Sutton Valence began strongly, matching the home side’s early attacks. Both teams showed signs of rust after the summer break, with passing proving inconsistent, but the intensity was there from the off.

The deadlock was broken midway through the first half when SVHC earned a short corner. Willmott’s thunderous strike rattled the post, but Stile reacted quickest, slotting home the rebound at the second attempt. Anchorians responded with a moment of brilliance, levelling with a lifted backhand strike of national-league quality.

Sutton Valence regained the advantage before half-time. Another short corner, this time a slick, choreographed routine, again brought the Willmott–Stile combination into play, with a neat pass and clean finish making it 2–1 at the break.

The second half saw both sides struggle for fitness, with midfield spaces opening up. Anchorians struck back against the run of play, levelling the score at 2–2. Shortly afterwards, the hosts mounted a well-worked end-to-end move that stretched the Sutton Valence players and created space for another clinical finish. The goal was converted by the Anchorians’ star striker.

As the game entered its final stages, the hosts took what they thought might be the decisive lead with a scrappy effort that squeezed under keeper Ross, who had otherwise been dependable throughout.

Sutton Valence, to their credit, kept their composure and worked a fine passage of play, calmly finished by Sandberg to bring the score to 3–3. The closing minutes were tense, with Anchorians pushing hard.

Both sides would have hoped to take all three points, but a point apiece could be viewed as a good result for either team. Sutton Valence now look ahead to returning home to the mighty fortress next week and building on their opening gambit.

Report By: James Willmott

Team:
Ross Mackay
Nick Hall (c)
James Willmott
James Abrahams
Rod Harcourt
Alastair Robinson
Stuart Edmed
Alex Sandberg
Alex Hodges
Alex Stanford
Chris Stile
Mark Whitmill

Goals:
Stile x2
Sandberg x1

Next Match: SVHC 3 VS Gravesham & Wellcome 4