1st Xl lose but hold position

Wet, late and gloomy, a perfect summary of the Sutton Valence 1s team turnout, with weather to match. An overrunning, preceding game led to an almost non-existent warm up and a slow start, Sutton Valence once again fielding a side deficient of players in key positions due to injuries and unavailability. However, they were initially looking strong and on top when a short corner was stopped by a Blackheath and Elthamian foot on the line. Kevin Kirkham sanctioned the first of two penalty flicks into the top left corner to put the home team ahead. The lead was short lived as the visiting team drag flicked their first short corner into the top left, followed shortly after with a deflection in off the back post. Valence levelled late on in the first half with a Kirkham special from an acute angle. The scores remained level for a battling period in the second half with opportunities both ends keeping the goalies honest and warm. The closest opportunity came when Alex Stamp put a rocket just past the top corner leaving the fans gasping [sic]. The home side pushed hard but, with energy levels sapping, a drop in concentration saw those playing out of place revert to their more usual positioning. Gaps opened as a result and, over-run at the back, the home side surrendered two quick goals. Valence were chasing for a win, desperate to stabilise their slipping League position and at 2 – 4 brought the deficit back to a single goal with another Kirkham penalty flick from an illegally blocked short corner. Unfortunately, their efforts to push forward to score, conversely allowed the same at the other end. The visitors kept going and got more excited as the pitch got wetter resulting in a few more going past the spider-like scrambling of Stewart Young. Final score 6-3.

Goals: Kevin Kirkham (3)

Mom: Andy Turnill
Dod: Alex Stamp

Team: Stewart Young, Russell Blanchard, Tim Wilcher, Chris Johnson, Jack Davies, Andy Turnill, Chris Back, Marius Dreyer, Brett Angel, Alex Stamp, Johnny Walker, Kevin Kirkham.
Umpire: Lewis Mitchell

Next fixture: 9th November away to Gore Court 3XI 15:00 PB

Match Report by Alex Stamp and Stewart Young