Second half comeback for 3rd XI

Sutton Valence 3rd XI travelled away to face Holcombe Heroes, high on the back of a run of four wins.

Sutton Valence were fielding a number of injured players, which showed in the first ten minutes of the game. The team were not quite able to keep up with the younger legs Holcombe were fielding.

Holcombe managed to take the lead when a fumbled ball with a large amount of backspin managed to slowly edge past keeper David Turner. Sutton Valence had chances to get back in the game, but their shots were either saved by the Holcombe keeper, or hit just wide of the post.

The icy cold rain started to lash down, which took Holcombe into the lead 1-0 at half time.

Sutton Valence came into the second half looking much keener than in the first half. They started to make a string of runs and clever passes which were cutting through the Holcombe defence. Darren Thompson was unlucky not to score from a short corner routine, denied by the post.

Eventually Sutton Valence managed to equalise. The ball came into the D to Rob Cockayne, whose reverse stick flick was saved, for Rod Harcourt to pick up the loose ball and bumble it in past the keeper.

The Sutton Valence defence kept the team in the game, fighting back waves of Holcombe attacks, with superb performances from Tom Ireland and vice-captain Andrew McVarish.

Digging deep, Sutton Valence took the lead late in the game. Stuart Edmed played the ball into the D to Rob Cockayne, who turned the defender for a reverse stick shot into the bottom corner.

The game was put to bed minutes later from a quick self-taken side-line ball by Cockayne, who rounded defenders, drove into the D, to slot the ball into the bottom corner again.

A great performance all round from Sutton Valence (and some of the Holcombe youngsters). A very enjoyable game in good spirit, and well umpired.

Goals: Rod Harcourt; Rob Cockayne (2).

Team: Rob Cockayne; Stuart Edmed; Alex Stanford; David Turner; Bob Sagrott; Tom Ireland; John Edmed; Darren Thompson; Rod Harcourt; Mike Nettle; Andrew McVarish.

Match report by Rob Cockayne.

Next week the 3rd Xl are at home on the Senior School astro at 09:45 against Sevenoaks 9th Xl.