Valley defy the odds

Things didn't look good. Sanderstead second in the table, Valley struggling for numbers. Saturday morning cry-off by JK meant that Bidds was down to nine bodies. However, Postie & Boastie pulled a few strings and both turned up for the game - excellent work chaps. Sanderstead very kindly provided us with two umpires and so we were able to field eleven men.

Game started, bit of midfield action and then Valley's first attack. Boastie collected the ball in midfield, dribbled forward and laid the ball off to JC who took it across the D and shot. Goal! 1 - 0 to the Valley. Bit more midfield action and then Sanderstead's winger found himself unmarked in the D. Shot and very well taken goal. 1 - 1 after 10 minutes.

Sanderstead attacked, Valley held firm and, basically, that was the story of the rest of the game. Not the full story however. Valley had some good breakaway chances, including two penalty corners and a near miss by Postie. Dynamic midfield play by Valley meant that most of Sanderstead's possession was restricted to between the twenty five lines. Excellent work by Alex denied their centre forward any ball and breakthroughs by Sanderstead were dealt with by the back three of Gerry, Marc and an out of position Bidds playing out of his skin. Derek was called into action a few times, but no real shots on goal. Newts kept the pressure on their defence harassing their backs whenever they had the ball and JC and Jono ran around tirelessly up front.

And then with fifteen minutes to go, a high & hard ball from Sanderstead caught Boastie on the forearm. Looked bad. A three minute monologue from him consisting entirely of the word f*ck and we all thought the arm was broken. A visit to St Peter's revealed that it was gentle bruising and a bit of a lump.

With Boastie off the pitch we were down to ten men and there followed fifteen minutes of excitement with Sanderstead pressing forward and Valley resolutely defending. With the exception of one forward dangled up front for breakaways, Valley had nine players behind the ball. Brilliant defending, panic defending, Summit seeming to be in two places at once and some excellent saves from Derek meant that the game finished at 1 - 1, despite a last minute penalty corner by Sanderstead.

A good result for the Valley with everybody playing their best hockey. Good individual performances and a first class team performance. I can't remember when we put together such a good team effort.

[Ed: Thanks to Marc Fisher for the match report ]