Valence 2s hold on to win in close game

On a cold late November morning, the 2s of Valence faced the might of Tunbridge Wells. With the traditional mid-Winter Saturday morning Whatsapp messages between the team of “It’s frozen in [insert location], is the game on?”, “It’s fine here in [insert location], so game must be on”, “Well, it’s rock solid here in [insert third location], so it can’t be on”, and so on, skipper Hall promised a “confirmation ball drop” would take place. With no negative message coming, the team made their way to the pitch, to find out that not only had the ball drop not taken place, but that no one even had the key to the Astro either. A slightly frustrated Wells team, looking far more awake than Valence, were waiting outside. Fortunately the school groundsman was passing on his morning walk, and let us all in. And people wonder why we’re referred to as a village team.

The pitch was playable, though a concerned Dazzler eyed the autumnal leaves with disgust. He tried but failed to get the rest of the team to help clear the leaves, so ran around like a puppy clearing them himself. It was perhaps the fastest he’s moved in 20 years.

On to the game, and Valence started in their traditional style – asleep and slow. Wells, with several youngsters, started with a spring in their step, and had the early running. Ross made a crucial clearance early on, and Dazzler made a fine deflection from a Wells flick, and for once Valence didn’t give their opponents a head-start on the scoreboard. Instead Valence got a foothold and started to dominate possession. Unfortunately, a lack of composure in finishing or playing the last pass, combined with some fantastic goalkeeping from the Wells keeper, kept the score goalless. At the other end, Wells were always dangerous on the break, with Ross having to make a couple of good saves. However, just when it looked to be going into half time 0-0, a goal of the season contender came out of nowhere. Another good attacking move gave Duncan Wills some space in the D, and he hit a rasping shot which the keeper yet again saved. The rebound came out to Tom Willson who, mustering the power of an asthmatic toddler, chose to push the ball ever so slowly straight at the keeper. Surprised, the previously catlike goaltender confused himself, allowing the ball to trundle on into the goal, nutmegging him in the process. And fortunately for Valence, there was no errant leaf to stop the ball’s momentum – we’ll give the assist to Dazzler! 1-0 halftime.

Into the second half, and the game initially carried on in the same vein – Valence on top, but Wells always a danger on the break. A couple of sloppy errors allowed Wells some clear chances, the clearest of all when the Wells forward was allowed the freedom of the whole D. Ross came to the rescue, smothering the initial chance, and having the quickness to then clear his lines as another Wells forward was ready to pounce.

As the half wore on, injuries were taking their toll on the team, and as the team tired, mistakes became more often, and Wells applied the pressure. As the minutes ticked on, defending became a little more desperate, with the ball continually coming back. Edmed, playing like he’d never been away, was immense, making strong tackle after strong tackle, so much that his shoes were applauding him. Ross continued having a fantastic game, as well as teaching the Wells youngsters some new swear words. We kept going to the end, and eventually saw out the game for a 1-0 win, putting the team back on the winning trail, and solidifying second place in the Division.

A good game, playing in good spirits on both sides, except for a couple of moments near the end of the game as tempers frayed. I think we can put that down to the competitive and close game, and tired heads. Thanks to the umps too - after a bad start when neither had got out of bed before the match was meant to start, they umpired really well – you’re not always going to agree with every decision, but they were decisive, fair, and good natured, which always leads to an enjoyable game.

On to the pub, where Wells, despite pushing us so close in the match, were annihilated at teas, which meant double portions for the home team, and some unusually high level topical discussions, with everything from immigration, religion, education, the state of farming in the UK, and whether it’s manly to drink a half of Guinness in a tiny glass, being debated.

MoM: Ross Mackay, though close with John Edmed

Goal: Tom Willson.

Team: Ross Mackay; Ollie Sheldon; Adrian Gander; John Edmed; Ben Tragett; Andy Barr; Darren Thompson; Chris Sheldon; Alastair Robinson; Tom Willson; Nick Hall; Chris Stille; Ed Hawes-Gatt; Duncan Wills.
Umpires: Alex Stamp; Lewis Mitchell; Chris Johnson.

Match report by Tom Willson.

Next week the 2nd Xl are at home at 09:45 against Blackheath & Elthamians Dynamos.