A Winter Warmer

Valence welcomed the Folkestone 4th XI with memories still fresh of the recent away game against the Optimist 3rd team when a 4 : 0 Valence half time lead was eroded in the second half, before a nervy victory.

The home team were boosted by the returning strong trio of Chris Back, Tim Wilcher and Andrew Turnill and started well with a passing game and a level of cohesion rarely seen in Sutton Valence colours. It was not long before they forced a penalty corner and the strike was deflected in by Pitch Captain Angel. 1 Nil. Next, a beautiful Wilcher aerial to Turnill, was squared to Back to tap in. 2 Nil. Shortly after, Back found himself in the D and tried a reverse stick strike, from which, to his amazement he scored. 3 Nil. Valence were on a role and soon found themselves in the visitor’s D again, in the scramble the ball fell to Back, who found the backboard once more. 4 Nil up in the space of 10 minutes and a hattrick for Back.
Folkestone had some feisty younger players who were always dangerous on the break, and though generally, the excellent Sutton Valence defence ‘had it covered’, with a loose tackle the home team conceded a penalty corner. Folkestone pulled a goal back with an accurate top corner drag flick. 4 – 1.
Folkestone forced a bit more pressure and the home team hit the panic button leading to some green cards. Irritated by being one of the sin-binned, Turnill sought to right the wrong back on the pitch, by heading straight into the D and setting up Willson to slot home. 5-1. He wasn’t done there though, as more pressure on the visitors’ D gained yet another short corner, and Turnill’s drag flick found the net. 6-1.
In the second half the magic and composure of the first was difficult for Valence to find, and maybe they are not as fit as they would like to be! Folkestone threw caution to the wind and tried to force their attackers to sit higher. Valence’s response was initially strong. Wilcher supplied what can only be described as a ‘perfect aerial’ to put Turnill in an acre of space behind the Folkestone defence, with only the keeper to beat. Time stopped, luckily Turnill didn’t, he never really looked in control, he made the angle difficult, but he did score the ‘crucial’ 7th! On a hattrick, Turnill seized his opportunity and fired home again shortly afterwards. 8-1.
Now, 8-1 to the good, playing at home, midway through the second half, most teams would enjoy the experience. Not even Valence could throw it away at that point, but there was certainly an opportunity to ‘lose the plot’ for a bit. A conceded short corner resulted in a shot heading just wide of the right-hand post, until, that is, Rob Ife stepped outside the post and directed the ball behind keeper Wishart! 8-2.
Luckily that was the crowning of the relapse and Valence once again decided that they were the better team, with the ever-enthusiastic Walker bagging a brace in the closing stages to top it off. 10-2 final score.
Keeper Finlay Wishart was commended on his second-team debut.

MOM: Tom Willson (Box to box midfield performance)