Shared Points in a game of Many Chances

Sutton Valence 3 Burnt Ash 3

An experienced Sutton Valence 2nd XI looked to improve on the Autumn away performance that resulted in a hard to swallow draw. The game in fact started well, with the home side getting much of the possession and controlling most of the first 20 minutes. Within this period Millington scored a well worked Short Corner Goal and at around the 25-minute mark Angel added a second. Strong running from Stille upfront, with Lee turning on the soft skills from the left featured heavily in the opening exchanges, However, even during this period of solid possession, the warnings were apparent with Burnt Ash looking to counter and flood the midfield at any opportunity. Whitmill was called on to intercept many a piercing ball, with Hodges often looking to be more advanced and Gander carrying a sore back since the warmup. It was unsurprising that the Burnt Ash reply came via this direct route, the initial effort was duffed and the follow up likewise, yet it still found the backboard. It was clear towards halftime that midfield engine of Willson and Tragett would be called upon to dig deep into calories throughout the game. However, going in ahead at half time was a fair reflection on the first half.

The second half saw a similar pattern of play, Sutton Valence pushing hard with Ash looking to counter, when Sheldon popped up to score and make the scoreline 3-1 it felt like the 3 points were in reach. However, the midfield engine started to overheat and we misfired upfront. On the few occasions when something was on target the Ash Keeper stood tall. The Ash comeback was on when they broke and created another one on one, Croucher saved the initial effort but the rebound fell back in the lap of the forward. Chances continued to fall to Sutton Valence but with a break by Ash and a squared ball to P Spot they had a tap in. A late Penalty corner was saved well by Ash and further chance of a P Flick was just not obvious enough to allow the two-way wireless comms to spring into life and offer a lifeline to the home side. Sutton Valence remained well positioned in the league to still challenge for honours but this will go down as 2 points lost. The game was played in very good spirits and was a credit to both sides, offering plenty of action to the neutral spectator and an example to the youngsters watching from the sidelines.
Report By: Lee Croucher

Goal: Tom Millington, Brett Angel, Chris Sheldon

Team:
Tom Millington
Brett Angel
Mark Whitmill
Chris Stille
Andrew Lee
Chris Sheldon
Tom Willson
Ben Tragett
Alex Hodges
Lee Croucher
Adrian Gander

Next Match: Gillingham (A) 13:45