Match Reports 17 October 2009

Fixture

Worthing, 17 October 2009

Result

2 - 1 WIN ( A Turnill, J Murdoch )

Venue

Report

Two unbeaten teams going head to head with Worthing only losing this league last season by goal difference. SV are growing in confidence and this was apparent in their game and it was a very even contest in the first half. Their short corner specialist scored 30+ goals last year but Will Fuller dealt with his first effort well and thanks to an awesome defensive display this was the only corner that Worthing gained over the whole game. 0-0 at halftime but followed with another goal conceded in the first 5 minutes of the 2nd half with Coach and Manager tearing what's left of their hair out.

However mental strength is one of our key assets and we reacted positively creating a number of corners and open play opportunities. A speculative pass from the old man in midfield was made to look an excellent one by our prolific centre forward Andy.T who is seemingly the master of deflections. Our tails were up in spite of Stewie "I can't play on with this slight glute strain" Howard (who actually played very well) and Worthing began to lose shape, possession and any previously held sense of humour.

Another short corner was won and the resulting rebound from the keeper was smashed home by Jedi with both ball and goalie going net-bound. A great victory and a great start to our campaign. The focus needs to continue though with a tough away game to Blackheath looming.
Fixture

Herne Bay, 17 October 2009

Result

2 - 1 WIN ( M Bowden, T Willson )

Venue

Away

Report

Sutton Valence travelled to a surprisingly warm Herne Bay with a strong side and high hopes, from the start it was clear that it would be a tight and physical game.

Valence started brightly forcing some initial short corners with Bob Bartlett forcing some good saves from the Herne Bay keeper. Herne Bays game of a ball over the top started to create chances for them, with keeper Croucher called into action for some 1 on 1 tests. It was a short corner from Herne Bay the broke the deadlock, Andy Mac was unlucky to concede the corner in the first place, Herne Bay converted with a low drag flick.

It was not long before Valence replied with a corner of their own, Marcus Bowden converting with a powerful drag flick from close range. The second half saw a flurry of action at both ends with Valence gradually breaking Herne Bay down, it was a tough and verbal game and the umpires rightly clamped down in the second half. Valence reduced to 10 and Herne Bay to 9.

The re-shuffle saw Captain Andrew upfront with Devlin an unlikely but effective partnership. The pressure eventually told with a good team goal, Tom Willson tapping in a the far post. Herne Bay ran out of steam eventually with Tom Morgan continuing to break down play in the midfiled. A solid performance from Valence.

Team

Croucher (GK), MacVarish, Parker, Bartlett, Lee(Capt), Tragett, Posnette, Morgan, Willson, Mitchell, Devlin, Bowden

MoM

Marcus Bowden
Fixture

Sevenoaks, 17 October 2009

Result

2 - 1 WIN ( G Thomas, N Ryder )

Venue

Home

Report

SV turned up fairly confidently, with a settled team and on the back of a 3-nil victory against this Sevenoaks side in a pre-season friendly. After last weeks shortage, we had an abundance of players - 13 in total, including 3 new faces.

We started the game playing really well at a good tempo, passing well and creating plenty of chances. The central midfield pair were breaking down attacks well and distributing well to the halves and forwards. The forwards were attacking well down both flanks and getting good balls into the D, but for some good defending/goalkeeping and some unlucky finishing we could have scored more goals.

Late in the first half, from one of these good attacks, George found himself in a great position in the D to smash the ball past the helpless keeper to put Sutton 1-0 up. Sevenoaks also played well with their wingers getting some joy down the flanks, but any attacks were nullified by the Sutton defence and goalkeeper. Only a couple of short corners were conceded and these were all dealt with without any issues.

Half time came and the score was 1-0 to SV. We were very buoyant about our first half performance and all felt that if we kept working as hard more goals would come. We freshened things up a bit, bringing the two rolling subs back on. Second half started much the same, with SV working the ball around well from front to back, creating some good attacking moves.

Mid way through the second half George made a good run through the midfield, despatched the ball on the right to Nick Ryder, he beat one defender before putting the ball past the keeper on his reverse stick. This put SV 2-0. We then kept the pressure on and could have scored more goals.

Complacency then set in and Sevenoaks started to see more of the ball and started to attack more. The Valence midfield and defence were playing very well and managing to keep them at bay, and what did get through was dealt with by the goalie, but one move from S'oaks saw the midfield and defence wrong footed, and their sharp forward managed to put the ball past the keeper.

After this, we changed formation slightly, bringing George back into midfield to help contain them, this worked very well with Valence nulifying S'oaks to hold onto their well deserved 2-1 victory.

Team

Dan Armstrong; Iain Simmons, Phil Morris, Nick Hall; Richard Ashness, Nick Gray, Simon Aylott, Alan Day, Colin; Nick Ryder, Justin Baker, Alex Stamp, George Thomas

MoM

Man of the match wise, the whole team played very well...everyone is starting to gel together and understand how each other plays. We therefore decided that no one deserved it more than anyone else, so a team award!!