Hard won victory for 3rd X1

Off the back of two successive wins in a row, Sutton Valence 3rd XI travelled to K-Sports.

The match started with a high level of intensity from both teams; fast paced, sharp passing and lots of off the ball movement.

Sutton Valence looked to have the edge however, securing the first goal from a shot from Rob Cockayne which bounced up off the keeper’s pads to allow Rod Harcourt to volley in a shot at the back post.

The second goal came shortly after following a ball in from Stuart Edmed to Cockayne, who reverse flicked the ball into the far corner of the goal.

Midfielder Bob Bartlett, Alex Stanford and Stuart Edmed continued to battle hard throughout the half.

K-Sports came out of the blocks in the second half, having found a new air of energy, which tested out centre backs Mark Whitmill and Andrew McVarish. Unfortunately, K-Sports managed to pull back two goals to even the match, which was becoming ever more frantic.

Despite matters looking like they were turning very much in favour of K-Sports, Sutton Valence managed to pull ahead late in the game. Rob Cockayne dribbled into the D, past two defenders, lined up to push the ball past the keeper to score, but it was not to be. Without remorse, new 4th XI player Ed Hawes-Gatt strolled in and tapped the ball into the goal in a disgraceful act of thievery.

Sutton Valence soon secured the game with another dribble into the D by Cockayne, who switch direction to shoot, only for Hawes-Gatt to again swoop in and take the glory. Hawes-Gatt then proceeded to take Cockayne’s house, dog and wife (although the Guiness waiting on the bar at the end of the match made up for the wife).

2-4 victory to travelling Sutton Valence, which puts them fourth in the league.

Goals: Rod Harcourt; Rob Cockayne; Ed Hawes-Gatt (2)

Team: David Turner; Rob Cockayne; Alex Stanford; Mark Whitmill; Stuart Edmed; Bob Sagrott; Andy Bye; Rod Harcourt; Andrew McVarish; Mike Nettle; Bob Bartlett; Ed Hawes-Gatt.

Next week the 3rd Xl are at home on the Senior School astro at 09:45 against Gravesham & Wellcome 4th Xl.