Eight-Goal Thriller Sees Valence Share Points in Season Finale

In the final game of the season, Sutton Valence Men’s 2s travelled to the temporary home of K Sports at Thomas Aveling School on a hot and sunny March afternoon, looking to finish a difficult second half of the campaign with a strong performance. With injuries across the club taking their toll, Sutton Valence arrived with the bare eleven. Spirits dipped slightly during the warm up as it became clear the hosts had seemingly strengthening the squad after Sutton Valence’s heavy victory in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. Despite this, the Sutton Valence side were confident in their own quality and determined to put in a performance to end the season on a high.

The first half proved to be one of the most eventful of the season, producing seven goals along with plenty of robust challenges in the midfield battle. K Sports struck first after a series of slick passes, eventually converting after multiple early chances. Sutton Valence responded quickly, with Sheldon firing home from close range to level the score.

K Sports regained the lead soon after, cutting through the midfield again to win a penalty corner which was dispatched with an unstoppable drag flick into the side netting. Sutton Valence refused to be shaken and began to grow into the game, stringing together passes and using their pace out wide to pin the opposition back. A strong defensive interception allowed Hodges to break down the right, beating multiple players before finding Alex inside the D, who applied a neat deflection straight from the Carter training ground playbook to make it 2-2.

The heat began to take its toll on the Sutton Valence eleven, but the midfield continued to battle hard as the game opened up. Another short corner saw K Sports edge back in front, but Sutton Valence again responded in style, with goals from Sandberg and a second from Sheldon turning the game around to give the visitors a 4-3 lead at half time after an action packed opening period.

The second half continued in much the same fashion, with both sides covering every blade of the pitch despite the rising temperature. Sutton Valence created a number of chances to extend the lead, the closest coming when the Sutton Valence captain took a quick free hit, driving into the D and forcing a sharp save from the keeper. K Sports, however, began to rely heavily on their experienced players, using aerial balls and quick passing moves to break through the Valence press and push the defence deeper.

As the game entered the closing stages, K Sports piled on the pressure searching for an equaliser, but Sutton Valence defended stubbornly with every player putting their body on the line. A Sutton Valence free hit was gained however the captain having been so focussed on the game thought that they were behind, a momentary slip of concentration due to wanting to push the team high up the pitch to secure another goal meant that he took the 16 far too quickly and was intercepted to leave the defence unprepared for a sudden attack so deep into the game. This provided K sports with the opportunity to bring the game level. Sutton Valence pushed forward immediately from the restart, carving out one last attack down the left, but the final chance was forced wide as the whistle blew.

In a fiercely contested and highly entertaining match, both sides had to settle for a share of the points. Sutton Valence wishes K Sports the best of luck in their final game of the season. As Sutton Valence finish the season with plenty of positives to take forward, and will now look to the summer to recover, rebuild fitness, and return to South East Division Five Invicta next season with their sights firmly set on the top of the table

Goals: Chris Sheldonx2, Alex Sandbergx2

Report By: Harrison Sharpe

Team:
Alex Hodges
Andrew Hornsey
Chris Sheldon
Ben Tragett
Brett Angel
Harrison Sharpe
Steve Parker
Russel Blanchard
Chris Stille
Mark Whitmill
Alex Sandburg