Sutton Valence 2nd XI hosted Burnt Ash 4’s where only 2 points separate the teams in the League. With the possibility of leapfrogging their opposition in the League and going into the festive season on a high, it was all to play for. Valence started the game fluidly by retaining possession and passing the ball from wing to wing until they found the right openings. Their patient build-up play finally paid off, and Chris Sheldon scored his first goal, ending his recent goal scoring drought. It was followed by a second from Andy Barr, who slotted the ball home from a well worked short corner. Playing well, Sutton Valence felt like they were in control of the game, but Burnt Ash always looked dangerous moving forwards. Conceding numerous short corners Valence eventually conceded a goal, but they took a 1 goal cushion into half time.
The second half started with Valence knowing their opposition had the ability to score, but the pressure was lifted early in the half when Chris Sheldon scored his second goal of the game, from a short corner. Burnt Ash weren’t finished yet and as they pushed more men forward, they won numerous short corners and scored from one of them, though the Valence defence felt hard done by as the first short was struck above the back board height, but the umpires interpreted it to be a flick, not a hit.
With just a one goal margin, Valence didn’t want to go into their shell, as another goal would see them home. Once again, for the third time in the game, Chris Sheldon scored, getting his hattrick, this time by bundling the ball over the line after the Burnt Ash keeper saved the initial shot. Now with a two-goal advantage and only 5 minutes left in the game Valence just had to retain possession, which they did, to take 3 well-earned points from the fixture. Man of the match was Chris Sheldon for his 3 goals and the jug of beer that followed in the pub afterwards. Valence 2nd Xl now go on the festive break and return to League hockey on the 11th January 2020.

MoM: Chris Sheldon
Goals: Chris Sheldon (3), Andy Barr

Team: Finlay Wishart, Mark Whitmill, Alex Hodges, Steve Parker, Ben Tragett, Andy Barr, Chris Sheldon, Bob Bartlett, Lewis Mitchell, Louis Robinson, Scott Montgomery & Ollie Laing
Umpire: Andrew Wishart

Match Report by Mark Whitmill.