Valence welcomed Blackheath & Elthamian Dynamos for a pre-season friendly to get a taste for the level of the new League the 3s have been promoted to. Valence started the game slowly taking some time to find their feet. Blackheath were a well organised side with a number of strong players who brought the game to Valence in the early stages.
Gradually Valence became more assured and started to contest the game more in all areas of the pitch. Valence lost the first half 3-1 but Cockayne’s fluke reverse stick strike was undoubtedly the goal of the half.
The team talk at half time was positive with Valence feeling that they were very much in the game and that there was everything to play for in the second half. Unfortunately Valance also lost the second half 3-1 with Cockayne netting a second. Despite the final score of 6-2 Valence felt that they performed much better in the second half until the inevitable early season fatigue set in.
The final score could have been very different. On another days the luck seen in some of the Blackheath goals would have gone the other way and the saves made by the Blackheath keeper wouldn't all have come off. If this is representative of the standard of the new League Valence are entering then the coming season will be a welcome challenge. Valence will doubtlessly face hard matches but can also be hopeful of good results as the performances and experience improve.

Team: Mark Whitmill, Nick Hall, Neil Hollingsworth, James Willmott, James Abrahams, Ryan Robinson, Jack Sheldon, Julian Mills, Duncan Field, Chris Sheldon, Andrew Wishart

Match Report by James Abrahams.

Next week the 3rd Xl start their League games following promotion, in Kent Open Division 2 away to Burnt Ash 6th Xl.