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Match Reports 31 October 2009

• 

  Fixture

  Marden, 31 October 2009

  Result

  2 - 6 LOSS ( T Forster, D Judge )

  Venue

  Away

  Report

  A poor day with a first league loss in 28 games for the 1st XI. In truth it was a fair result with Marden dominating the 2nd half. Our start was better and the 1st half was an even affair that resulted in a 3-2 scoreline at half time. A good corner follow up by Tim Forster equalised a good opening deflected goal by Marden. A poor pass in defence led to Marden's 2nd which gave Will Fuller little chance in goal but again SV equalised with a goal from coach who won a foot race with a very slow midfielder to allow a quick shot to beat the gk at the far corner. We conceded the the third goal just before half time and moving forward we need to react to these type of events with better body language and overall resilience.

  In the 2nd half Marden gave a masterclass in retaining the ball well and only after SV were 5-2 down did we pay any good, fluid hockey where we created 4 corners but scored none. A game to learn from, much to do in training and we welcome back key players and ensure we go out at maximum impact against Holcombe next week.

• 

  Fixture

  Tunbridge Wells, 31 October 2009

  Result

  3 - 1 WIN ( B Bartlett 2, A Devlin )

  Venue

  Home

  Report

  Sutton Valence started the game against Tonbridge Wells strongly and within 7 minutes had the lead with a good move ending with Dave Morams shot being saved and Andy Devlin slotting home the rebound. It was against the run of play that Wells levelled after 15 minutes from their first Penalty corner. Valence responded well and continued to apply pressure to the Wells goal and create many chances that were either well saved or resulted in penalty corners. It was from the first of these that Bob Bartlet restored the lead with a shot that went through the diving 'keepers legs and the score remained two, one to the home side at the end of the first period of play.

  The second half started with the teams more evenly balanced, although Valence carved out the better chances. With 10 minutes gone Valence were awarded a penalty stroke and reduced too 10 men from the same phase of play. Bob Bartlet calmly converted the flick to open up a two goal lead. The game continued with Valence able to not only soak up the pressure applied by Wells's numerical advantage, but to create their own chances. Once parity was restored the result moved beyond doubt with Valence able to outmanover their opponents with little trouble.

  Team

  L Croucher, C Johnson, N Worsfold, S Parker, A Lee, B Tragett, L Mitchell, P Posnette, F MacVarish, A Devlin, T Morgan, B Bartlett.

  MoM

  Tom Morgan

• 

  Fixture

  HSBC, 31 October 2009

  Result

  4 - 2 WIN ( B Grabham 3, A Lynn )

  Venue

  Home

  Report

  Sutton Valence 4th team welcomed HSBC 2nds on a typical wet and miserable Saturday morning. The 10am early start appeared to be more of an issue for the home side (especially James 'seeing double' Padwick and Stuart 'turtles head' Edmed) than the visitors and the first 15 minutes were open and very exciting. Some great work midway through the first half by Simon 'Pork chop' Davies and Bobby 'the Dazzler' Thompson resulted in a perfect ball to Rupert Humphrey who laid if off on the p spot where Ben Grabham was waiting to flick into the net. It has to be said that the keeper was incredible unlucky as it was straight at him and crept over the pads and under the box to squeeze through to the goal. HSBC came back hard and attacked well earning a series of short corners resulting in a penalty flick after Andy 'the mask' Mac unfortunately stopped the ball on the line, with a size 12.

  Valence hearts were in their hands as a confident player stepped up to face Rob 'the hulk' Sharp and he flicked to the top left corner. Valence hearts stopped but then were jumped back to life as the sound of a wooden stick coming into contact with the ball rang out over the silent astro. That was the spark.

