Match Reports 3 October 2009
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- Fixture
- Brighton & Hove, 3 October 2009
- Result
- 3 - 0 WIN ( T Forster, J Murdoch, I Fraser )
- Venue
- Report
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The first league game for the newly promoted 1st XI and a journey into the unknown in terms of quality of this league. Pre-season form had been patchy but progress had been made with our playing system and set pieces. Within 5 minutes this preparation paid off with Tim Forster executing a great drag flick and putting us 1-0 up. Unfortunately James "Jedi" Murdoch chose to then deviate from the game plan and Darth Vadered their centre half earning a lengthy respite on the side of the pitch (he has his own bench). This actually prompted a period of play where SV retained the ball with some style and saw off any threat of the opposition with their extra man advantage.
After a calming team talk SV came out with real focus and Jedi returned to the pitch and finished off a flowing move that involved 5 players from pitch end to pitch end to increase our lead. Effectively this killed off the game and SV looked strong defensively and a real threat going forward. Jon Stiff settled the game after winning a penalty flick after being put clear by a Tim Forster monster aerial and being kicked 45 foot into the air by their Kev Ball goalie. Up stepped skipper Ian Fraser and put a slow flick down the middle of the goal for a 3-0 victory....he saw the goalie move to his right early apparently.....A good start with a victory and a clean sheet.
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- Fixture
- Burnt Ash 3rd XI, 3 October 2009
- Result
- 3 - 1 WIN ( T Morgan, A Lee, A Devlin )
- Venue
- Away
- Report
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Valence started their new League campaign by making hard work of the weaker of the two Burnt Ash sides they will be facing.
On paper the strongest of 2nd XI sides in recent years started well with plenty of possession and short corners. Tom Morgan and Andy Lee converted two of these chances to give Valence an early lead. The side then seemed to beleive in their own superiority and Burnt Ash came increasingly into the game, pulling a goal back just after half time. This was not an isolated incident and Valence were lucky to have the redoubtable Croucher in fine fettle between the sticks. Andy Devlin poached a close range third, to give the visitors a bit of a cushion but this was a far from convincing performance. The last ten minutes were played out with 10 men against 11, after Posnette arrived later than a British Rail train into one tackle.
In theory Valence should be one of the strongest sides in this restructed League. However, facing better opposition from the same club next week some fingers will need to be pulled out.
- Team
- L Croucher, S Parker, N Worsfold, A McVarish, B Bartlett, A Lee, P Posnette, L Mitchell, T Morgan, A Devlin, F McVarish, B Tragett
- MoM
- Lee Croucher
