Thames Valley Mens 1s vs Kenley 1s 26th September 2009 at Kenley

An excited and enthusiastic Thames Valley began their new season in the Surrey Open Premier League which they were promoted to after a league winning campaign last year.

Thames Valley expected a tough contest from Kenley and they certainly got one. The pace was high from the start as both sides battled for possession in midfield. The 1st half saw the play head from one half to the other with neither team able to offer a chance on goal. Then a quick break from Kenley saw the home side go one up. Valley settled into the game and began to create opportunities from their possession. Some solid Kenley defending and failure to convert short corners meant the score could have been even but it remained 1-0 to Kenley. The second half bought a period of sustained pressure from Kenley who piled into their opponents half at pace, only some desperate defending and a spectacular goal line clearance from Rob Thrower keeping the Kenley attack at bay. Then, seemingly against the run of play, a long ball up the right created a Valley short corner. The strike on goal bringing about a goal mouth scramble where Ben Sibthorpe was able to tuck in an equaliser.

Kenley came straight back and after some more tough midfield exchanges and a stunning strike from a Kenley short corner made it 2-1 with 15 minutes to go. Then the play of the match from Kenley, a well rehearsed set play from outside the D left their centre forward wide open with just the goalie to beat and the ball was calmly finished to make it 3-1.

Valley stuck with their task and pushed forward, finding joy down the flanks which bought an excellent move from midfield to attack, Belgian Laurens Noten and debutant Ollie Crittenden combining very well to score Valley’s second and set up a final few minutes of tension for Kenley. Sadly it was not to be and Kenley took away the three points. Valley will be back stronger next week with positives to take from the first game and some hard work on the training ground.

Thames Valley’s next game will be against Bank of England next week at home pushback 12.00