With three back to back wins on the trot, Sutton Valence were looking for a fourth to add to their tally. But, despite being in sixth position, and playing bottom of the League, Valence knew it was going to be a tough game away from home with a bare 11 player squad.
Valence started the game in the sort form with which they had won the previous three games, by dominating play and having a hunger for being first to the ball. This led to 50/50 balls falling in their favour and within 10 minutes they’d taken the lead, thanks to the returning-to-form Chris Sheldon. The goal kicked Burnt Ash into action and they started to take control of the midfield…. and the game. In the next 20 minutes Valence found themselves pinned in their own half and after a number of decisions that went against them, Burnt Ash equalised in one of their many short corners. The half time whistle was blown and both teams went into the break feeling the game could be theirs.
Due to the number of decisions that went against Valence in the first half, the team felt hard done by, but the half time talk focused on the elements of the game they could control, which was the hockey the team played.
The second half began with Valence on the back foot, with numerous decisions going against them once more, which impacted the team more than it should have. The speed of the game dropped to that of the opposition and Valence players started to argue with various decisions the umpires made. Despite this they finally found a way to break the deadlock and scored once more, this time courtesy of Dickie Turnill.
In the final 15 minutes Valence were struggling to hold onto their single goal advantage, but despite numerous short corners, they held strong until the last 5 minutes, where Burnt Ash finally converted one of their many short corners.
The game ended in a draw, but Sutton Valence felt like they had lost. As a team they simply hadn’t played well enough and at times they were licking their wounds as multiple decisions went against them. A draw was a fair reflection of the game and the Valence performance. Now pretty much safe from relegation, they look to next week to return to the kind of form they’ve enjoyed over the previous three games.

MoM: Chris Sheldon
Goals: Chris Sheldon; Dickie Turnill

Team: Mark Whitmill, Alex Hodges, Steve Parker, Ben Tragett, Andy Barr, Chris Sheldon, James Willmott, Gareth Davies, Stuart Edmed, Dickie Turnill & Seb O Leary.
Umpire: Chris Davies

Match Report by Mark Whitmill.

Next week the 2nd Xl are at home against Ashford 4th Xl, currently two places above them in 4th in the League.