The new season sees a new Club League team as the remains of the Vets’ team, previously playing friendlies in the Southern Counties Hockey Conference, has been used to form the base of a potential development team. With a number of former Vets no longer available through retiral or remaining injuries, and some away on holiday, the turnout was only made possible by a number of players doubling up to play a second game for all or a part of the match.
The group welcomed two new players to the game, Ross Mackay in goal, and David Turner in attack, both of whom will be valuable additions as the season progresses.
The opposition team, comprising about three adults and the rest very competent and quick youngsters, all of them 70 years younger than Valence’s oldest player, proved too much of a handful on this opening game of the season. The goals came from both open play and short corners, of which there was a number. Valence keeper Mackay grew in confidence as the game progressed, successfully turning away several other potential goals.
Valence had their moments, with one goalmouth scramble that no Valence player could just put away, and some other shots that were pushed away or were wide.
Valence will be hoping that over the coming weeks the new team will settle and gel and that not all the opposition in this League will be as young and fast as this game’s group were!

Team: Ross Mackay; Stuart Bates; Henry Humphrey; Andy McVarish; Julian Mills; Duncan Field; Paul Linaker; David Turner; Rob Cockayne; Ryan Cockayne; Adrian Gander; Nick Hall.
Umpires; Rob Harrison and Brett Angel.

Next week the 3rd Xl travel away to play Sittingbourne 5th Xl at 14.30 at Borden Grammar School.

Match report by Paul Linaker.