Valence 2nds beat Division leaders in tight game

After last week’s late loss to a very strong Gore Court side, Valence arrived at the Senior School bright and early looking for a better performance and hopefully a point or 3 on the board. Visitors this week were top of the table Burnt Ash who had beaten Valence 8-1 at their ground earlier in the season.
Valence started strongly, kept most of the ball and carved out numerous chances in what the crowd, (Duncan Wills), commented was the best period of play by the 2s this season.
Valence scored early, after some good work by Chris Sheldon and Chris Stille in the D left Ed Hawes-Gatt slamming home a loose ball into the bottom right, 1-0. However, Burnt Ash quickly hauled themselves back to 1-1 from a short corner that was deflected in.
SV didn’t let their heads drop and with the midfield of Tom, Trags & Ed passing things around nicely and with Alastair, Andy & Alex out wide making great runs forward meant that we were creating chance after chance for S&S up front.
Not long after Burnt Ash had equalised, Valence won a short corner that Ed injected for Sheldon to fire a great shot into the bottom corner, 2-1.
Minutes later and another short corner for SV, this time, a rather messy one-two between Ed and Sheldon but the same result, another short corner goal for Sheldon, 3-1.
Burnt Ash were starting to come into the game and had a few chances, one of which was scored from a rebound after an initial save from Ross in goal, 3-2. But SV were not to be deterred and quickly converted another two short corners in a similar manner, no variation needed, Sheldon seemingly having saved all his goals for the season for this one 20 minute period, 4-2 & 5-2.
Half time arrived and what a performance from SV. Duncan Wills put some fire in their bellies and off they went knowing they needed another strong 35 to ensure they were going to walk off with 3 points.
Burnt Ash had galvanised their team and came out strong from the off. They scored pretty quickly from a passing move finished off at the back post, 5-3. Nick, James & Steve were under a lot of pressure in defence but were dealing well with everything coming their way and Ross picking up some great saves from anything that did slip past the defence.
Despite being pushed back in their half for large portions of the 2nd half Valence were holding their own and still looked threatening when going forwards. Alex, Chris Stille & Ed all having great shots either saved or narrowly off target. They even won 3-4 more short corners although the magic from the first half had disappeared and nothing came of them.
With 10 minutes to go, Valence lost Tom Willson to injury and Burnt Ash managed to score a rather scrappy goal to set up a tense final few minutes, 5-4. Right at the end Burnt Ash even had a glorious chance to equalise but Ross pulled off a super save to secure all three points and a deserved win to celebrate over their sausage, chips and beans at the Queen’s Head.
Another 9-goal thriller between the two sides but this time in Valence’s favour. Captain Nick hadn’t had his fill of goals and rushed off to watch another 9 goal classic with Chatham beating Billericay 6-3.
Next week Valence are away to BBHC, let’s hope they turn up this time.
It should hopefully be time to welcome back Charlie Tucker, having recovered from the injury that has been keeping him out, which was definitely not alcohol related, as the team joke had pretended.

Goals: Chris Sheldon (4); Ed Hawes-Gatt (1).

Team: Ross Mackay (gk); Nick Hall (c); Steve Parker; James Abrahams; Ben Tragett; Tom Willson; Andy Barr; Alastair Robinson; Ed Hawes-Gatt; Alex Hodges; Chris Sheldon; Chris Stille.

Match report by Ed Hawes-Gatt.

Next week the 2nd Xl are away against BBHC 3rd Xl at the Avery Hill Complex, SE9 2UG at 14:00.