Magnificent Seven

SV travelled to Bromley & Beckenham for their penultimate league game of the year.

Having parked their cars and carried out an extensive warm up getting back to the pitch, Andy T warmed up the fence behind the goal. Whilst 21 players & 2 umpires were ready to play skipper Andy Lee had to take an important phone call, once he had ordered his post game pizza the game got under way.

A long aerial ball from push back immediately put SV on the back foot and keeper Stewart Young did well to prevent a goal within 60 seconds at the expense of a short corner. Fortunately the B&B drag flick specialist was unable to display his skills when his stopper miscontrolled the push.

Valence recovered quickly and started playing good hockey. A fine team move saw Tom Willson's shot kicked while goal bound and a penalty flick was awarded. Up stepped Slacko and, playing the percentages, unleashed an unstoppable flick to the top left corner 1-0.

B&B looked like they would be a threat but valence grew stronger and the defence held firm, marshalled by Slacko who was in inspired form.

More fluent team hockey led to a sharp finish from Tom Willson past the advancing keeper for 2-0 lead

B&B were starting to become rattled and could not stop valence scoring again through Chris Stille after good work from Andy T.

Not to be outdone Andy T then added a fourth to take a 4-0 lead into half time.

B&B were expected to come out all guns blazing in the 2nd half but valence continued to dominate and soon added a 5th, scoring again through a finely struck short corner from honorary right back Ben Tragett.

Andy T added a 6th, with a deft touch after a fine run and pass from Slacko, before hitting the crossbar with an LBZ soon after.

With Christmas looming the defence were in charitable mood, gifting B&B a consolation goal and Rob Ife made a fine goal line clearance before Andy Turnill showed how a penalty corner should be dispatched - into the roof of the net with the final hit of the game.

A fine team display, 12 man of the match performances and back to the top of the league.