SV2s Pressure a Win against Herne Bay 3s

SV2s win opening friendly.

Sutton Valence 2nd Xl 3 : 1 Herne Bay 3rd Xl (Willson 2; Stamp)
This was a game that always had the potential of being a one sided affair with SV 2nd XI a league above their opponents. Although Herne Bay were only able to travel with 11 men they played well and contested throughout, showing good fitness levels at this stage in the season. Their league match with SV 3s will be a much closer contest and an encounter to look forward to.
Both team's held possession well early on and moved the ball around with confidence more reminiscent of a game played later in the season. Sutton Valence made a few good breaks early on but weren't quite able to capitalise. The home team maintained a high defensive line limiting Bay's options in attack. At the back they worked well as a unit, repelling the away team's efforts going forward, and picking out the long cross balls into the D.
SV kept the pressure on upfront winning a brace of short corners the second of which led to the first goal with Tom Willson picking off the cross ball back in. Despite a few attacks at both ends the half ended with just the single goal separating the two teams.
The second half continued in much the same vein, with the home team dominating possession and soon adding to the score sheet. Alex Stamp, in his inaugural 2nd XI game, clinically deflecting the ball past the Herne Bay keeper. At two goals down the visitors weren't going to let Sutton Valence have it all their own way. They had a good attacking spell that saw them half the deficit, and almost equalise from a short corner if it wasn't for Russ Blanchard clearing the ball off the line, proving that a summer spent on the golf course is a summer well spent!
Sutton Valence came close on a number of occasions during the remainder of the second half, but were only able to add to the scoreline on one occasion. Tom Willson, having assisted with the second goal, doubled his tally for the day with their third.