Valence’s hat-trick hero Ashton back with a bang

Dion Ashton scored a hat-trick on his first appearance this season as Sutton Valence 1sts went second in Kent Open Premier A with a 4-0 win over Gillingham Anchorians. It was clear unbeaten Valence had the upper hand against their winless opponents on Saturday, dominating possession and patiently building each attack. But fine goalkeeping meant they had to wait until eight minutes into the second half to break the deadlock when Ashton scored his first. He was celebrating again five minutes later and completed his hat-trick after Alex Stamp added Valence’s third. Ryan Robinson was named manof-the-match. Sutton Valence 2nds bounced back from their first Kent Open Premier C defeat with Rob Bray’s hat-trick in a 6-1 win at Burnt Ash. Valence were pinned back early on but took the lead on the counter-attack through Tom Wilson. Two more goals followed before half-time, both scored by Bray, who’s recently returned to hockey. Valence expected a second-half fightback but it didn’t happen and Chris Sheldon made it 4-0. That was followed by a goal-ofthe-season contender as onetouch passing featuring six players was finished by Bray for his hat-trick. Tom Bartlett made it six before Burnt Ash replied. Valence 3rds became the first team to take a point off Kent Division 3 leaders New Beccs in a 3-3 draw. A strong move set up Reuben Collingwood in the D but a penalty flick made it 1-1. Valence twice fought back from a goal down after the break. Rob Cockayne poked in the first equaliser from close range and Johnny Walker’s solo effort made it 3-3. Sutton Valence vets deserved their 2-1 success against Teddington Tigers in the Southern Counties Conference. Valence trailed but the midfield trio of Nigel Bardsley, Julian Mills and newcomer John Dinnis took control and Andy McVarish set up Lyndon Davies’ equaliser. Davies scored the winner a few minutes later, while Julian Mills was named man-of-the-match.