Things didn’t get off to the best of starts at Sutton Valence for Gravesham & Wellcome 2s as within 5 minutes of the start their Captain had to withdraw from play with a muscular strain. With other key players already missing and a debut for youngster Daniel Hofford – the team could now really be up against it.

The early stages had seen the team struggling to gain any foothold and this setback could have impacted them. Thankfully Jay Chima, coming on for Elliott, had other ideas.

In only the second attack since the injury he collected a pass from Andy Simpson to arrive top of the D and void of any challenge from the retreating defence buried a sweet reverse shot into the corner.

A flurry of short corners were being gifted to Sutton Valence, some questionable, but the defence held firm with Nav Tung leading from the back.

Harley Moss on one attack went close – hitting the post half way up after forcing his way through before finally getting his goal moments later. A long pass from Matty Lucas found his run but he seemed to go too wide. Luckily the goalkeeper had no idea where his goal was and Moss found the spot on the backboard in front of the befuddled keeper.

The last goal of the half saw a move started by Matty Lucas on the side going through 5 players and finally guided in at the back post by Simpson after good work from Tom Simcock – Si Bradley and Jon Booth had helped it along the way. It was a great way to end the half and text book stuff.

Now at a single sub the second half was more of a game management exercise in trying to ensure the clean sheet and to secure the win. Pros and cons – the Captain on the sideline was able to manage the subs so that the right players were able to rest. The team was helped massively by the versatility of Lucas who played all 5 attacking positions at various stages of the game.

They were also helped by the excellent performances in particular of Jesse Bradley and Chima – causing all sorts of problems for the home side with both unlucky not to find more goals.

Two more goals were to come, one after a defensive mistake was punished by Simpson- and he sealed off his hat-trick after a through ball from Simcock had fallen kindly after an awkward save.

The result saw the Gravesham side return to the top of the league as they welcome one of the Burnt Ash sides next week for what is expected to be a hard fought encounter.