Valence travelled to Burnt Ash to start their league campaign. Valence took to the field with grey skies creeping overhead and a delayed start due to the match beforehand over-running. The game started evenly with both teams struggling to assert their dominance, gradually Valence managed to take control and build attacking pressure whilst restricting Burnt Ash to breakaway attacks, most of which broke down without too much threat. Despite all the attacking pressure it took Valence a long time to make an impact on the scoreboard, mainly due to wasteful play in the D, including a string of four back to back short corners and a number of good saves from the Burnt Ash keeper.
Eventually Marius Dreyer broke the deadlock, rounding the keeper and finishing into the empty goal. The score remained 1-0 until half time. Valence continued to attack in the second half and were rewarded with a penalty goal after a Burnt Ash defender deliberately stuck out a leg to stop a Valence shot. Chris Sheldon stole a 3rd by deflecting an already goal bound effort on the line before striking a fourth into the bottom right from a short corner. Last season's top scorer Rob Cockayne could only watch in despair as effort after effort failed to go in. The only time he did find the goal was after the whistle went and the defenders had turned away. Valence were pleased with a well-earned victory and will endeavour to keep this positive start
to the season going in future matches.

Man of the Match: Jack Sheldon.

Goals: Brett Angel; Marius Dryer; Chris Sheldon (2)

Team: Mark Whitmill, John Edmed, Nick Hall, Scott Montgomery, Brett Angel, Duncan Field, Jack Sheldon, Marius Dryer, Rob Cockayne, Chris Sheldon, Alex Hodges
Umpire: Rob Harrison

Next week the 3rd Xl are again away at Folkestone Optimists 6th Xl.

Match report by James Abrahams