Sutton Valence 2s returned to winning ways at the weekend, and took the promotion race to the final week, with a 7-3 win against the frolicking unicorns of Gravesham and Wellcome. For a change, the 2s won warm up this week, though only due to Gravesham not having one at all after turning up to the wrong pitch. But once started, the match began relatively evenly. Valence probed, but couldn’t find a final pass, while Gravesham relied on some long hits to their lurking forward to create some chances. Eventually though, the greater pressure from Valence told, as Willson found the senior Sheldon in the D with his back to goal, and he turned well and hit a bobbler past the keeper.

This started a SV encampment in the Gravesham half, and chances started coming along aplenty. Most fell to club leading scorer Rob Cockayne, whose tales of “one chance, one goal” before the game had set expectations high. Unfortunately the radar was more than ‘a little off’, and on several occasions the commentator could be heard to state “…and Cockayne misses”.

SV eventually did go 2 up, after lovely work from the middle Sheldon, who slipped the ball to Cockayne. The large crowd held their breath as Cockayne miss-hit past the keeper. All current evidence was that the ball was likely going wide, so Sheldon Snr tapped in to make sure. There was still time for one final flourish before half time, as a flowing one touch move begun from Gander at the back and through the midfield, tore through Gravesham, before a final cross from Willson found Cockayne in front of goal. A hush descended on the proceedings…..but Cockayne missed.

Into the second half, and a familiar story took shape. SV dominated, created plenty of chances which, more often than not, found their way to the man who has dominated the club scoring charts for the last few years. And each time…..Cockayne missed.

It took the two Duncans to show the way, as Field first robbed the beautifully coiffured opposition left back, and then put a peach of a cross to Wills who finished at the back post for 3-0. Almost immediately, Valence won a short corner. The push from Sheldon was lovely, the stop and switch from Tragett was sublime, and then Cockayne drew back his “lethal” bow. The team were already turning round to face the inevitable 16 yard hit…..but Cockayne scored!

Valence were flying, but difficult times were coming. It’s probably fair to say that a degree of cockiness took over, with comments of “we can’t make it 5 or people will think it’s a walkover”. Valence dropped their pace, and Gravesham fought their way back. First one scrappy goal where Valence had multiple chances to clear, then a much better second after their best move of the match. Valence did re-increase their lead when Olly Sheldon played a wonderful ball into the D to his father, who beat his man and unleashed an Exocet into the far corner. But that didn’t galvanise Valence, and Gravesham got another back to make it 5-3. A game that had looked like Valence’s all match was suddenly entering squeaky bum time as Gravesham’s confidence bubbled.

Gravesham found their way into the D again, and produced an LBZ out of nowhere. Whether it was on target for the goal we’ll never know, but it was definitely on target for James Abraham’s face, or at least part of his beard. Calmly, outwardly at least, James plucked the shot out of the air with his stick, conserving both his handsome bushy features, and Valence’s two goal lead. This finally seemed to drive Sutton to find their stride again. In a carbon copy of the third goal, Field once again robbed the left back in the corner after sterling shadowing from Jack Sheldon. Maybe that thumb should remain strapped all season, as again Field produced a perfect cross that found Cockayne rather than Wills at the back post this time. Being only 10cm out, even he made no mistake this time, and Gravesham’s hearts slumped. The comeback was extinguished, and all that was left was for Sheldon Snr to get his fourth after another lovely passing move from the team.

Down to the pub for double sausage, chips and beans, with Gravesham annihilated at teas. There was hope that Cockayne would be down to purchase his hat-trick evasion jug…..but Cockayne was missed.

MoM: Difficult to pick from the Sheldon family, as all played well. So we’ll give it to all of them.

Goals: Chris Sheldon (4); Rob Cockayne (2); Duncan Wills.

Team: Ross Mackay; Nick Hall; Adrian Gander; James Abrahams; Tom Willson; Rob Cockayne; Chris Sheldon; Jack Sheldon; Olly Sheldon; Ben Tragett; Duncan Wills; Charlie Tucker; Duncan Field.
Umpires: Andy McVarish; John Edmed.

Match report by Tom Willson.

Next week the 2nd Xl are at home for their penultimate game of the season against Old Williamsonians 5th Xl.
On the 15th April they play the re-arranged home game against Sevenoaks 8th Xl that was abandoned due to pitch conditions in February.