Sutton Valence 3rd XI welcomed Old Williamsonian 6th XI to Fortress Underhill for their second clash of the season, off the back of a loss away from home the week before.

Both teams looked evenly matched from the start, Old Wills fielding a younger and fitter team, Sutton Valence relying on experience. The first quarter remained fairly even, with both teams held to the middle of the park by good defending.

The first goal took half an hour to occur. Sweeping dynamo Darrent Thompson played a trademark bouncing push at pace into the D, for debutant Cullen Elson to deflect in at the back post.

Following a positive half time team talk, Sutton Valence approached the second half with vigour, making a number of attacks. Notably was a break away from defence, which saw Ryan Page win a short corner for Sutton Valence, which was pounded into the bottom corner of the goal by Rob Cockayne.

Frustratingly, Old Wills managed to pull a goal back from a well-executed penalty flick, conceded due to a foot on the line from a defending Andrew McVarish at a short corner.

Old Wills quickly pulled back an equalising goal, which fumbled across the line.

With only ten minutes to go, Sutton Valence made tactical changes to their formation. Using the last of their reserves, they continued to pile forward, surging for that winning goal. Archer Ripley managed to get in the D, two on one with the keeper, and managed to slip it under the keeper’s kickers, with only two minutes remaining.

Sutton Valence had secured their first win of the season, 3-2. Kudos must go to debutant junior William Vanns, who despite playing out of position at right back, put in a sterling defensive shift, playing some very intelligent hockey.

Team sheet :
Rob Cockayne
Ryan Page
Archer Ripley
Bob Sagrott
Stuart Edmed
John Edmed
Alex Stanford
David Turner
Julian Mills
Andy McVarish
Darren Thompson
Andrew Lee
Cullen Elson
William Vanns

Goals:
Cullen Elson
Rob Cockayne
Archer Ripley