Match Reports 30 January 2010

Fixture

Herne Bay, 30 January 2010

Result

2 - 0 WIN ( M Bowden, T Willson )

Venue

Home

Report

Sutton Valence climbed 3 points clear with a win over 4th placed Herne Bay. The game started late which seemed to work in the home sides favour as they looked to keep possession and win penalty corners the first of which was converted by Marcus, the 'keeper managed to get a glove to the flick but only to lift it into the roof of the net. Herne Bay restarted and worked hard in the midfield but their tactic of long balls to their pacey forwards was generally held off well by the defensive triumvirate of Lois Mitchel, Steve Parker and Matt Oakley, who played extremely well having been called up from the 3rds. the match remained in the balance with both sides winning corners but failing to test the 'keepers significantly. with around 10 to go in the first half Willson passed to Devlin on top of the 'd' who's return pass saw Willson through with only the 'keeper to beat which he duly managed despite the strict instructions from captain 'shorty'.

The second half saw the pitch freeze over, which dominated the play and led to players loosing their footing, sliding into opposition and getting cards for it and discussions with the captains about abandonment. The game continued however with Valence seemingly happy to try to soak up the pressure (mainly due to having no subs) this of course led to Bay keeping the lions share of the ball and testing the defense ever more sternly. Valence had several counter attacks mainly down the right where Mitchel, unused to playing in defense, kept finding himself in the attacking 'd' despite the 2-0 advantage!

The game finally petered out with no further goals and with Valence happy to find out they were now top due to Cliftonville and Kings postponed.

Team

Lee Croucher, Steve Parker, Matt Oakley, Lois Mitchel, Andy Lee, Tom (two l's) Willson, Brett Angel, Tom Morgan, Fred Mac Varnish, Marcus Bowden, Andy Devlin

MoM

Matt Oakley
Fixture

BBHC, 30 January 2010

Result

3 - 1 WIN ( B Bowens, R Archer, C Henderson )

Venue

Home

Report

Valence set out on a cold afternoon looking for another 3 points to continue their chase for top spot in the league. Within moments of the pushback Valence were nearly derailed by a succession of penalty corners where the defence had to dig deep to keep out. After some excellent keeping and defending by Al-Bert and the defence Valence finally gain control of the ball and counter attacked. Each side had chances in the first half but went in to the break without scoring.

As Valence's frustrations grew BBHC opened the scoring. after a few minuets of disarray and scrappy play Valence were back on equal terms when Chad Henderson kept a ball in play from the back line for Bert to score from a yard out. This rallied the troops and after some more dogged determination Valence were rewarded a short corner that Rick Archer smashed home from the top of the D. BBHC never gave up and Valence needed to score again to secure the win. Rick Archer drove forward from mid field and delivered a powerful cross into the D for Chad Henderson to sweep into the back board minuets from time to make it 3-1. Its was a tough game from start to finish but Valence fought to the end to gain the victory.
Fixture

Sevenoaks, 30 January 2010

Result

2 - 0 WIN ( Craig, S Aylott )

Venue

Away

Report

We turned up in the bitter cold, hoping for a fast, busy game to keep us all warm!!

This was a fantastic match, with some great hockey played by SV - probably the best hockey we have played as a team. Justin terrorised down the right flank, in between his numerous sub-breaks to get his breath back!

The forward line played very well, unlucky not to score more goals. All in all, this match was a pleasure to play in, and deserving put us back on top of the league.

Olly Aldridge; Phil Morris, Iain Simmons, Nick Hall; Simon Aylott, Richard Ashness, Alan Day, Justin Baker; Nick Ryder, Craig, Pradeep Parmar, Jason Baker

Justin Baker

Team

MoM