Match Reports 23 February 2008

  • First Team

    Fixture
    Burnt Ash, 23 February 2008
    Result
    3 - 3 DRAW ( I Fraser, T Morgan, N Lampp )
    Venue
    Away
    Report

    Sutton Valence to bottom of the league but much improved Burnt Ash on Saturday and were lucky to escape with a draw. Valence with a few players missing started very slowly and soon found themselves on the back foot and a goal behind after the winger found space in the D to slip the ball to the far post where the striker was waiting unmarked to slip the ball home. Valence rallied and equalised when Lampp found Fraser in the D who deflected home. Ash then struck again after a scramble in the D which somehow resulted with the ball in the back of the goal. Valence went into half time behind knowing that a much improved second half was required if they were to take anything from the game. Youngster Ali Carter became more involved upfront after being starved of the ball in the first half and created another equaliser for Valence when he set up Morgan at the far post to finish.

    The game became scrappy with both teams in need of the 3 points battling for every ball like their life depended on it. Ash took the lead for a third time after another scramble in the D led to an easy finish for the striker with goalkeeper and defender in a heap together after a mix up. With captain Chris Back unusually quiet due to a niggling injury, Tom Morgan and Nick Lampp took up the challenge of finding a third equaliser which duely came with 30 seconds remaining when a short corner drag flick from Turnill rebounded off the crossbar and Lampp was on hand to knock in past the stranded keeper.

    Valence entertain 2nd placed Worthing next week looking to pull away from the relegation zone with a much improved performance. Valence welcome back important defensive duo Willson and Worsfold who were sorely missed on Saturday.

    Team
    Croucher, Back.C, Back.S, Turnill.R, Fraser, Bray, Morgan, Lampp, Carter, Turnill.A, McVarish, Angel

  • Fifth Team

    Fixture
    Anchorians, 23 February 2008
    Result
    2 - 2 DRAW ( P Bramall 2 )
    Venue
    Home
    Report

    Anchorians arrived with a relatively young side who’s skill belied their age. Valence had a number of new faces and people playing in different positions. As a result, the game was disjointed in the first half with both sides trying to attack through he middle of the pitch. Anchorians relied heavily on one exceptional midfield player who repeatedly brought the ball up to the circle. Eventually the pressure told and the visitors scored. Although not playing to the normal standard, Valence created several chances. The best beat the opposition keeper only to strike both posts before coming back into play. Just before half time Phil Bramall took charge, yet again, and slotted the ball home.

    The second half was better but the Anchorians keeper was outstanding and closed down numerous shots on goal. Anchorians favoured attacking down the right and managed to cross the ball to find a player unmarked at the far post who turned the ball home. Valence kept pushing forward. A goal from a penalty corner was disallowed but minutes before the end Phil Bramall attacked the circle at pace and slotted home.

    The team tried hard again this week but lacked the quality and leadership to play the ball wide and nullify the Anchorians midfield. Too often the ball was given away cheaply. On a positive note, it was good to have new players in Pradeep and Henry. Hopefully, they will experience the normal 5th team passing game before the end of the season.

    Team
    Dan Armstrong, Dave Barton, Mike Nettle, Nick Hall, Henry Forrester, Pradeep Parmar, Danny Grace, Nick Gray, James Abrahams, Phil Barton, Phil Bramall, Dan Mansfield. Umpire: Iain Simmons
    MoM
    Phil Bramall

  • Sutton Russets

    Fixture
    Bromley & Beckenham, 23 February 2008
    Result
    0 - 1 LOSS
    Venue
    Away
    Report

    This weeks game against Bromley and Beckenham Ladies proved to be a real challenge and unfortunately Sutton Russets could not match them. In the first half, the defence kept a tight reign on the opposition who had ample opportunities to score. Carol Turner was instrumental in clearing the ball every time out of the D. At half time the score line was 0-0.

    In the second half, the Russets had their fair share of the attacking play, with some excellent passing between Gemma Shireby and Sophie Simmonds. However, Bromley and Beckenham were just too strong and made the most of their breaks with the ball. The Russets conceded too many short corners and on the third, Brom & Becks scored from the a deflection on the post.

    Overall, the Russets lacked match fitness this week but hopefully this result will spur us on for next weeks game against Blackheath. Thank you to Chloe Sullivan who filled the gap as Goalkeeper this week who made a great debut despite feeling unwell!

    Team
    Chloe Sullivan, Carol Turner, Amelia Shaw, Nicola Andrews, Claire Matthews, Morgan Neale, Lottie Woolley, Sophie Garner, Gemma Shireby, Sophie Simmonds and Margaret Turner
    MoM
    Chloe Sullivan

  • Veterans Team

    Fixture
    Cobdown, 23 February 2008
    Result
    2 - 1 WIN ( C Worsfold, R Evans )
    Venue
    Away
    Report

    One of those scratch friendlies possible because Cobdown’s 2nd Xl did not have a league game this week. The mainly genuine Vets’ side comprised some well experienced players, particularly on grass, not Sutton Valence’s strongest surface.

    The game opened with Sutton Valence playing up the slope, and they quickly established control on this phase, with numerous linking attacking runs into the home side’s dee. Whilst most of the earlier ones were repulsed by the Cobdown defence before they got too close, Valence’s midfield and backs were effective in getting the ball quickly back upfield to allow their forwards to keep the pressure on. A goalmouth scramble resulting from one of these finally saw Charles Worsfold get the ball past the keeper to open the scoring. Before much longer, after other near misses, a strike into the box from the right was picked up by Richard Evans and clipped home.

    In the early second half, changes to Valence’s formation combined with a greater determination from Cobdown, seemed to reduce Valence’s fluidity of attack, but their backs restricted Cobdown’s opportunities as they broke through more positively. Eventually their persistence paid with a well taken shot to which the Valence keeper was unable to get. This caused Valence to raise their work rate more and Richard Evans had another goal disallowed due to kicking the ball just before hitting it and Stuart Bates made several effective runs at the defence only to be denied in the final few yards.

    It is hoped that the two teams will achieve a replay at 11.30 on the Prep School astro at Sutton Valence on March 15th.

    Team
    Dave Britton; Bob King; Gray Smith-Laing; Phil Higgins; Andy Beavis; Nick Willson; John Knight; Steve Mole; Henry Humphrey; Stuart Bates; Paul Linaker; Charles Worsfold; Richard Evans. Umpires: John Knight; Stuart Bates; Phil Higgins; Paul Linaker.
    MoM
    Phil Higgins, for calm cutting out of the opposition attacks and accurate distribution to midfield.