On Saturday 1st February, both the First and Second teams travelled to Canterbury to face Kent College to kick off their season. Both teams were eager to get off to a strong start.

The First Team played some good football despite an uneven pitch, moving the ball around the opposition well. However, the team struggled to convert their possession into goals, and despite being the better team, we were unable to finish our chances. KCC capitalised on a few mistakes at the back, scoring twice to lead 0-2. Although SV created opportunities, we couldn’t find the back of the net, and KCC added a third goal, ending the match with a disappointing 0-3 loss.

On a more positive note, the Second Team took control of their game from the outset. They dominated possession and created several opportunities to score, converting five of those chances. Special mention goes to Sam C (Lower Sixth), who netted a hat trick, helping the team secure a dominant 5-0 victory.

Moving on to Wednesday, 5th February, the First Team looked to bounce back from their poor result against KCC with four changes to the squad. They faced an on-form Judd School, who had won 7 of their 8 games and scored 33 goals this season. The boys knew it would be a tough challenge, but they were determined to put in a strong performance.

SV started the match brightly, controlling possession and playing the better football. Their dominance paid off in the first 15 minutes when Wilfie W finished off some excellent team play. A quick switch from right to left saw him take a well-timed shot, which rebounded back to him for a composed finish. SV remained on top, creating further chances with quick passing sequences. Judd was limited to just one shot for most of the first half, until, just before the break, a loose header sequence in the penalty area allowed Judd’s striker to tap in from close range, making it 1-1 at halftime.

The boys came out of the break with confidence and started the second half strongly. Both teams battled hard in midfield, with Judd managing to gain the upper hand in possession. Despite their dominance, the SV defence stood firm, with the back four putting in an impressive shift, blocking shots and winning crucial duels.

With the score still 1-1, the match took a tense turn when a controversial handball in the box led to a penalty for Judd. With the pressure mounting, Judd’s midfielder stepped up to take the penalty, but Will D guessed the right way and made an outstanding save, parrying the ball away. This moment shifted the momentum back to SV. After calming the game down, SV had a couple more chances but couldn’t convert. Judd had another good spell, but the SV defence, led by the back four, limited their attacking opportunities with crucial tackles and blocks.

The match ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw, with the SV defenders and goalkeeper all playing superbly to keep Judd’s attack at bay. It was an all-round brilliant effort from the players, particularly the defence. Looking ahead, SV will aim to build on this strong performance as they face MGS away on 26th February, who have won 17 of their 20 games this season.