Sutton Valence needed to take all 3 points this weekend to secure a 3rd place in the league, their highest finishing position for over 5 years. The game before saw torrential rain throughout, but the 3rd’s were treated to blue skies and what would turn out to be be the warmest day of the year!

The game started with both teams taking their fair share of possession and Rob Sharp (SV’s keeper) was required throughout the half to keep the opposition from scoring. After around 25 minutes of balanced play Sutton Valence finally broke the deadlock with Chris Sheldon opening up the scoring. The game went into half time SV 1-0 up. The team talk was focussed around doing more of the same, SV played well, but BBHC had played equally as well, so the 2nd half started off on a knife edge.

SV took the early advantage and went 2-0 up, which appeared to break BBHC’s morale as the floodgates then started to open. SV played with confidence and with a real sense of team work and goal after goal went in. In total SV put 7 goals in the second half, with Man of the Match Ryan Robinson taking credit for 4 of them. Rob Cockayne scored on his debut for the 3’s, while serial jug avoidance striker Chris Sheldon didn’t let the team down and scored 2 taking his jug avoidance total well into double figures for the season…. He’s become an expert of scoring 2 a game…. No more…. No less!

The game ended with SV winning 8-0, which I don’t think anyone expected after such a well-balanced first half. The 3 points saw SV leapfrog Herne Bay to secure a 3rd place league finish, a league position reflective of their strong performances since coming back from the Christmas break. With one more game to play, SV can just enjoy the game and look forward to the club hog roast on the 8th May as competition now turns to who’s won what trophies this year!