Valence arrived at K Sports expecting a close contest. After a few last-minute withdrawals, stand-in Captain Rob Cockayne made a bold tactical experiment, electing to play four at the back in a classic 4-4-2 formation.
The game started evenly with K Sports looking to set a high tempo and beat Valence with speed. Valence were countering well, making good use of the open spaces in the K Sports midfield and eventually took the lead through a crisp short corner strike from Duncan Wills. Perennial goal-scorer Rob Cockayne soon doubled the lead with a classic tap in.
At this, the K Sports heads started to drop giving Valence more time and space to start dictating the play. K Sports misery was compounded further when Wills added his second. A far post tap in from even closer than Cockayne's. Cockayne tried to add a fourth before half time only for his first attempt to hit one post and his second attempt to skim the other post leaving him in heap on the floor in disbelief.
Unfortunately Wills was unable to complete his hat-trick, having to leave at half time due to work commitments but Valence did not let this slow them down at all in the second half, adding four further goals in second half all through Cockayne (rumour has it that he is physically unable to pass the ball in the attacking D). A particular highlight being Valence cutting through the heart of the K Sports side with a two pass move from a defensive 16 hit to allow Cockayne to slot the ball home at the other end.
All over the pitch Valence put in good performances. Early season rustiness showed here and there but these moments were quickly forgotten. The second half midfield engine of Sheldon, Hodges and Bartlett found lots of space in the centre of the park and the new look 4-man Valence defence smothered any hopes of a K Sports comeback, supported with a number of saves from new goalkeeper Ross Mackay who deservedly earned his first clean sheet in only his second-ever game.

Goals: Cockayne (5), Wills (2)

Team: Ross Mackay, James Abrahams, Adrian Gander, Charlie Tucker, Andy Bye, Alastair Robinson, Duncan Field, Tom Bartlett, Chris Sheldon, Alex Hodges, Rob Cockayne, Duncan Wills.
Umpires: Provided by home team.

Next week Valence face Folkestone 6th Xl at home, looking to right the wrongs of last season and continue the success of this week.

Match report by James Abrahams.