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Match Reports 12 December 2009

• 

  Fixture

  Holcombe, 12 December 2009

  Result

  1 - 0 WIN ( A Turnill )

  Venue

  Away

  Report

  There are games that make playing hockey worthwhile and this was one of them. We went to the league leaders for an away game with an under strength squad. The mood before the game was relaxed but aligned with a quiet determination to play to our potential.

  From the opening whistle we took the game to Holcombe and the first half became an end to end affair. We deservedly took the lead after 5 minutes. Through dogged harrying we created a turnover ball in the Holcombe half and Jedi broke and attacked the D at speed. In textbook manner he drew the last defender and placed a pass to Andy who took a superb first time shot that whistled across the keeper into the far netting.

  This spurred Holcombe into action and they created 2 good chances that shot stopper Will was never going to let in. Our defensive ability has been our key strength and we allowed the Holcombe playmakers no time on the ball and harried them into regularly giving the ball away in the final third. Holcombe began to dominate possession as they chased an equaliser but we played with 2 defensive banks of 4 and played classic counter attack hockey.

  Discipline was key as dubious decisions occurred for both sides but we kept our composure and began to retain the ball with increased quality. This was typified by skipper Fraser who continuously drew fouls and allowed us an excellent outlet on the right.

  Short corners were defended doggedly even if the Coach did have his eyes shut as he took one off the line.

  We had our own chances with Tom Edwards going close and Mike Gillette having a direct shot but in truth the 2nd half was about closing the game out and running down the clock.

  The final whistle eventually came creating a great atmosphere for SV and ensuring we had taken 18 points out of a possible 33 over the 1st half of the season. A welcome break and a chance for rest before we go again in January.

  Team

  Will Fuller, Stuart Howard, Rob Bray, David Brignell, Tim Forster, Ian Fraser, David Judge, James Murdoch, Mike Gillette, John Stiff, Andy Turnill and Tom Edwards.

  MoM

  Ian Fraser

• 

  Fixture

  Kings & Alleyns, 12 December 2009

  Result

  3 - 2 WIN ( Marcus Bowden, Andy Devlin, Dave Moran )

  Venue

  Home

  Report

  "HI HO, HI HO, IT'S UNBEATEN UP TO CHRISTMAS WE MUST GO!"

  Despite losing star man and ariel showman, Chris Johnson, to a metatarsal operation, for this top of the table clash with their nearest rivals (readers are advised to monitor Sky Sports News for progress), Valence need not have worried, as they broke the trend of two consecutive draws to record their ninth league victory; thus, ensuring an unbeaten record as the teams enter the winter break.

  Clearly Kings Alleyns hadn't read the script as they took an early lead. Perhaps this was down to Valence's lacklustre warm up, as epitomised by Brent 'scuffer' Angle? However, rapid replies from Marcoos and Andy Leo-Sayer-ate-my-Rhino Devlinio, settled the nerves. Indeed, the latter's somewhat primitive poaching of the goal from the dead bird-like Wilson (one 'l') drew admiration from the crowd, for its resultant position in the back of the net. Further success came in the shape of a strike from Dave Moran, ensuring that the home side went in to the halftime break two goals up.

  In spite of Valence's lack of forward penetration in the second half, their opponents were unable to capitalise, only finding the back of the net on one occasion. With the final score being 3-2 to Valence, they'll be the happier side, but must be aware that such a mediocre display will not be sufficient in the second half of the season, if they are to succeed as champions - a realistic target, when one considers league results so far.

  Acknowledgement must be made to Croucher's and Parker's defense when under pressure in the last 10 minutes. Further acknowledgment must be given to Andy Widow Twanky Lui, whose, 60th minute dive and subsequent Jeremy Beedlesque hand flap, would not have looked out of place at the Hazlitt's forthcoming showing of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, for its pantomime-like qualities. Oh yes, it would...

  Team

  Ben Target, Andy Widow Twanky Lui, Brent Angle, Dave Moron, Marcus Bowden, Lee Gary Croucher, Andy Delvin, Stevie Parker, Frederico Mac, Louis Michelle, Thomas Wilson,

  MoM

  Pete Posnette

• 

  Fixture

  BBHC, 12 December 2009

  Result

  2 - 2 DRAW ( Craig 2 )

  Venue

  Home

  Report

  Having won the last 7 on the trot, we went into this game expecting a good result against a team who had played 8, lost 8, conceded 41 goals and scored only 5.

  This game had been re-arranged due to BBHC team wanting to enter a Vets tournament on the previous date. Imagine our surprise when over 1/3 of the team looked under 30!!! On top of this we also had two late withdrawals (including our goalkeeper) meaning we had a bare 11 and no one to play in goal. We therefore started the match more sceptical about what was to come.

  After only about 10minutes we lost Richard Ashness from our midfield with a pulled hamstring...we had a re-shuffle and moved Richard back to sweep behind the defence, to cover in place of a goalkeeper, which he did very well stopping a few attacks.

  Despite all these setbacks we played well, but not well enough! We created a lot of good chances and scored two good goals from open play. We however won 11 short corners without scoring any. At the other end, we defended our goal very well, conceding only one short corner, which they scored from.

  Game finished at 2-2, which Valence were very frustrated about. We had enough chances to win the game but weren't clinical enough. We were also always too cautious to protect our goal.

  Considering we agreed to move the game to help BBHC, it was very disappointing and extremely frustrating to here the comment "if we hadn't brought the first team players in we wouldn't have had a game...what would you rather"

  On a positve note, we might finally have found ourselves a centre forward (Craig), that can help finish more of the chances we create. We are also now 1 point clear at the top with the best goal difference, so all looks good going into the second half of the season. Despite a couple of dodgy goal mouth decisions both umpires officiated the game very well.

  Team

  Richard Ashness, Phil Morris, Nick Hall, Alex Riddle, Bob Sagrott, Nick Gray, Nick Ryder, Alan Day, Simon Aylott, Justin Baker, Craig. Umpire - Iain Simmons

• 

  Fixture

  Purley, 12 December 2009

  Result

  0 - 3 LOSS

  Venue

  Home

  Report

  The game started in the traditional way with Charlie Worsfold standing chatting to the opposition's goal keeper, except in this game he was supposed to be umpiring.

  The match quickly developed into a rather a one-sided game with Purley playing team hockey, leaving Sutton Valence looking very pedestrian at times. They quickly stamped their control on the game and started to convert that control into goals.

  The final score of 3 goals to the visitors and 0 to Sutton Valence was a fair reflection of the game.