No show turns victory into defeat

Sutton Valence

Sutton Valence got off to a disastrous start in Kent/ Sussex Regional 1 – conceding their opening game at Brighton 2nds on Saturday. After winning promotion last season, Valence were unable to get a team out as sickness, work and injuries all combined against them – leaving them with a three-point penalty for failing to turn out. Valence will hope to get their season under way at home to Gore Court on Saturday. The 2nds beat Sevenoaks 5ths 3-2 – but their failure to field a 1st XI means the result has been reversed by the league to a 3-2 defeat in the records. Tom Willson scored his first of two goals with a determined sweep which gathered at least three Sevenoaks sticks and resulted in the first feelings of discontent being voiced to the Sevenoaks umpire. As emotions settled down, the umpire pointed to the centre spot and the goal stood. A well-worked passage of play resulted in a second goal for man-of-the-match Willson after the break. Johnny Walker slotted home a third. But two quick goals with five minutes to go meant a nervy finale for the home side. Team: Stewart Young, Russell Blanchard, Steve Parker, Rob Ife, Alex Hodges, Andy Lee, Brett Angel, Eoin Robinson, Johnnie Walker, Tim Wiltshire, Andrew Turnill, Chris Stille, Tom Willson. The 3rds went down 6-2 to Canterbury Griffins. After falling behind, Valence levelled as Andy Devlin beat a defender and the keeper to score in the bottom corner. Valence began to tire in the second half and despite some great saves from Finlay Wishart – plus a second goal from Devlin – they were well beaten. Team: Finlay Wishart, Andy Barr, Gareth Davies, Chris Sheldon, Rob Harrison, Alex Sandberg, Freddie, James Wlimott, Julian Mills, Tom Harris, Andy Devlin. In their last friendly, the 4ths won 7- 0 at Maidstone 5ths thanks to Cockayne (4), Sheldon (2) and Davies. Team: H Robinson, A Wishart, J Gander, N Hall, J Abraham, A Hodges, P Posnette, D Queen, G Bell, C Sheldon, R Cockayne, L Davies.