Match Reports 27 October 2007

Fixture

Old Bordenians, 27 October 2007

Result

2 - 3 LOSS ( B Angel, A Carter )

Venue

Home

Report

'Points thrown away by Valence'

Sutton Valence started the brighter on Saturday and were hoping to make it back to back wins, the first twenty minutes were closely contested in the midfield. Bordenians pressed Valence hard but a short corner from from Valence undid the Bordenians defence - the initial shot was saved and Brett Angel finished the rebound.

A second goal came from open play - a very well struct shot from Ali Carter gave the keeper little chance.Poor marking allowed Bordenians a goal before half time - the shot was well struct but the attacker was given time and space - a costly error.

The second half continued in a similar way, chances fell to both sides, it was a short corner that drew Bordenians level. The shot was going wide until a Valence defender defected the ball into the goal.

Valence then began to hit self destruct, questioning decisions and generally getting involved rather than concentrating on the game. Reduced to 10 men Valence struggled. Bordenians scrambled a goal in and deserved it.

Valence had a couple of short corners towards the end but the execution was poor. If Valence can learn from this it may help going forward, if not, it may be a long season.

Team

Croucher, S Back, C Back (Capt), Worsfold, Johnson, Willson, Bray, Morgan, Lampp, Carter, Angel, Fraser
Fixture

Brighton, 27 October 2007

Result

2 - 2 DRAW ( B Bartlett 2 )

Venue

Away

Report

Unbeaten Valence travelled to Brighton this Saturday for what would prove to be by far their hardest test to date. On an extremely sandy surface neither side was able to gain an early dominance. The first clear chance fell to Brighton who were generously awarded a penalty stroke, only for their player to put the ball wide. This seemed to rally Valence who finished the half strongly with lots of pressure on the opposition goal. However neither side managed to make the break through they were looking for and at half time the score remained goalless.

The deadlock was broken early in the second half as Brighton finally managed to convert a short corner. Valence then showed their team character, quickly responding by winning a series of penalty corners. The last of these was coolly converted by Bob Bartlett with a powerful drag flick to the top right hand corner of the net giving the keeper little chance. The Brighton response was almost immediate. Their skilful forwards pounced on a wayward pass from the otherwise impressive Rob Ife and counterattacked quickly with most the Valence side out of position due to the turnover.

Time again for Valence to dig deep and Bob Bartlett responded superbly with a fine individual goal to make it 2-2. This remained the final score despite further chances at each end with Lee and Fred McVarish going close. The game ended with Valence resisting a final Brighton short corner. This was an excellent team effort and a well earned point for which the whole side can be proud. The team then returned to Brighton’s club house where they enjoyed some fine real ales and sandwiches and outnumbered the hosts. Next week Valence entertains Holcombe in what is likely to be an equally challenging test.

Team

A Burt, R Turnill, A McVarish, R Ife, J Edmed, A Lee, B Bartlett, L Mitchell, F McVarish, A Devlin, B Tragett, M Ife. Umpire: S Weedon

MoM

Bob Bartlett
Fixture

Gravesham, 27 October 2007

Result

2 - 0 WIN ( B Bouwens, M Leader )

Venue

Away

Report

The thirds travelled to Gravesend wanting to get back to winning ways following last weeks defeat to Maidstone. With a few new faces strengthening the team Valence looked confident from the off and a few early attacks put pressure of the Gravesham defence but that just seemed to wake the opposition up and they did their best to stop Valence from playing their usual game. The game then progressed with sloppy passing and movement from Valence and stalemate was met with each team cutting out the ball in mid field with little opportunities being made from either side but if anyone was going to score it would be Valence and sure enough with 30 minutes played the ball was passed through the Gravesham defence for Bert Bouwens to coolly nutmeg the goalkeeper.

Gravesham came out the stronger team in the second half and made some good passing movements towards the Valence goal but the defence including man of the match Will Hoffman stayed strong and along with some fine saves from Rob Sharp kept the attackers at bay. Valence remembering their team talk started to pass the ball with confidence and were able to start using all the space of the pitch and when they were awarded their 167th short corner of the game, a routine was found that worked and skipper Mark Leader slotted home.

