An unseasonably warm October’s morning saw visitors Gore Court 5’s make the short journey to Fortress Sutton Valence for their match with the newly inaugurated 3rd XI. The match started with Sutton Valence looking very much the stronger team, with a prolonged run of possession and fluid passing being displayed through the middle of the park. Within minutes Sutton Valence took the lead with Rob Cockayne thumping a sweep shot past the Gore Court goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation. Only seconds later Sutton Valence were unlucky not to go two up, with seasoned/middle-aged striker Duncan Wills missing an open goal opportunity through sheer shock that Cockayne had actually passed him the ball in the D. Nevertheless, the team rallied behind him and did not mock him at all.
A second goal soon followed from Cockayne from a quick self-taken free hit on the halfway line allowing him an unchallenged drive into the D for a reverse stick shot between the keeper’s legs. Things at this point started to turn a tad heated, with umpire Iain Simmons having to have a stern word with both sides about flailing one-handed tackling. Naturally the next tackle of the game was, a flailing one-handed tackle, which saw Alastair Robinson green carded.
Gore Court worked hard to utilise the spritely legs of their more youthful players to keep pressure on Sutton Valence, however were unable to make much progress into the Sutton Valence D due to a number of strong tackles from defenders Nick Hall and Bob Sagrott.
The start of the second half started much more shakily for Sutton Valence following a few changes to positions, which did not work as well as expected. This saw Gore Court pull back a goal from a well-worked passing routine to bypass goalkeeper Ross “The Wall” Mackay. Shouts of “Come on Gore Court, we can get a draw here!” only rallied Sutton Valence further.
Sutton Valence knew they needed to widen the gap between themselves and the opposition in order to secure a win, stretching their game out wide to where they had ample space to charge forward. Sterling performances from new club members Simon Myers and Chris Leggat allowed Sutton Valence to take control in the centre of the park, also freeing Chris “The Assist” Sheldon to play some lovely through balls to players lurking in and around the Gore Court D. Another one-on-one situation arrived with Rob Cockayne slotting a third goal past an advancing keeper. The game started to turn a little sour after this point, with a few of the more experienced Gore Court players growing increasingly frustrated about their lack of progress, persistently expressing their anger and irritation and not conducting themselves in the best manner. It was only a matter of time until one of the Gore Court players lost their heads, with one player unnecessarily body checking 85-year-old Valence's Paul Linaker, leading to a rather bloody knee abrasion.
Gore Court managed to pull another goal back, again through a well-worked passing routine from their younger team members.
With Valence now even more determined to finish off the opposition, a fourth goal came minutes later from a clever injection from Chris Sheldon to Rob Cockayne who, lurking behind the defence on the base line, was able to place the ball tidily between the keeper and the post.
Cockayne’s fifth goal came towards the end of the game from a solid injection into the D by returning player Dan Brooks, allowing Cockayne to sweep the ball into the bottom left had corner of the goal.
A convincing 5-2 win for the 3rd XI sees them triumph for the second week in a row, having only just stepped into league hockey. Long may their hard work continue to produce good results.

Goals: Cockayne (5)

Team: Ross Mackay; Charlie Tucker; Bob Sagrott (El Capitano); Nick Hall; Simon Myers; Chris Leggat; Chris Sheldon; Alastair Robinson; Duncan Wills; Dan Brooks; Rob Cockayne; Paul Linaker; David Turner.
Umpires: Iain Simmons; Nick Willson.

Next week the 3rds are again at home at 11.15 against Ashford 6th Xl.

Match report by Rob Cockayne.