Sutton Valence 3rd XI travelled to Old Williamsonian for a chilly but eagerly anticipated clash.

The game started with Old Wills looking the keener of the two teams, with Sutton Valence struggling to get into their normal flow. Inevitably it was not long until Old Wills took an early lead, utilising the pace of a number of younger players, linked with some well drilled passing which Sutton Valence struggled to contain.

Nevertheless Sutton Valence kept their cool and continued to battle, with a number of good moves between Darren Thompson and Bob Bartlett in the middle of the park linking well, despite being closed down quickly and a lack of space restricting their creativity. Striker Rob Cockayne had a number of shots saved by the Old Wills’ keeper, with one notable diving mid-height glove save stunning the spectators.

The second half saw Sutton Valence equalise, with a rapidly injected short corner from Thompson allowing Bartlett to skin the fast-advancing runners to slip a shot in past the keeper.

Old Wills continued to attack and control the game, putting goalkeeper Ross Mackay under a lot of pressure. Old Wills were shortly awarded a penalty flick, after the Sutton Valence defenders had no choice but to stop shots on the line with their bodies after Mackay was grounded following a string of shots.

The game grew ever more frustrating for Sutton Valence with the Old Wills defence working hard to keep any attacks at bay.
With 4 minutes remaining in the game, their perseverance paid off. A rapidly injected ball into the Old Wills D hit the foot of an Old Wills defender, with all players stopping in anticipation of a short corner, only for Cockayne to utilise the advantage and pounce on the loose ball and score a reverse stick shot into the top left-hand corner of the goal.

The remaining few minutes were intense to say the least, with both sides stepping up their games to score a last-minute winner, however, to no avail.

The game ended 2-2, which given their performance, Sutton Valence were relieved about.

Goals: Bob Bartlett; Rob Cockayne.

Team: Ross Mackay; Bob Sagrott; Julian Mills; Paul Linaker; Mike Nettle; Rob Cockayne; Stuart Edmed; Darren Thompson; David Turner; Bob Bartlett; Roger Fermor; Charlie Tucker.
Umpires: Provided by Old Wills.

Next week the 3rd Xl are at home at 11:15 against Maidstone 5th Xl.