Late game in wet conditions

Sutton Valence 3s took the hit for some higher team shortages and a late game (PB 16:30), which started even later around 17.00 due to an earlier match injury delay. Having waited in the chilled winds and light rain, Valence were slow to start; Maidstone were not, scoring two quick goals in the first 10 minutes whilst Valence were sorting themselves out. The first was a defensive error, Wishart missing a tackle with allowed Maidstone to score from the top of the D; the second was just a well taken shot by them.

Willmott, Hodges and Wishart moved to playing a ‘flying diamond’ at the back around the Maidstone attack, Bailey (sweeper) using his legs to find space and Tragett, Duckett and Cavell working the midfield more. This combined effort allowed Valence to press and defend higher, giving Maidstone much less space through the middle or down the left to play the ball. With increased possession and control, Jake Van de Gaag and Chris Sheldon started being able to play into the Maidstone D. And so the game accelerated in pace, control and speed of passing with Valence using their bare 11 players well against Maidstone’s squad of around 15/16. Several good saves by the Maidstone keeper from short corners meant Valence were not able to close the gap before half -time.

The second half saw Valence continuing to try to find a way past the Maidstone keeper, who pulled off a number of excellent saves at close quarters. Alex Duckett, playing his first senior game, managed an excellent floated chip shot from the top of the D only to see it saved as the keeper deflected it with a pad for a long corner. Due to the late running of the game, Valence were reduced to 10 players for the last 20 minutes, during which Maidstone managed to score from a short corner and a penalty flick. Valence maintained their pressure and got some reward in the final minute when a great pass from Gareth Davies across the goal allowed Chris Sheldon to get past the keeper.
Though Valence lost, there was satisfaction that everyone had played above themselves, especially those who had stepped up from the 4th Xl because of the lateness of the game.

MoM: Alex Duckett