The mid-table battle between Old Wills and Sutton Valence was a game more for pride than anything else. With neither promotion nor relegation a possibility for either team, both were jostling for mid table position, where Old Wills could leapfrog Valence if they won.
The game started with Old Wills on the front foot and they quickly applied some home dominance on the game. Valence were under pressure, absorbing multiple attacks from Old Wills, but keeper, Finlay Wishart, kept the score-line 0-0 for the first 20 minutes, but then Old Wills finally broke the Valence defence down and scored from open play. Despite the pressure Valence responded in a very positive manner and within 5 minutes they had equalised, as Alex Hodges pushed a slightly lifted ball into the Old Wills D and Tom Willson struck it on the half volley straight past the keeper. The rest of the half saw both teams with chances, but neither was able to score again.
Although under pressure for a lot of the half Sutton Valence were still very much in the fixture and it felt like it could be the type of game where the next goal could be enough to take the 3 points on offer.
Old Wills started the second half in a similar fashion to the first and again put Valence under early pressure. With multiple short corners and clearly having a drag flick expert, Valence felt this would be the more likely route they would concede. But, despite numerous short corners Valence held firm though saves from their keeper, but Old Wills were getting closer. With 10 minutes left in the game SV had another short corner to defend, this time Old Wills drag flicked towards the chest of Steve Parker, who was guarding the right hand post. Skipper Mark Whitmill stuck out his stick and was able to turn this round the post. The long corner was awarded and despite numerous saves from Finlay Wishart, Old Wills finally put the ball in the back of the net, giving Valence only 5 minutes to find a response. Despite their best efforts the game ended with Old Wills winning the tight fixture and overtaking Valence in the League
Valence had had a spirted game, but the pressure eventually caught up with them. With two games left in the season, they next week host top of the table Maidstone, where they will look to bounce back from this loss.
Goals: Tom Willson
MoM: Tom Willson

Team: Finlay Wishart, Mark Whitmill (c), Alex Hodges, Steve Parker, Ben Tragett, Chris Sheldon, James Willmott, Seb O’Leary, Tom Willson, Scott Montgomery, Stuart Edmed & James Abrahams.
Umpire: Iain SImmons

Match Report by Mark Whitmill.

Next week the 2nd Xl are at home playing the League leaders, Maidstone 3rd Xl, against whom they narrowly lost away 3 : 2 in November.