As the opening game to the new 2026/2027 season Sutton Valence Men’s 3rd XI travelled to Erith to face BBHC 2nd XI. An air of trepidation filled the air, after an internal reshuffle of BBHC teams meant Sutton Valence didn’t know what level of opposition they would face.

From the push back Sutton Valence looked the more dominant and threatening side, with William Vanns and Chris Stille controlling the right hand side of the pitch in order to create some dangerous attacks.

It didn’t take long for Sutton Valence to take the lead. A choreographed short corner routine actually worked, as receiver Rob Cockayne slipped the ball left to Alex Stanford, who after having his first shot saved, riffled the ball into the back of the net.

Stanford increased the lead to two shortly after, following a rapid counter attack of no more than four passes from the Sutton Valence D up into the opposition D to slip the ball past the keeper.

BBHC managed to pull one back soon after, with a nicely finished slap shot past a diving Stewart Young between the posts. This was soon cancelled out by midfield magician Chris Sheldon, who tucked away his first goal of the season.

Following a positive and energising half time team meeting, Sutton Valence took advantage of the results of their pre-season fitness sessions and pulled ahead further. Midfield dynamos Alastair Robinson and Henry Powell linked up beautifully through the middle of the field, allowing Powell to inject the ball into Rob Cockayne to deflect up past the keepers waiting kicker.

Chris Sheldon then managed to bag his second following a kicker malfunction by BBHC’s keeper, but they all count.

BBHC scored a second mid way through the second half, which was soon cancelled out by Cockayne, who scored his second with a slap shot that was deflected off a defenders stick and into the midsection of the goal.

As the teams wore tired, Ryan Page scored his first of the season in the last five minutes of the game. Page got into the D for a two-on-one with the keeper, but instead of passing around the keeper to allow his father to score a hat-trick, selfishly smashed the ball past the keeper at head height.

The game may have finished 2-7, however credit where credit is due to BBHC, as the score line did not reflect their performance.

Sutton Valence played really well as a team, with great performances across the pitch, especially at the back from veterans James Willmot and James Abrahams, Ollie Sheldon, as well as new club member Chris Leggat.

Report by: Rob Cockayne

Teamsheet:
Rob Cockayne (c)
Ryan Page
Chris Sheldon
James Abrahams
Olly Sheldon
James Willmott
Alex Stanford
Alistair Robinson
Stewart Young
William Vanns
Henry Powell
Chris Leggat
Chris Stille

Goals:
Alex Stanford (2)
Chris Sheldon (2)
Rob Cockayne (2)
Ryan Page (1)

Next Match: Sittingbourne M5 (H) 11:15 pb