Sutton Valence Hockey Club (SVHC) were eager to secure a second consecutive win after an impressive home performance last week, but despite a solid start, they ultimately fell 5-2 to Holcombe Hockey Club in a challenging away fixture.

SVHC began the match with strong intent, dominating the early exchanges with purposeful play. The team used width well, creating space and moving the ball efficiently to stretch Holcombe’s defense. For the first 25 minutes, Holcombe struggled to cope with Sutton Valence’s fast-paced and organized play. However, just before halftime, Holcombe capitalized on a moment of defensive lapse, breaking the deadlock with a clinical strike. This goal handed Holcombe a 1-0 lead heading into the break, giving them a boost of confidence.

After a motivational halftime team talk, SVHC emerged for the second half with renewed energy, leading to an early equalizer when Chris Stille's powerful shot hit the back of the net, only for it to be controversially ruled out for being too high. The team’s high-fives and excitement quickly turned to confusion and mild panic as they realized the goal had been disallowed—like celebrating a birthday only to find out the cake’s been eaten by the dog.

Another standout moment came from Tom Willson, whose individual brilliance nearly turned the tide. A brilliant 30-yard dribble saw him outsmart Holcombe's central midfield and defense, weaving through tackles with impressive skill. He came painfully close to scoring, but the ball was cut out at the last hurdle—leaving everyone wondering what could have been.

Holcombe, now fully in rhythm, began to exploit the gaps left open in SVHC’s midfield and defense. Their sharp play, combined with strategic positioning and some quick transitions, led to a series of four rapid goals, pushing their lead to 5-0. With age on their side, Holcombe’s superior fitness became increasingly evident, and despite SVHC’s efforts, the game seemed to be slipping away.

But SVHC refused to give up. With renewed focus, they pushed forward and scored two late goals—one from Tom Willson and the other from Chris Sheldon. The team’s resilience and fighting spirit were clear, but with time against them, they ultimately ran out of steam before they could complete a full comeback.

A special mention must go to goalkeeper Ross Mackay, who, after taking a painful knock to the kneecap, continued to battle through the pain, showing incredible determination to finish the game.

While the final scoreline was 5-2, SVHC can take pride in their early performance and their resilience late on to close the gap.

SVHC Team: Ross Mackay, Nick Hall, Steve Parker, Charlie Tucker, Ben Traget, Alistair Robinson, Tom Willson, Andy Barr, Christian Chadwick, Harrison Sharpe, Duncan Wills, Chris Sheldon and Chris Stile.

Report By: Christian Chadwick
Next Match: Maidstone (H) 09:45