2nd Xl start well but lose in second half

So, with the third game of the season set to commence, the autumnal feel was laid down on a rainy Saturday morning, which reinforced the fact that the hockey season was here again. However, Sutton Valence arrived in good spirits, when they finally arrived, as time keeping this season needs some serious attention!
Valence won the toss, took the pushback, and carried on the intensity of last week, setting the pace early on. However, the Canterbury team had a mixture of mature and slightly younger players, which gave them a good balance of pace and accurate passing, which slightly deterred Valence from a completely dominant first half, but they saw a lot of possession, good passing in the midfield, getting the ball into the D allowing them to gain some early short corners.
It took them several attempts at the short corners to get their strike organised, but after moving players around and working the best format, finally a shot from the top by Chris Sheldon found the back board, Valence went in front 1-0.
Having got themselves organised, the next short corner was swiftly earned, again from an error in the D, which again found a shot from the top, but deflected into the path of Richard Turnill, who lifted the shot past the keeper into the net, Valence 2-0.
Sutton Valence kept the ball moving around, using all the width of the pitch, linking play from the defence to the midfield, in fact, it is probably the best they have played so far this season. The first half closed, and Valence felt they had the game under control, there was little to change, and were back out on to the pitch early to show their intentions to Canterbury.
Unfortunately, Valence may have peaked a little early, and as their form from the first half swiftly disappeared, Canterbury, who had obviously had a more informative half time discussion, took control of the game, with Sutton Valence finding themselves chasing the possession.
Canterbury found their feet and upped their passing game, taking full advantage of the younger element of their team, who found space in the midfield and switched on their attacking mode. They continued to press into the Valence half, giving themselves several opportunities and the first goal was a cheeky LBZ past the keeper, which trickled its way into the left corner, 2-1.
Sutton Valence did not have to wait long for the second Canterbury goal, which was a lone striker, who got possession in the D, took the keeper on a 1 on 1, and finished in fine fashion, by luring the keeper out, moving the ball to the back stick, and LBZ into the corner. 2-2.
The third and decisive goal from Canterbury was another simple bit of hockey, but at this point Valence found themselves too far back and with not enough time to turn the result in their favour, and the game finished Canterbury 3 – 2.
Having played some of their best hockey so far, at least in the first half, even though Sutton Valence found themselves defeated, it had to be the most enjoyable game, played in good spirits, and they look forward to the rematch in the New Year.

MOM: Alex Hodges
Goals: Chris Sheldon, Richard Turnill

Team: Finlay Wishart, James Willmott, Steve Parker, Alex Hodges, Freddie Hullbert, Scott Clifton, Ben Tragett, Richard Turnill, Tom Wilson, Andy Barr, Seb O’leary, Chris Sheldon.
Umpire: Andrew Wishart

The 2nd Xl are away next week, taking on Sevenoaks 6th Xl – 10:30 am at Holly Bush Lane.

Match Report by Chris Sheldon.