Too many chefs spoiled the broth

Sutton Valence travelled to Canterbury finding themselves in the strange position of taking more players than normal (15 in total), as for the first time (ever) nearly all squad members were available..... and even stranger Chris Bailey who normally can’t manage to get to a game until 5 minutes after pushback was first to the pitch. Rotating players so everyone got a game, while keeping a solid structure was going to be SV’s biggest challenge.

Having lost the home fixture Sutton Valence knew that Canterbury would be a strong side, especially when playing at home. The game started with Canterbury taking the early initiative, retained the ball making SV chase the game. Some early chances were saved by Finlay Wishart, but 10 minutes into the half Canterbury scored and went 1:0 up.

The goal led to a 10 minute passage of play where SV dominated possession and they strung together some great play between defence, midfield and the attackers. With SV playing confidently Chris Sheldon split the Canterbury defence with a pin point pass to Dave Lewis who turns and slotted it past the keeper on his weak side….. in reality there is no weak side for Dave….. SV were back in the game.
As the half progressed Canterbury returned to how the game started and found the goal another 2 times before half time, both from open play. Had it not been for Finlay Wishart in goal SV could have found themselves another 2 or 3 down.

The halftime talk revolved around intensity and getting to the ball first in every challenge. Looking to regain that 10 minute form in the first half that resulted in a goal, SV started the second half in a higher gear.

The second half started and SV looked more solid, but as the changes to the squad were made during the half they found themselves never quite settled as a team. Numerous chances were saved by Finlay Wishart again, but Canterbury kept the pressure on the SV midfield and defence which resulted in another 3 goals being conceded. The game ended 6-1 to Canterbury, in a game they simply out classes Sutton Valence in. Man of the match was close between the two youngest players on the pitch. Dylan Queen had an excellent game in mid field and caused trouble for the solid Canterbury midfield, but it’s been awarded to Finlay Wishart for keeping the wolf at the door at more than one occasion, which ensured the scored didn’t reflect that of a rugby game.