Saturday 11th December 2021 brought Newenden Nomads, a reasonably newly formed team founded by ex-Sutton Valence 3’s defender Phil Morris, to Sutton Valence Prep School for an eagerly anticipated clash of the titans. Newenden had a number of convincing wins under their belt, so this match was always going to be one to watch.

From the pushback the game started at a high level of intensity, which came as a bit of a shock to a number of the Sutton Valence players who were yet to get their eye in. Frustratingly Sutton Valence struggled to convert passes, which led to a number of quick interceptions and breaks by Newenden. This combined with some rather shocking marking, lead to three early goals for Newenden in the first 15 minutes.

Never ones to drop their heads and accept defeat, Sutton Valence gathered themselves and regrouped, finally starting to convert short sharp passes to sticks. Fresh from his prolonged spell of injury, Fred McVarish put in a commanding performance at centre mid, finding a number of long ball passes to the forwards who had managed to wander from their markers. Once such ball made its way to a marauding Alastair Robinson, who’s shot dinged the post, only for it to bounce back off a Newenden defender for attacker Rob Cockayne to mis-direct past a wrong-footed keeper – certainly not his finest finish, but goals are goals!

The second half was highly contended. Newenden made a number of strong attacks which were halted by seasoned defender Rob Harrison and Jagermeister’s new Chief of Testing, Charlie Tucker, so despite only having half of his vision back as a result of his office party, put in a solid performance out of position at right back.

Richard Turnill and Chris Stille brought some blistering pace through the middle, linking up well with Chris Johnson which led to a number of strong attacks for Sutton Valence.

The second Sutton Valence goal came from a powerful ball into the D by Fred McVarish, allowing Rob Cockayne to make a glancing deflection and add some height to the ball, projecting it into the top left hand corner of the goal, much to everyone’s amazement.
3-2 with 15 minutes to go, both teams turn up the heat and the intensity and game pace picks up. Newenden were unlucky not to score with three opportunities narrowly missing being tucked in at the back post past keeper Stewart Young. As the game became more stretched, Chris Stille managed to tuck a goal in past a diving goalkeeper to make it 3-3.

Frustration spilt over with a Newenden defender frequently losing his cool and being yellow carded for aggressive conduct towards Duncan Wills. Nevertheless, both teams persevered, both having breaks and chances in the closing minutes however none managed to convert, all rather heart-in-mouth hockey!

Every player worked their socks off, a commendable performance all round.

Jugs, sausage, chips and beans were consumed in a merry fashion by both teams back at the Queens, marking the start of the Christmas break.

Goals: Rob Cockayne (2); Chris Stille

MoM: Charlie Tucker – A great performance out of position despite his handicap

Team: Stewart Young; Alastair Robinson; Duncan Wills; Duncan Field; Darren Thompson; Rob Cockayne ; Rob Harrison; Charlie “Jager” Tucker; Tom Morgan; Andrew Wishart; Chris Johnson; Fred McVarish; Chris Stille; Richard Turnill; Nick Hall
Umpires: Iain Simmons; Lewis Mitchell

Match report by Rob Cockayne.

The 3rd Xl’s next League game will be away against Holcombe Harriers on the 15th January, 2022.