Sutton Valence Ladies 1st XI played Folkestone Optimists Ladies W6, at Home on Saturday 7th November, at 9.45am.

Dense fog hung over the pitch as the whistle blew to start the match. Folkestone started strong with some quick passing across the pitch. Sutton Valence worked well as a team, breaking up play and moving the ball back towards their D.

Folkestone scored in the first 15 mins, from a Short corner, hit in by their Captain (Janet) at the top of the D. Sutton Valence Ladies battled on, but after 20 minutes, Folkestone called for the game to be stopped, so we could assess the weather and pitch visibility due to the low fog. Both captains agreed that they were happy to carry on with the match and after 10 minutes, the game resumed, as some of the fog lifted from the pitch. Soon after Folkestone, scored again and although Sutton Valence defended well; at the end of the first half, Folkestone were winning 0-2.

Sutton Valence made a few adjustments to their team, at half time and came out fighting in the second half. They were awarded several short corners, but were unfortunately unable to convert them into goals. Sutton Valence Forwards and Midfielders were relentless in intercepting Folkestone's drive forward and had several outstanding attempts to score goals, but none hit the backboard. Halfway through the second half, Folkestone scored again from a short corner as their Forward tapped it in at the post. Sutton Valence Ladies 1st XI were working brilliantly as a team and Defence working fantastically with Midfield but we were now trailing 0-3.

With less than a quarter of the game left, Sutton Valence were awarded a short corner and as they pushed the ball into the goal at the post, a Folkestone player stopped it on the line, the umpire awarded a penalty flick to Sutton Valence. Nicky Coomansingh (team captain) stepped up to take the penalty. She stayed composed and drag flicked the ball up into the top right-hand corner of the goal, just above the goalkeeper's glove and scored for Sutton Valence. This gave the team a huge lift and they battled on and kept the ball in their half, having several more shots on goal, but sadly, none went in, and the final whistle blew. The game finished 1-3 to Folkestone Ladies W6s.

This was Sutton Valence Ladies 1st XI first loss for several weeks but they will come back stronger in their next game against Faversham (Away). Thank you to all the supporters who came to watch and cheered us on, they said it was an exciting game to watch!

Report By: Nicola Riches

Player of the Match was Nicky Coomansingh.

Team:
Maddie Wills
Fayth Turner
Frankie Bavin
Nicky Coomansingh (Captain)
Laura Boorman
Sarah Burton
Angelique Burger
Olivia Stille
Katherine Lichfield
Cath Mills
Claire Edmed
Izzy Edmed
Indigo Beech (Goalie).

Next Match: Faversham (A) 10:00pb