An intrepid Sutton Valence 2nd team made the journey into the soon to be ULEZ zone to face a team from Blackheath and Eltham appropriately called the Highwaymen. Disappointingly for older members of the team, born in a time younger members now learn about in history lessons, Adam Ant was not being blasted out and no white nose stripes were in evidence. Typically for a 4pm push back the previous games were running late and, instead of going through their customary comprehensive warm up routine, Valence were forced to stand around in the cold. Leadership was needed, and sure enough up stepped Captain Gander to show them the way by applying some kind of Deep Heat like substance to all his exposed surfaces – no need for stretching now. Once eventually in the dug-out he followed this up with the kind of rapier sharp tactical insight his team have become used to; “Right, we’ve got thirteen, so I think that means one on the bench”.
Thus inspired a strong Valence team took to the field looking to avenge the heavy defeat they had suffered in the reverse fixture and indeed soon showed promise by dominating possession and territory and putting together some lovely passing moves. Eventually this pressure paid and they got their just rewards with Sheldon Snr’s hit being strong enough to get past the previously commanding masked Highwayman in goal.
However, Valence’s dominance inevitably meant they had lots of players forward and the Highwaymen made a number of attempts at a smash and grab, meaning Valence were reliant on the long arm of the law in the substantial shape of goalkeeper Ross Mackay to stay safe. Unfortunately, during one such attack Valence saw a glimpse of the sharp shooting skills that had served the opposition so well earlier in the season and frustratingly found themselves level at one all.
Undeterred the visitors continued to command the midfield and kept surging forward and creating chances without quite being able to find the finishing touch. One such opportunity saw the ball fall tantalisingly between Chris Sheldon and Tom Willson right in front of goal only for them to lock sabres with each other without any intervention from a Highwayman required.
Still, given the way Valence were playing confidence was high at half time and it proved justified with a second half performance possibly showcasing their best hockey of the season. First Barr found himself far enough away from any aspiring Dick Turpins to not possibly be blown up for a foul and manged to send the ball forward in front of Alex Hodges making one of his trademark galloping charges down the right hand side. Such was his pace that he had the ball in the back of the net before the Highwaymen could draw their pistols and this clearly dampened their spirits as much as the oncoming rain.
In fact, their attempts to threaten on the break were now being snuffed out in the midfield or solidly and skilfully repelled by the Valence defence before they were able to trouble Mackay. There then came a fantastic piece of play where a long ball found Duncan Wills high on the left and he instantly crossed the ball first time and inch perfect to an on-rushing Duncan Field who duly put the ball into the back of the net as though it was preordained, and no other outcome was ever possible. At that stage both teams knew the game was up and it ended 3-1 to the visitors which means they leapfrog their opponents into second place in the Division.
“Well done, you all played very well” sounds like something a minis coach might be saying on a Sunday, but it was truly an all-round strong performance by every single member of the Valence squad. It is therefore very difficult to single out one for man of the match, but if it were to be anyone it might be Sheldon Jnr who, thankfully inspired by Yeoh rather than Gander, seemingly managed to do everything, everywhere, all at once.

Goals: Chris Sheldon; Alex Hodges; Duncan Field.

Team: Ross Mackay; Alex Hodges; Alastair Robinson; Adrian Gander (C); Duncan Wills; Duncan Field; Ben Tragett; Tom Willson; Andy Barr; Chris Sheldon; James Abrahams; Steve Parker; Jack Sheldon.
Umpires: Provided by Blackheath & Elthamians HC.

Match report by Andy Barr.

Next week the 2nd Xl are away against Holcombe Hurricanes.