Four on the trot for SVHC 3rd XI

Following a hat trick of wins for Sutton Valence 3rd XI, they welcomed Gravesham & Wellcome 4th XI to Sutton Valence Senior School.

From the off Sutton Valence looked the more dangerous team, dominating possession in the middle of the field. Their passing was quick, accurate, and deadly into the D. Sutton Valence managed a string of fast paced attacks, which the opposition defence struggled to repel.

Sutton Valence took the lead early on, with a fast short corner injection from Darren Thompson to Rob Cockayne, who hit a dipping strike in through the keeper’s legs.

A string of short corners for Sutton Valence followed, which were consistently defended by Gravesham feet. After a number of defended short corner routines, Rob Cockayne extended the lead by leathering a shot into the bottom corner of the goal, off a defender’s knee.

The few attacks that Gravesham did manage to form, were quickly shut down by an experienced and solid Sutton Valence defence.

The second half started in a typical manner for Sutton Valence, making life hard for themselves and switching off. As a result, Gravesham pulled back two goals to make it 2-2.

Alex Stanford managed to get Sutton Valance back in the lead, with a well struck slap shot in past the keeper, whose visibility was restricted by the attacking Sutton Valence players.

With only two minutes left of the game, Sutton Valence sealed the win with a fourth goal. Rod Harcourt in true form, was lurking at the back post to knock in a cross to conclude the match.

Four wins in a row for the 3rd XI brings them worryingly close to a promotion bid.

Goals: Rob Cockayne(2); Alex Stanford; Rod Harcourt.

Team: Rob Cockayne; Dan Brooks; Alex Stanford; Tom Ireland; Julian Mills; Rod Harcourt; David Turner; Lee Croucher; Darren Thompson; Mark Whitmill; Bob Sagrott; Andy Bye; Stuart Edmed.

Next week is a free week and the week after the 3rd Xl are away against Holcombe Heroes on pitch 2 at 11:30.