Good to be back to winning ways again but the team must try harder springs to mind!!

Team

Rob Sharp, Hamish Dow, Will Hoffman, Josh Davies, Phil Beech, Chris Stille, Mark Leader, Will Fuller, Callum Atkins, Tom Edwards, Ben Lewell, Ed Lewell, Bert Bouwens

MoM

Will Hoffman
Fixture

University of Kent, 27 October 2007

Result

5 - 2 WIN ( R Humphrey 3, D Thompson, A Lynn )

Venue

Home

Report

Following the win at Bordens school last week, the 4th team looked to continue their good run at home to the University of Kent 2s. Valence started the game well putting pressure on the Kent defence. The pressure finally told when Valence were awarded a short corner. Rupert Humphrey, in his second game of the season since returning from injury, proved his worth and drilled a strong shot into the goal. The goal spurred Valence on, and they soon awarded another short corner. Again Rupert Humphrey took the shot at goal and claimed his second. Valence changed things around from the bench, and continued their attacking game. The continuous attacks won Valence another short corner. This time Darren Thompson struck the shot and got his first goal of the season. The game the slowed a little, and Kent were able to pull one back. This seemed to kick Valence into top gear and shortly afterwards another short corner was awarded and Rupert Humphrey converted to complete his hat trick.

Valence went into half time 4 - 1 and were keen to keep the pressure on for the second half. Valence did start the half quickly and Andy Lynn was on hand to convert after some good attacking play. At 5 – 1 the 4th team seemed to switch off, and seemed to be unable to get out of their own half. The University of Kent side started to take control of the game and very quickly pulled back 2 goals. Valence could not get the passing and movement going, and were a shadow of the team of the first half. Fortunately, Valence held on to take the 3 points, and retain second position within the league.

Next week the team go to Canterbury keen to keep their run going, but must be wary not to repeat the performance of the second half of this game.

Team

Ben Croucher, Gareth Davies, Kyle Henderson, George Thomas, Darren Thompson, Marcus Van der Gaag, Ben Grabham, Chad Henderson, Simon Davies, Andy Lynn, Rupert Humphrey, James Watkins, Ben Coyle, Tony Auger, Daniel Mansfield

MoM

Rupert Humphrey
Fixture

Clifftonville, 27 October 2007

Result

2 - 2 DRAW ( J Abrahams, B Sagrott )

Venue

Away

Report

A team comprising several new faces took some time to settle. Cliftonville attacked with skill and pace and kept SuttonValence pinned back for the first 20 minutes. The defence held out, restricting the hosts to several half chances. Gradually the passing improved and Valence were creating more chances on goal as the half time whistle went.

The second half again saw both teams attacking but no clear chances were created. Phil Bramall came on and the speed of the play increased. After some swift interpassing, James Abrahams was left to reverse sweep the ball into the goal from close range. Five minutes later, the ball was thumped into the goal by Bob Sagrott from a penalty corner. Cliftonville pressed forward and hit the post with the goal wide open. Clitonville scored from some individual brilliance five minutes from time. It seemed that Valence would close the game out but in the dying minutes, the defence allowed a weak cross to pass 3 players for the lone striker to prod the ball home.

The result was a fair reflection of the game overall but the loss of two late goals was hard to take.

Team

Rob Sharpe, Danny Armstrong,, Iain Simmons, Nick Hall, David Barton, Bob Sagrott, Danny Grace, James Abrahams, Dougie Muir, James Stanford, Jack Davies, Phlip Barton, Phil Bramall. Umpire: Stuart Edmed

MoM

Phil Bramall
Fixture

Gravesend, 27 October 2007

Result

1 - 0 WIN ( A Kish )

Venue

Away

Report

Despite fielding an unpractised team with several new players, Sutton Valence Ladies did well on Saturday away against Gravesend Ladies 3rds.

