As with last week, rinse and repeat

Sutton Seconds travelled back in time to play New Beccs at the old Midland Bank sports and social facilities. Not a lot had changed since SV's previous match, as Sutton started slowly, struggled to string more than three passes together and gave the ball away cheaply. All this helped to build New Beccs' confidence and wind Sutton up. Some early chat with the umpire added to the general confusion and set the tone for an uninspiring hockey game. Sutton probably had more opportunities and class, though lost the final pass or dribbled in to the able New Beccs defence. In the first half neither keeper having many or any shots on target to save.

The half time message from the evergreen Captain Fantastic was clear, 'Pass to a red'. Sutton promised to start the second half keeping the ball with fast short passing which seemed to work and Sutton started to look dangerous. However, New Beccs forced play into the Sutton Valence D and a well struck, deflected shot hit the backboard. 1 nil.

While there was not capitulation, SV lost a bit of discipline, three players visited the sin bin, the disruption meant poor marking and passing ensued. Valence were lucky to only be 1 nil down and it felt it was going to be one of those days. Back up to a full complement, but running out of time the team dug in. A ricochet shot flew 8ft high across the goal where Walker expertly picked the ball out of the sky and directed it into the goal. 1-1... The game closed with New Beccs feeling it was a fair result and Sutton feeling relief and frustration in equal measures!