  The second half started and Valence heads were up and within minutes, Andy 'goal machine' Lynn, casually played the ball around the keeper to make it 2. Ben Grabham inspired by this shortly after followed this up with another flick this time from a well worked short corner involving Rupert Humphrey and Mark Leader and the game looked finished. HSBC did not go quietly into the night and a still celebrating Valence were soon shaken up by a great run from their own half by the centre back who laid the ball off for the centre forward to squeeze the ball under a logging sharpie. The game carried on its pace and it was soon Ben Grabham who found another unmarked position at a short corner to make it 4. HSBC struck back with a 2nd late in the second half and they could have had a third had Gareth 'El Capitano' Davies pulled a cricketing shot to deny the waist high ball flying in at the back post. In all a sterling effort was called for from the Valence side with great running from the Mark 'the' Leader at sweeper and all the midfield to claim the 3 points from the visitors in what was surely the toughest challenge of the season to date.

  Team

  R Sharp, M Nettle, A MacVarish, G Davies, M Leader, B Grabham, S Edmed, R Humphrey, P Padwick, A Lynn, D Thompson, S Davies

  MoM

  Ben Grabham

• 

  Fixture

  Wellcome Unicorns, 31 October 2009

  Result

  2 - 0 WIN ( A Stamp, R Ashness )

  Venue

  Home

  Report

  SV played really well, from front to back - defence were working well together and a good understanding between the three and Olly is developing well, the central midfield pairing of Richard and Simon is giving us a real axis to play round and we are starting to get some good width down both flanks, whoever plays there.

  First half saw both teams have good possession with Valence having the best of the ball, and one of these moves saw Baker put in a great cross from the right for Stamp to excellently finish with a one touch strike at goal. Wellcome had a number of penalty corners, but the Valence back line defended excellently, with Aylott making a number of crucial blocks.

  Second half started in the same vein with both teams playing well. Valence again shaded the half and one of our penalty corners resulted in a great shot which the Wellcome keeper did well to parry, before a scuffed shot from Ashness gave us a 2-0 lead.

  After this Humphrey JR almost scored a fantastic volley, but missed by inches...a shocked Rupert felt he wouldn't even have seen the ball let alone made contact with it, watch out Rupert, think Charlie is after you 4th team place!!!

  The match ended 2-0, despite Wellcome putting pressure on our goal to get one back. That now puts us joint 2nd in our league. We go to Holcs on Saturday, who are in exceptional form but we are very confident of pinning them back and winning.

  Team

  Olly Alridge; Iain Simmons, Phil Morris, Nick Hall; Alan Day, Richard Ashness, Simon Aylott, Pradeep Parmar, George Thomas; Alex Stamp, Charlie Humphrey, Justin Baker, Dan Armstrong

• 

  Fixture

  Canterbury Friars, 31 October 2009

  Result

  1 - 4 LOSS ( H Humphrey )

  Venue

  Home

  Report

  The usual good spirited but competitive game against Canterbury saw the visitors in rampant mood and most of the initial pressure was from them on the Valence defence. After several repulsed attacks one finally got through and succeeded in scoring, but within two minutes Valence had replied with a similar run through the Canterbury defence finishing with an accurate strike from Henry Humphrey to even the game up.

  It would have been good it only it could have continued in like vein, but, as in other recent weeks, the opposition’s chances were too often converted whilst Valence’s similar shots were either well saved or just wide.

  For Valence the defence was as usual well marshalled by Gray Smith-Laing, with one fine save off the line at waist height. Dave Britton had a good spell in goal keeping the score respectable and Geoff Bell and Chris Dixon both put in solid performances. The midfield performed well with some excellent cut-outs by Harprit Dogra and Hamish Dow, a polished performance from ‘guesting’ John Knight and some energetic running from Hugh Robertson in his first game of the season. Up front Stuart Bates spearheaded the attack and came close several times whilst Henry Humphrey and Paul Linaker supported well.

  The team is slowly coming together, though suffering from a lack of regular players. With growing knowledge of each other’s positioning, more accurate passing and better use of short corners the results can only get better.

  At the Queen’s Head after the game Gray Smith-Laing was able to present to Canterbury the Tankard won by them over last season’s three games. On this showing, it is going to be a battle to get it back!

  Team

  Dave Britton; Geoff Bell; Chris Dixon; Gray Smith-Laing; Mike Nettle (part); Harprit Dogra; Hamish Dow; Stuart Bates; John Knight; Hugh Robertson; Henry Humphrey; Paul Linaker. Umpire: Nick Willson