This week, Sutton Valence travelled to Old Wills with the luxury of two subs, even after Captain Nick Hall was struck down with illness last minute. Vice-captain James Abrahams and glamorous assistant Rob Cockayne took over organisation on the day and started how they meant to continue by winning the toss.

Valence started well with good build up play and solid defending. Controlling the early stages of the game Sutton Valence were able to create chances but were unable to convert. Eventually Sutton Valence opened the scoring with a sweet strike from Rob Cockayne lifting the ball into the net, but before half time Old Wills managed an equaliser to take the game into half time level.

Sutton Valence continued with all of the things that had given them control for the majority of the first half. Assured passing made the Old Wills players work hard to recover the ball and tight marking made sure that when the ball was given away it was immediately put under pressure.

The game was becoming a bit of a stalemate with both teams working hard to nullify each other, but decisively Cockayne managed to score a second goal for Sutton Valence to retake the lead late in the game. This left Valence to close out the game, which to be honest, featured a small amount of panic as they almost snatched a draw from the jaws of victory as Old Wills whipped a ball in to the far post only for the waiting forward to sweep over the top of the ball allowing it to pass about an inch outside the post.

In a match where every single Sutton Valence player put in a good performance, Man of the Match could have gone to several players. In the end, it was awarded to James Abrahams for a solid defensive display and more importantly winning the toss at the start of the match.

Goals: Rob Cockayne (2)

MoM: James Abrahams

Team: Mark Whitmill; Andy Bye; James Abrahams; Stuart Edmed; Darren Thompson; Tom Morgan; Bob Bartlett; Duncan Field; Charlie Tucker; Rob Cockayne; Duncan Wills; Alastair Robinson; Andrew Wishart.
Umpires: Provided by Old Williamsonians.

Match report by James Abrahams

Sutton Valence 3rd Xl’s next League game is on 30th October, at home against Folkstone Optimist 6th Xl.