In a well contested match under the floodlights at Holly Bush Lane, Sevenoaks 6’s clinched a 3-0 victory over Sutton Valence 2’s thanks to a combination of well taken penalty corners and a solid defence. Despite Sutton Valence 2’s continuing to improve week-on-week in the lofty heights of South East Division Five, after three consecutive promotions they once again couldn’t quite find the breakthrough required this season and returned back across Kent empty handed.

The game began with a promising first half from Sutton Valence who dominated in defence and looked dangerous going forwards. Spectators could be heard on the sidelines deliberating whether Valence’s first half midfield performance was more reminiscent of 1970 Brazilian swagger or 2012 Spanish tiki-taka excellence. Either way, Valence had been letting the ball do the work and it was being moved forwards with some beautiful, smooth and fast passing that lead to many promising attacks.

With both sides locked in a goalless draw at the break and with both captains feeling like they should have probably gone into their half-time team talks a goal or two ahead, Sevenoaks came back out with renewed determination and broke the deadlock at around the 40-minute mark. Capitalising on their fifth penalty corner, the ball was flicked with impressive speed and accuracy, finding the tight gap between MacKay’s stick and Parker’s facemask before nestling in the top left corner of the goal. Just five minutes later Sevenoaks struck again, breaking into the D on the left-hand side and doubling their advantage in quick time.

Sutton Valence mounted some determined offensive pressure over the final twenty minutes but the Sevenoaks backline proved to be up to the challenge, repeatedly staving off advances from the determined team in red. In the dying seconds, Sevenoaks faked the slip and converted another ferocious penalty corner flick. The 3-0 away defeat was sealed but the solid first-half showing and flashes of attacking promise suggested that Sutton Valence’s first points of this challenging season would hopefully be not too far away.

Team:
Ross MacKay
James Willmott
Chris Stile
Tom Wilson
Andy Barr
Ben Tragett
Chris Sheldon
Alex Hodges
Charlie Tucker
Adrian Gander
Steve Parker

Report By: Ross MacKay
Next Match: Burnt Ash 4 (H) 11:45