Anna Kish was in fine form and enjoyed several runs up the left wing. The right hand side of the pitch also got good use and Emma Donkersley and rooky Olivia Toppin managed to drive the ball out wide and into the Gravesend danger area. Sutton Valence had the majority of the play in the first half and Sophie Simmonds, Lauren Dewart and Anna Kish had several shots on goal. To the Gravesend keeper's credit, she was on her toes and was able to keep Gravesend out of trouble, until a Kish strike at the top of the circle, slammed home to give Valence their first goal.

The second half was better for Gravesend. The Valence defenders held firm though. Carol Hazelton and Caroline Lawton did some fantastic defensive tackles to keep trouble at bay, but it was player of the match Zoe Wright who really came into her own... Gravesend were appointed half a dozen penalty corners in the second half and every single one came to no avail as no sooner had the attacker stopped the ball, Wright came charging through and took it off her. At the other end, towards the end of the game, Valence were given another opportunity to score when a penalty flick was awarded. Up stepped Donkersley to promptly hit the post! In the end this was of no detriment to the away team as they won the game 1 nil.

Team

Riona Evenden, Carol Hazelton, Caroline Lawton, Emma Dickenson, Zoe Wright, Emma Donkersley (c), Georgie Pares, Natalie Higginson, Olivia Toppin, Lauren Dewart, Anna Kish, Sophie Simmonds.

MoM

Zoe Wright
Fixture

Greenwich Poly, 27 October 2007

Result

3 – 2 WIN ( M Turner 2, E Sullivan )

Venue

Home

Report

Russets faced a tough battle against Greenwich this week. From the outset Greenwich took command of pitch and had several sturdy shots on goal that star Goalkeeper Chloe Auger saved in spectacular style. Greenwich opened up the scoring which encouraged the Russets to respond with some excellent passing between Lotty Wooley and Mel Russell-Vick. Their teamwork ensured the ball found its way into the attacking D on numerous occasions. Russets were awarded several penalty corners for their efforts, which paid off when a deflected Mel Russell-Vick strike found Margaret Turner’s stick on the left post to bring the score to 1-1.

Russets continued to hustle hard for the ball against a determined Greenwich side. Greenwich made several counter attacks that Claire Matthews in defence blocked with solid vigour. Nicky Andrews was also dependable in defence as she managed to feed the ball up the pitch despite often being bombarded by a Greenwich onslaught. Thanks largely to Carol Turner’s forceful clearances from the defending D we were able to formulate another attack just before half time, which saw Emily Sullivan score from just in front of goal.

The second half was even tougher as Russets’ fitness began to lag but with our heads held high, we were resolute in our aim to net the winning 3 points. Greenwich managed to score again leaving us a matter of minutes to reply. Battling on, the Russets achieved some outstanding passing in midfield which lead to Jane Bishop on the right post making a cross to Margaret Turner for her second goal and this sealed our victory. Although we struggled more in the second half, our skill and teamwork improved greatly.

Team

Chloe Auger, Carol Turner, Claire Matthews, Nicola Andrews, Amelia Shaw, Liz Talbot, Lotty Wooley, Emily Sullivan, Sophie Garner, Margaret Turner, Mel Russell-Vick, Jane Bishop.

MoM

Chloe Auger
Fixture

Tunbridge Wells Grasshoppers, 27 October 2007

Result

1 - 6 LOSS ( David Robinson )

Venue

Home

Report

David Robinson joined the Sutton Valence Vets’ top scorers with his single contribution in this challenging game. Who, did you say? David Robinson, the player loaned to us by Tunbridge Wells to make up our numbers! As one TW player was heard to say “Well at least we got all the goals”.

Tunbridge Wells came with a strong squad and set about using it to some effect in the first half. Their positioning was good and their passing accurate and they moved up the pitch into Sutton Valence’s final quarter with some ease and frequency. It was down to some redoubtable defending in that final quarter by Bob King, Peter Jackson, John Knight and Andy Beavis and keeper Dave Britton that the goal tally was restricted to just two in the first half.

