The first match back from the festive break is without a doubt one of the hardest games of the season, with players returning from nearly a month of sitting on their backsides eating too much and drinking even more. This year was no exception, with every player turning up complaining of their festive plumpness, reinforced by breathing difficulties due to the remnants of the winter flu doing the rounds.

With Vice Captain Adrian winning the toss and choosing to go downhill in the first half, Old Wills acted with decorum and started the game in a friendly manner, passing it to the Sutton Valence midfield, who turned out to be the dominant force throughout the game.

The first quarter of the match was high paced and with a strong level of intensity, with both Sutton Valence and Old Wills stringing a number of fine passing moves together, both looking keen to get the first goal.

After 20 minutes, the deadlock was broken, initiated by an (out of character) skilful run by Tom Willson from the SV twenty-three into the opposingly D, breaking through half a dozen tackles in the process, to slip the ball to Rob Cockayne, ever lurking on the penalty spot, to slot in past the keeper.

An unmarked and unchallenged Alastair Robinson didn’t miss a great opportunity to score in the D, not at all. *cough* AIR SHOT!!! *cough*

Old Wills fought back hard, however to little avail. Rob Cockayne won a free hit on the edge of the D which was taken quickly to try and draw in the defender for a guaranteed short corner on account of him not being the regulated distance away, which did not transpire, but he slipped in under the arm to Tom Bartlett, to tuck in a cheeky finish. Two nil at half time.

Sutton Valence were ready to Old Wills to come out of the blocks at the start of the second half, but the defence lead by Adrian Gander were on top form. SV midfield started to stretch the game, with Alex Hodges, Ben Tragett, Jack Sheldon and Alastair Robinson stretching the game and finding plenty of space.

Duncan (not so old) Wills managed to bag himself a goal after receiving the ball in the D, given a surprising amount of time to wind up he cracked one into the bottom corner of the goal.

Old Wills managed to hit the post on one occasion, only to fluff in a second shot, much to the disappointment of rather vocal goalkeeper Ross Mackay who was having a blinder of a game.

Chris Sheldon secured the fourth goal, the details of which are blurry, but it definitely happened. Sheldon was unfortunate not to get a second minutes later as a Cockayne short corner hit whizzed past him, ideal for a dink in, but just too fast.

Cockayne scored the fifth and final goal, the hard work of which was done by Chris Sheldon, who went to wind up for a big hit, only to deceive the defenders and keeper, to slip it to Cockayne on the penalty spot for a slap in under a diving keeper.

All in all, the game was well mannered and even from both sides, with Sutton Valence just more clinical in the middle and up front.

5-1 to Sutton Valence leading into an away game at Burnt Ash next week.

Team: Ross Mackay; Nick Hall; Adrian Gander; Jack Sheldon; Chris Sheldon; Duncan Wills; Darren Thompson; Alex Hodges; Ben Tragett; Alastair Robinson; Tom Willson; Charlie Tucker; Rob Cockayne.

Goals: Rob Cockayne (2), Tom Bartlett, Duncan Wills, Chris Sheldon.