Having been postponed due to the December snows, the rematch opened on an unseasonably warm day with a pitch offering plenty of traction. Both sides had a full turn out and plenty of reserves which kept the match both fast paced and flowing with plenty of action down the wings from both teams. However, within the first 5 minutes it was Sutton Valence’s Roger Fermor who opened the day’s proceedings with a shot between the opposition goalie’s legs as he ran out to greet him.
But the flow did not stop there, within 10 minutes Bob Bartlett took up the challenge to wiggle past the defence and produce a lifted shot from the edge of the D into the goal.
The rest of the half followed with a series of searing attacks from Henry Humphrey, Mark Whitmill, Andy Lee and Monkey only to be thwarted and allow the opposition to force their way into the Valence’s half.
The second half opened with fast play from both sides with the opposition’s forwards pushing deep into the host team’s defensive line of Mike Nettle, Andy McVarish, Bob Sagrott, David Turner and Andy Bye who managed to keep the goalie, Lee Croucher, out of the game on all but two occasions.
Andy Lee managed to get one in the can to open the score sheet for the second half, shortly followed by a penalty flick for an unfortunate goal-line offence successfully taken by Bob Bartlett. The whole team, including reserves, were called to contribute on the field with Charlie Worsfold adding his customary skills for a short rotation of play.
The pressure was kept on until the end with a fifth goal from a defender’s deflection of a strike from Mark Whitmill and Julian Mills dribbled one between the kneeling goalie’s legs to have the ball crawl its way over the line. However, after much deliberation between the umpires and players, it was disallowed on a technicality…
The whole match was played in good spirits with only one green card issued (for those playing in black and white, it’s the triangular one). Both teams retired to the Queen’s Head for the customary sausage, beans and chips washed down with avoidance jugs.
This win takes the 3rd Xl into the lead in Division 9 by one point over Maidstone 5th Xl.

Goals: Roger Fermor; Bob Bartlett (2); Andy Lee; Mark Whitmill.

Team: Lee Croucher; Mike Nettle; Andy McVarish; David Turner; Bob Sagrott; Andy Bye; Bob Bartlett; Andy Lee; Darren Thompson; Henry Humphrey; Mark Whitmill; Julian Mills; Roger Fermor; Charlie Worsfold.
Umpires: Lewis Mitchell + 1 from Burnt Ash.

Match Report by Roger Fermor.

Next week the 3rd Xl are at home on the Prep School Astro at 11:15 against K Sports (Cobdown) 4th Xl,