SV 4's - Enjoy their Saturday Match

First game of the season saw a very different Sutton Valence 4s team, where we combined youth with seasoned players. It was different because all the youngsters have enjoyed their summer, most of them adding a few inches in height, weight and confidence too.

The opening friendly game against Ashford 6's saw Ashford arrive without a keeper, choosing to play with kicking back. Gentleman's agreement with umpires at any short corners would be moved to long corners to avoid injuries.

SV started slowly and adjusting to youth and new players in key positions. Rob Harrison moving to Centre Forward, Duncan Field joining at right half, James Hodges at right back , Kirkham' boys at left half and right wing and Alex Sandberg at left wing. Nick Hall/Chris Jackson, James Abraham and myself in normal positions with Finlay as Keeper.

First half saw plentiful goals for SV where we closed at 35 mins 5-0 up. Goals by Rob Harrison (2), Alex Sandberg (2), Duncan Field (1), much good work done in passing the ball and much better work in defending too.

Second Half was a quick turnaround as old age now requires it now (Author's comment) with goalkeepers swapping teams, so Finlay played for Ashford which now presented a real target for SV's attacks. Rob Harrison now looking to see how much more coaching Finlay needs, receives the ball moves to the right of the D and fires a hard shot, threaded between the gap from Finlay's pad and his post (a gap of 6-10 inches). Great Goal.

Ashford never down-hearted continued to play with verve and were always prepared to push forward, when with SV at 9 men, they scored a well worked goal.

Friendlies are all about practicing and enjoying the game which was played in a good spirit.