Valence 3's welcomed Blackheath to a home match that actually took place at home. The two sides had previously met in a pre-season friendly where Blackheath had won with a resounding score line, but left Valence feeling that the match was much closer than the score had suggested. The re-match started evenly with both sides launching probing attacks that were dealt with effectively by both defences. Just as it looked like Blackheath were starting to build a little pressure, Valence stole the opening goal through the evergreen Rob Cockayne. The lead was short lived though as Blackheath equalised minutes later through a solo goal from their striker. Cockayne managed to restore Valence's lead with a second goal, but again Blackheath equalised, leaving the sides level 2-2 at half time.
The game continued to be a hard-fought match with some crunching tackles, including one from Duncan 'The Bulldozer' Wills which left his opposite number in a heap on the floor. Unfortunately for Valence, Blackheath were the more ruthless in front of goal and managed to score two further goals, taking them to a 4-2 lead.
Valence continued to attack to the end of the match but just couldn't find the finishing touches when needed and the game ended with Valence once again on the losing end of another close match.
Notable performances came from Rob Cockayne who along with scoring both Valence's goals made tackles all over the pitch from centre forward to left back and from debutant Sam Wilding who grew in confidence as the game went on and whose marauding runs down the right-hand side caused Blackheath problems and created attacking chances for Valence in the Blackheath D.
Valence can now use the Government-imposed hiatus in hockey to recuperate and look forward to the resumption of the season, hopefully later in the year.

Man of the Match: Rob Cockayne

Goals: Rob Cockayne (2)

Team: Mark Whitmill, Andrew Wishart, Rob Harrison, Adrian Gander, James Abrahams, Duncan Field, Jack Sheldon, Sam Wilding, Finlay Wishart, Charlie Tucker, Duncan Wills, Rob Cockayne.
Umpire: Rupert Humphrey.

Next week the 3rd Xl were due to play Holcombe Harriers at home, but Lockdown rules this out.

Match report by James Abrahams.