Perfect five as Valence post impressive set of results

Sutton Valence had a highly successful weekend with all five of their teams winning. The men’s 1sts kept in touch with Kent Division 1 leaders Ashford 2nds with a 6- 0 victory over Maidstone 2nds. Ricky O’Neill and Fred McVarish both scored twice while Dan Brooks and Andy Turnill were also on target for Valence, who scored three times in each half. It was an especially sweet moment for Brooks, who was playing in his first league game. This Saturday Valence are at home to third-placed Marden 2nds. Sutton Valence men’s 2nds secured their position at the top of Kent Open League Premier A with a 4-1 success over Sevenoaks 4ths. They got off to a good start when skipper Andy Lee fired the ball home from a short corner and Valence then scored twice more from short corners before half-time through Tom Willson and Tom Morgan. Sevenoaks pressed hard in the second half but the home defence held firm, including a goalline clearance by Steve Parker and it was Valence who scored again through Lee before Sevenoaks grabbed a consolation goal. Sevenoaks scored from a late short corner but Valence’s victory was assured by then. Lee said: “It was not the most polished of performances but to convert four penalty corners showed the benefit of team training sessions.” Sutton Valence men’s 3rds were handed a 5- 0 walkover in Kent Open League Division 2 after opponents Wellcome 2nds were unable to field a team. The 4ths battled to a 1- 0 win over Cobdown 2nds in Kent Open League Division 4 thanks to Adrian Gander. Sutton Valence Vets beat Tunbridge Wells Grasshoppers 2-1 in the Veterans Hockey Conference thanks to first-half goals from Lyndon Davies and Henry Humphrey. Man-of-the-match was Andy McVarish.