Asianos Reserves 1-2 Vale County
London Sunday Junior Cup
Wanstead Flats
06/10/19
Vale secured a first ever London Cup victory after coming from behind to beat Asianos Reserves away in Wanstead - making it 5/5.
Pre-match was more of a farce than a warm up (there was literally no warm up), following Glastonbury’s decision to release tickets on the same day of Vale’s furthest away day of the season. However, Rowlands got his first of the day at around 9:30am, securing tickets for a lucky few.
We were also told to hang the nets up by Asianos Reserves, their secretary citing ‘London Cup Rules’. Thankfully the referee had his equally bullshit London Cup Rules to hand with Vale 1-0 down...
C.Cheshire started in net, with Woodbridge, Beer, Beck and McNicholas across the back. Given, Humphrey and Dolby were the midfield three, with Peattie and Walmsley out on the wings supporting the buoyant Rowlands.
With everyone’s evermore receding hairlines looking lovely in the swirling wind, the match kicked off - with Vale playing into the hurricane in the first half. Asianos were making use of the considerable wind to pin Vale in from blue & white goal kicks, and had one clear cut chance early on that Cheshire did well to close the angle down on. Aside from that, their pressure was more territorial - with few openings being created.
Vale were looking dangerous on the counter, with Rowlands and Peattie linking up well from the left and Walmsley keeping the diminutive left back occupied too. Indeed, Rowlands had a one-on-one saved by the keeper, and flashed another shot wide of the far post after outpacing the overweight Varys. The master of whisperers he was not, and definitely not the master of defending - giving away a corner at every available opportunity.
However, the first goal came for Asianos. A deflected ball through from midfield definitely didn’t go under Beck’s foot, and the Asianos striker made no mistake this time around, slotting calmly past Cheshire (1-0). Minutes later and it was 2-0… or at least should have been. A corner was punched up in the air by Cheshire, where an Asianos attacker then headed the ball into the net via Peattie’s best impression of Luis Suarez. However, the man in blue and white - sorry black - then blew his whistle for a Vale free kick instead, citing that you ‘cannot touch the opposition keeper in the six yard box’. Never read that ourselves ref but thank you very much. Did it prove a turning point?
With it looking like we were going into half-time a goal down, Given was put through, showing a surprising turn of pace to out race the Pierluigi Collina lookalike at the back, before his attempted chip was well blocked by the keeper - and his follow-up header was cleared on the line. Rowlands hit a half volley just wide, and then moments later the final chance of the half came from Walmsley and Woodbridge working an opening following good play from Peattie - but an overhit cross ended a good chance.
HT: 0-1 ft. Given offering his services up top
The returning Foley and MacKenzie came on for the start of the second half, which was notably to be played with the wind. Almost immediately Vale realised the reason for Asianos pressure during the first half had not been their football, but the elements at play. Vale were immediately on the front foot, and Dolby, now playing from the left, had one effort saved and flashed another over. The pressure continued, with the game being played exclusively in the Asianos half.
A throw-in from Woodbridge found Rowlands, who swept the ball on to Peattie - who made no mistake from 12 yards out (1-1). He needs to stop scoring, otherwise we’ll have to come up with a new song…
Vale pressure continued following the equaliser, and the second goal came soon after. A quick throw-in from Foley met Humphrey, who dropped a delightful ball from roughly 20 feet in the air onto Rowlands’ ever growing head - as he powered it past the keeper to give Vale a well-deserved lead (2-1). Cheshire was a spectator by this point, wishing he had an official VCFC cap to better watch the action at the other end of the pitch (watch this space)
McNicholas sliced one wide from a few yards out, missing the opportunity to put the tie to bed - but it mattered not. Woodbridge, Beer, Beck and MacKenzie kept things tight at the back for the final knockings of the game, the final whistle went - and Vale celebrated a first cup victory of any kind since 2015.
That’s five wins out of five games played this season, with two defeats of any kind so far in 2019. It’s October. We’re a new club in London. Up the fucking County.
FT: 1-2 Peattie (60), Rowlands (75)
Floom Man of the Match Award: Beck
Solfix Dick of the Day Award: Beck
EXTRA TIME
This week: Our lovely number 23 got attacked in Lisbon (we hope you’re alright Charlie) but there can only be one figure in the column this week. Sorry Fraser, but this content just has to be immortalised (thank you for contributing this week lanky pale swede, even with your career threatening ankle injury).
.jpeg)
