Tough away game for 3rd XI

Sevenoaks 9th XI hosted Sutton Valence 3rd XI in an unseasonably warm mid-table clash.
With only a three-minute warm up due to a head injury in a previous game, both teams started slower than desired whilst their older muscles warmed up.
Sevenoaks took an early lead only a few minutes into the game, which only spurred Valence to battle on. New midfield duo Bob Bartlett and Lewis Mitchell linked well with Ben Tragett to make a number of attacking moves, which with combined with a high press, really pinned Sevenoaks into their own D.
The deadlock was broken with a Sutton Valence short corner, which was sneakily slipped back to injector Darren Thompson, who reverse flicked the ball into the back of the goal. Sutton Valence took the lead not long after from a solid Lewis Mitchell strike.
The second half was well battled by both sides, despite the lowering sun making it very hard to distinguish players on opposing sides apart. Sevenoaks unfortunately equalised with about 15 minutes remaining.
The remainder of the game was played with managed aggression by both sides, but alas neither able to break the deadlock, with Sutton Valence’s Big Dave Turner making a racking final minute save to keep the point safe.
2-2 finish.

Goals: Darren Thompson; Lewis Mitchell.

Team: Rob Cockayne; John Edmed; Bob Bartlett; Charlie Worsfold; Rod Harcourt; Paul Linaker; Julian Mills; David Turner; Tom Ireland; Lewis Mitchell; Darren Thompson; Charlie Tucker; Ben Tragett.
Umpires provided by Sevenoaks.

Match Report by Rob Cockayne.

Next week the 3rd Xl are at home on the Prep School Astro at 09.45 against Maidstone 4th Xl.