HOCKEY: TURNILL’S TREBLE LEADS VALENCE TO AWAY VICTORY

Andy Turnill’s hat-trick helped Sutton Valence men’s 1sts retain third spot in SE Division 3 Invicta with a 4-0 victory at Sittingbourne 3rds on Saturday.

The game was end-to-end in the first 15 minutes but there was little action for visiting keeper Stewart Young.

Valence then broke the deadlock when Alex Hodges won a penalty corner which Turnill drag-flicked home. They doubled their lead five minutes later as Turnill scored the second with a cool finish.

A third Valence goal arrived halfway through the second period when Matt Luksich was gifted the ball and bore down on goal to skilfully lift the ball over the on-rushing keeper before Turnill got his third after yet another Luksich interception. Luksich shared Valence player-ofthe-match honours with Turnill.

The 2nds saw their Division 7 fixture abandoned at the request of visitors Sevenoaks 8ths who felt the astroturf pitch was too slippery. Third-placed Sutton Valence 3rds recovered well in their 2-2 Division 9 draw at Ashford 6ths.

With no substitutions, the away team knew it was going to be a tough game, but were pleased to see a return for Lee Croucher in goal. Ashford led at the break and bagged a second goal early in the second half.

With little more than five minutes left, a scramble in Ashford’s D created an opportunity and Sutton’s Henry Humphrey scored.

Then a sideline ball was passed to Charlie Tucker who chipped over the opposition’s stick to Bob Bartlett. He struck on the volley to ensure Valence took a share of the spoils.