Team

    Fixture
    Holcombe 5A, 19 January 2008
    Result
    3 - 1 WIN ( R Humphrey, C Henderson, D Thompson )
    Venue
    Home
    Report

    After a heavy 6-0 defeat at the beginning of the season Valence were looking for revenge against the ever competitive Holcombe 5A’s.

    Valence started the game well with some good passing, creating a number of scoring chances but good keeping and some poor finishing meant it took a full 20 minutes before Rupert Humphrey broke the deadlock with a trademark short corner strike. Minutes later Holcombe found themselves outnumbering the Valence defence and despite Rob Harrison’s efforts the ball was slotted past Aldridge to make it 1-1 at half time.

    In the second half Valence redoubled their efforts, determined to improve on their first half performance. Early in the half the ageing forward Martin Chalker could have put Holcombe ahead but man of the Match Kyle Henderson (the better looking one) ran back and pinched the ball from his stick before he could get a shot off into the empty net. The home side then set up camp in Holcombe’s half some good pressure from Thompson and Van Der Gaag set up a short corner from which Chad Henderson scored to make it 2-1. Valence could have easily scored half a dozen goals in the period of play which followed but Shots from Humphrey, Henderson, Thompson and Max Ife (about 15!) all missed the target or was saved by the Holcombe keeper who had an excellent game. Valence then sealed the game with 5 minutes to go when Thompson found the target with a volley into the bottom corner giving Valence a well deserved 3-1 win.

    Also well done to Jack Davies, who played very well in his first game for the 4th team and thanks again to Lee for umpiring for us for the 4th time this season.

    Team
    Will Aldridge, Kyle Henderson, Stuart Edmed, Rob Harrison, Rob Ife, Max Ife, Chad Henderson, Ben Gallaphant, Darren Thompson, Marcus Van Der Gaaaag, Jack Davies, Rupert Humphrey
    MoM
    Kyle Henderson

  • Fifth Team

    Fixture
    BBHC, 19 January 2008
    Result
    5 - 1 WIN ( D Barton, R Ashness, N Hall, D Armstrong, J Abrahams )
    Venue
    Home
    Report

    The match started at a gentle pace as both sides eased themselves into a pattern of play. Valence began to gain momentum and pressed BBHC back into their 23 metre area. Eventually the pressure paid off and a hard cross from the left was deflected in by Dave Barton. The first half continued like this with BBHC occasionally probing but rarely getting into the circle. More good interplay by the forwards was rewarded when Richard Ashness deflected a shot into the goal. Unfortunately, he retired injured soon after.

    At half time, Valence changed keepers and before a rhythm could be established let in a goal within a minute; from a penalty corner. It took another five minutes before the home team started attacking properly but three goals came at regular intervals. All from crisp interplay and fast movement off the ball. Goals came from Hall, Armstrong and Abrahams. Valence were unlucky not to score several more before the end.

    This was a very good all round display that the whole team enjoyed. The defence played with great authority. As a result, BBHC only had one shot on goal. There were many excellent performances but the star player this week was Dan Armstrong who kept goal in the first half and then was effective in attack and set up many good chances as well as scoring a good goal.

    Team
    Dan Armstrong, Iain Simmons, Mike Nettle, Gray Smith-Laing, Nick Hall, James Abrahams, Bob Sagrott, Danny Grace, Richard Ashness, David Barton, Phil Barton, Steve Mole. Umpire: Phil Higgins
    MoM
    Dan Armstrong

  • Ladies 1st Team

    Fixture
    Tunbridge Wells, 19 January 2008
    Result
    Game To Replayed
    Venue
    Home
    Report

    This Saturday Sutton Valence Ladies hosted Tunbridge Wells Ladies 3rds. These teams are 1 point apart at the top of the table. After half a game of some quite good hockey, due to some of the girls slipping on the wet astroturf, the umpires deemed the pitch unfit for play and the match was abandoned. This sickened the Valence team, as after 20 minutes play, Valence were looking the stronger team. Several penalty corners were awarded and Georgie Pares. Lauren Dewart and Sarah Lacey looked certain to net some goals in the second half.

    This match is to be replayed on a spare league date and providing Wells play fair and don't draft any players from higher teams it should prove an exciting game to watch.

  • Sutton Russets

    Fixture
    Dartford, 19 January 2008
    Result
    7 – 0 WIN ( M Russell-Vick 3, S Garner 3, E Bush )
    Venue
    Home (Marden)
    Report

    This week’s game against Dartford was a landslide victory. The first goal was scored within a minute of first pushback. Emily Bush and Morgan Neale working together down the right wing set up centre-forward Mel Russell-Vick, who coolly swept the ball into the goal. This was followed by numerous penalty corners in our favour, which we were unable to capitalise on initially as we were spending too much time trying to dodge round defenders rather than either looking for the easy pass or to indeed have a shot.

    It was not until just before halftime that Mel Russell-Vick managed to get a touch on the ball after a scramble in the circle to bring us 2-0 up. The opposition seemed to almost give up completely in the second half. After yet another short-corner, Mel Russell-Vick smashed the ball into the backboard to complete her hat-trick. Morgan Neale had a fantastic game in midfield and was instrumental in feeding up the ball up the pitch. A Morgan Neale strike deflected off the goalkeeper leaving the chance for Sophie Garner to slap the ball in from the right post. A further goal followed again from Sophie Garner tapping the ball in.

    The most impressive of all the goals scored came from only three touches of the ball. Dartford becoming exasperated at having to take yet another pushback ended up hitting the ball straight at Liz Talbot who smashed the ball down into the far left corner for left wing Margaret Turner to pick up and make an exceptional cross to Sophie Garner who pushed the ball into the goal to equal Mel’s hat-trick.

    The final goal was a solo effort from Emily Bush who ran down the centre of the pitch and slammed the ball home from a top-D strike. This week was a quiet day at the office for our defence line.

    Team
    Claire Matthews, Carol Turner, Amelia Shaw, Agnes Pawlik, Nicola Andrews, Emily Bush, Morgan Neale, Liz Talbot, Sophie Garner, Mel Russell-Vick, Margaret Turner
    MoM
    Mel Russell-Vick