1st Xl start with a win

Saturday morning. Sutton Valence Prep School. The autumn winds beginning to blow away the summer sun. It was cold, but not too cold. The weather called out for something special, and as the gales swirled around the pitch, they seemed to foreshadow the high-octane game that was about to witnessed.
After an invigorating midweek-game the Valence massive arrived raring to go. But with the 3s still finishing their match we took to the car park for an extensive warm up led by Lewis Mitchell. Coming back to the pitch we were eager to get started.
The youthful Canterbury side looked ready to put up a fight against a Valence side boosted by returning players like Louis Robinson and club veteran Rob Bray.
Pushback, and Valence straight onto the attack. Fed through Lewis Mitchell and Fred McVarish in the centre of the park, strikers Jack Davies and Kevin Kirkham managed to produce numerous early chances.
Bolstered by some early substitutions Valence continued to knock at the door. After sensational runs from Brett Angel and the rest of the midfield, Davies eventually scrambled the ball into the net. 22 minutes. A whole match to go. Valence were urged to keep focused by Stewart Young and Ryan Robinson from the back.
Canterbury fought back, led by a silver-tipped striker, they attacked with pace and creativity. But they were no match for the Sutton Valence backs. Angus McVarish and Russ Blanchard either side of Ryan Robinson and James Stanford made for a solid defence and held off the Polo Farm 11.
Half-time team talks revolved around holding structure and keeping focus. Valence spread back out again facing off once more. The second half continued along the same lines as the first and was hotly contested. But again, Valence enjoyed the majority of possession but couldn't quite manage to produce a goal.
Thery win a short corner, and up steps Stanford to the top of the D. A brief discussion with the boys at the top gives a plan. The drag out is good, clean to Kirkham at the top. Stanford glides forward, spurred on by fan support, he flicks the ball right. That's right, he actually put it right. The keeper stepped the wrong way and the goal is good. 49 minutes.
A slightly more comfortable Valence continued to hold possession through the second half. With charging runs from backs Ryan Robinson and Angus McVarish, and the support of super sub Timmy Wilcher, Valence continued to look threatening.
With the game closing out, Stanford saw one last opportunity to show off to those in the crowd. A big aerial. With the confidence of his goal behind him he scooped the ball. It went up, but not forwards, no. The ball flew cross-field to be picked up by a Canterbury forward. Canterbury took advantage of the mistake and created a 4 v 2 attack. They looked sure to score. However, a courageous double save from keeper Young and a subconscious clearance from Louis Robinson saved the day.
Valence fought on but there wasn't enough time for another goal.
Final score: 2 – 0
Scorers: Jack Davies; James Stanford.
MoM: James Stanford
DoD: Alex Stamp

Team: Stewart Young; Russell Blanchard; Rob Bray; Ryan Robinson; Angus McVarish; James Stanford; Louis Robinson; Lewis Mitchell; Fred McVarish; Jack Davies; Alex Stamp; Kevin Kirkham; Brett Angel; Tim Wilcher.
Umpires: Andrew Wishart and Rupert Humphrey

Next week Sutton Valence 1st Xl will be looking to produce a similarly dynamic performance away against Deal 1st Xl next weekend.
Match Report by Louis Robinson (Translated by Stewart Young)