Some breakouts were achieved by Valence’ midfield four of Hugh Robertson, Henry Humphrey Stuart Bates and Paul Linaker, and one or two of these showed promise as the ball got through up front, particularly the running of new player Dave Bracewell, linking well with borrowed TW player, David Robinson.

In the second half there was more of the same, but Sutton Valence started to make better inroads into the Tunbridge Wells’ half. Though, in the end, more goals were conceded in the second half, Valence played more like a team and had several chances that just lacked the final killer shot put away. They certainly deserved the one finally scored by the loaned player, but really should have seen more for their efforts to show the true balance of the game.

Once again, the main contribution came from Valence’s defence, particularly in the first half, where real scoring opportunities were saved. In this, the most measurable input was from the keeper, Dave Britton.

Next week will be another tough home game as Sutton Valence meet Canterbury Friars at 11.30 on the Prep School astro.

Team

Dave Britton; Bob King; Peter Jackson; Andy Beavis; John Knight (Capt); Stuart Bates; Hugh Robertson; Dave Bracewell; David Robinson (TW); Henry Humphrey; Paul Linaker; Umpire: Nick Willson.

MoM

Dave Britton
Fixture

Bromley & Beckenham, 28 October 2007

Result

3 - 1 WIN ( J Stanford, T Edwards, J Watkins )

Report

SV turned out on a wet Sunday for their first Mercian league match against last seasons tournament finalists Brom Becks. From the start both teams were competitive and looked evenly matched. The mid-field was the principle battle ground with SV trying to make use of wing half Tom Edwards while Brom Becks were more focused on playing down the middle. Both defences seemed to be holding their own. However, SV started to move up a gear as Max Ife and James Watkins took hold of the mid-field and we started to see opportunities opening up with Jack Davies and James Stanford using their pace to worry the Brom Beck defence. 20 minutes in to the game and Sutton were flowing with Rob Hancox providing good support to the mid-field and forwards and distributing the ball wide.

Brom Becks were on the back foot and as a number of shots just went wide but as Brom Becks found it difficult to get out of their 25, Sutton's forward James Stanford managed to get the ball in the goal from a keeper rebound. Brom Becks bounced straight back and for 5 minutes Sutton seemed to rush their attack which gave easy possession back to Brom Becks. So with instructions to keep the ball and slow the game down. Tom Edwards and Max Ife started to apply some speedy dribble work and delivered some great opportunities from attacking from BB's baseline. Tom Edwards scored a peach just before half time dribbling through all of the BB's mid-field and defence to run the ball into the goal. 2-0 to SV at half time.

Sutton's second half aim was to ensure they scored as quickly as possible to make sure any Brom Beck thoughts of a come back would be snuffed out. Sutton continued their dominance and soon had a number of chances. Jack Davies had one of the best opportunities when he was picked out at the top of the D by an except pass from Max Ife. Alone with the Brom Beck keeper Jack some how managed to let the ball go off the base line without even a shot on goal. However, it did wake up the defence who had been caught well off guard. Sutton's pressure soon paid off with perhaps the best goal of the game. Tom Edwards giving another fine performance drove the ball along the baseline, pushed it back to the P spot where James Watkins smashed it into the goal. 3-0 and Sutton had the advantage they had planned.

Brom Becks continued to attack and their 150 winger started to cause issues as he out paced Sutton's left half. Where Sutton's defence had looked strong a momentary lapse saw Brom Becks get a consolation goal. Sutton's keeper, Will Aldridge who had performed fantastically making a number of saves in the first half, was caught out by the deflected shot. As the game drew to a close some tired legs developed but Sutton had the best of the final minutes. Tom Edwards bombarding the Brom Becks keeper with a number of vicious strikes on goal, but the final whistle saw Sutton as the deserved winners 3-1.

Another excellent performance by all. Sutton's defence with Josh Luckhurst, Chigi Patel and Phil Beech played well and used their pace to support attacks and cover. Harry Townsend and Phil Barton gave 100% on the left mid-field and learnt a lot about how this position works.