Valence welcomed 2nd placed Old Bordenians knowing that a draw would be good enough to see them crowned League champions.
Bordenians started the match strongest, putting Valence under early pressure and creating several attacking chances. The visitors were rightly (although they didn't think so) denied their first appeal for a penalty flick after the umpires discussed the incident and decided the initial shot was not goal-bound. Valence, although under pressure, seemed to be coping well defensively until an unexpected Bordenians’ short corner routine saw the ball injected to a player on the far side of the D, throwing of the defensive runners and creating enough time for the attacker to squeeze the ball between the keeper’s pads and into the goal.
Towards the end of the first half Bordenians had a golden opportunity to double their lead when their second appeal for a penalty flick was granted. Up stepped the ex-National League Bordenians’ striker looking to put his years of experience to good use and give Valence a mountain to climb. Unfortunately for Bordenians he failed, flicking the ball wide of the goal.
Valence began to find their form at the start of the second half and the game became more even. In a pivotal moment, Darren Thompson played a speculative looping ball over the top of most of the Bordenians’ team from his own half into the attacking D. The Bordenians’ keeper left the ball, thinking it would safely roll off the backline only to see Duncan Wills 'bulldoze' (his own words) his way through to touch the ball into the goal to level the scores. Game on.
This galvanised Valence and ignited the kind of play that has seen them top the table for much of the season. With a record crowd roaring them on they added two further goals, first from Chris Stille and then from Reuben Collingwood, who calmly finished off the rebound after his initial short corner shot was blocked. Valence continued to attack throughout the remainder of the game, and looked solid at the back with Rob 'the wall' Harrison single-handedly cutting out several Old Bordenians’ counter attacks.
In the end a superb victory to cap off an outstanding season from Valence with one League game remaining and lead goal scorer Rob Cockayne (who wasn't allowed out to play this week) returning, they are looking to finish the season on a high.

Goals: Reuben Collingwood, Chris Stille, Duncan Wills
MOTM: Rob Harrison (man mountain, nothing got through or round him)
DOTD: Rob Cockayne (for choosing his anniversary over hockey

Team : Stewart Young, Nick Hall (c), Rob Harrison, Andrew Wishart, Scott Montgomery, James Abrahams, Duncan Field, Reuben Collingwood, Darren Thompson, Richard Turnill, Chris Stille, Duncan Wills
Umpire : Ryan Robinson

Match Report by James Abrahams.

Next week the 3rd Xl play their final game of the season away against Gillingham Anchorians 4th Xl, currently 9th in the League, whom they beat at home in a weather delayed game in December 6 : 0.