Sutton Valence welcomed Blackheath Highwaymen to Sutton Valence prep school for a 14:00 push back. Sutton Valence started the stronger out of the two with a strong 15 minutes of relentless attack though the midfield of Zak Blanchard, Alex Stanford, Archer Ripley and Julian Mills.

Unfortunately this did not yield the result Sutton Valence wanted, either the GK saved or the shots where just wide of the posts. On the rare occasion of a Blackheath attack that did manage to get though the midfield the defensive line of Sutton Valence easily dealt with.

Against the run of play Blackheath managed a rare attack that got past the outfield players that left the Sutton Valence keeper one on one, which, to his frustration, ended in a goal that was squeezed under his body. Blackheath managed another attack only a short moment later with a hard hit ball down the pitch to leave the Sutton Valence defence outnumbered and a nicely placed ball across the D saw a Blackheath player unmarked who was able to tuck it away. The half time whistle soon came, 2-0 to Blackheath.

Team talk involved how we were the better team for most of that half and we need to continue with the form from the first part of the half.

Second half started with Sutton Valence on top again and testing the Blackheath D to no avail. Blackheath mounted another attack into Sutton Valence half which to their delight a short corner was awarded to them. A unique shot from the top of the D from the short corner wrong footed the Sutton Valence keeper and much to the attackers surprise slithered into the bottom corner of the goal.

Sutton Valence, not willing to give up, continued to attack to the final whistle which saw Rob Cockayne steal the ball from Blackheath’s 16 and hammered a shoot from the top of the D to score. Sutton Valence continued to push right to the end but time was just against the team.

Match ended 3-1 to Blackheath.

Report by: David Turner

Team:

Alex Stanford

Andy McVarish

Archer Ripley

Darren Thompson

David Turner

Julian Mills

Mark Whhitmill

Rob Cockayne

Rod Harcourt

Ryan Page

William Vanns

Zak Blanchard

Goals: Rob Cockayne

Next Match: Gillingham (A) 10:45