Vale County 4-2 Kew Antigua B

The match started badly before it’d even begun, as Woodbridge ‘lost’ the coin toss - meaning Vale kicked into the wind and low sun for the first half. 

 

Kew applied all the early pressure, and were making use of the favourable conditions - with an attack-minded setup penning Vale back, particularly with any high ball coming back towards the Vale goal in the wind. After some early sighters, they took the lead. Following the award of a debatable free kick, Vale dealt with the initial ball in well, but the second phase saw some pinball, before an unmarked Kew player tucked home a loose ball well (0-1). 

 

The pattern of play didn’t change following the goal, and only some excellent saves by Cheshire (including one into the puddle around the post) kept Vale in the game at this point. Some excellent work with Slater and Foley down the left saw Young put through on goal - and his effort was bundled home on the line by Walmsley to equalise (1-1).

 

Whilst looking dangerous when the ball went forward, Kew were equally susceptible at the back, and only some last ditch defending denied Vale a couple of clear chances. However, despite growing into the game, some very slack Vale defending saw a throw in from Kew find a midfielder in acres of space, and he split the defence to find a striker who finished well (1-2). We’ll blame the sun for this one.

 

As half-time drew nearer, Kew were pressing for a third - the last attack of which allowed Vale to equalise. A clearance from Beck was pounced on by two Kew players who didn’t communicate - and collided in the middle of the pitch. Walmsley got on the loose ball and directed it towards Young. The Vale forward had a lot to do, with a bouncing ball and advancing keeper, but he expertly lobbed it over the Kew #1 from outside the box and into the net - despite the best efforts of a retreating defender (2-2). Cue cheers from the Vale support (Lanky Swede and Jack, where are youuu?)

 

HT: 2-2

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Fresh from his trip to Colombia, Pablo Peattie was on for the second half with Odidjia, as Foley and Walmsley took breathers.

 

The change of ends saw Vale instantly apply more pressure in the second half, with Dolby and Given seeing more of the ball - and Kew attacks being stopped much nearer the source.

 

Following one excellent delivery from a corner, Young went to take another. The submersion of the corner quadrant led him to placing the ball out of the water, which the tool of a linesman took issue with, moving it back into the water. Young, the true gent that he is, was happy with that and motioned to take the corner. The rest of the team aren’t as kind, and screamed at the ref and lino until the decision was reversed. 

 

The game was becoming stretched, allowing for space in behind both defences. Given was close to getting on the end of a few balls into the Kew box, before a quick Kew break saw a combination of Woodbridge and Beer preventing the Kew striker getting a shot away. From a corner moments later Beer used his ‘obliques baby’ to divert a dangerous ball away once more, as Vale endured some Kew pressure again.

 

The game went into the final ten minutes with Vale back in the ascendency - before a big decision (somehow) didn’t go their way. For Schumacher and Platini, see Walmsley and the Kew keeper. A ball across the box found Walmsley in acres of space - and whilst his shot was high, wide and not at all handsome - the tackle that came in minutes later from the keeper was far worse. The ginger Samwell Tarley was  unimpressed however, and pointed for a goal kick. The Vale players were enraged, and rightly so. Minutes later however, justice was served by Sheriff Beck.

 

Following some beaverish pressing, Peattie drew a foul on the left hand side of the Kew box. An excellent delivery from Slater found Walmsley (whose price on fantasy continues to rise weekly), who nodded back across for Beck to head/kick/chest home (3-2).

 

Peattie won a couple of free kicks in the corner, as some game management was employed by County for the final few minutes. From a free kick right in the corner, to quote Slater ‘I had to take it into the box’ - and he did, putting in a cross for FF7 to convert near post and kill the game off (4-2). 

 

An excellent win to round off 2019, and maintain our unbeaten record against SSFL teams this season. Vale eagerly await the draw for the next round, and will be looking to go again in 2020 - for what promises to be a big year for the club.

 

See you all on January 5th, x

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FT: 4-2 Walmsley (25), Young (42), Beck (82) & Foley (90)

 

Floom Man of the Match Award: Slater

Solfix Dick of the Day Award: Peattie

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EXTRA TIME

This week: Stats. Stats. Stats. Brought to you by @optarowlands

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22 - There were 22 competitive matches between Fraser Foley’s first and second goals since Vale reformed in London. Like-buses. 

 

1080 - Barnaby Woodbridge is the only Vale player to play every minute of matches this season. Ever present unfortunately.

 

2.2 - Doug Beck is averaging a dick of the day every 2.2 matches this season. DICK.

 

2 - Al and Cal Cheshire have both appeared in 6 matches each this season with a combined total of 2 clean sheets (Cal - 2 and Al - 0). Sorry Al.

 

5 - Jake Peattie is the first player this season to register a goal, assist, yellow card, MOTM and DOTD. Jake of all trades.

 

20 - Despite registering 20 combined goals and assists (12 goals and 8 assists) in just 10 appearances this season, Jack Rowlands is yet to win a MOTM award. Disgrace.

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35 - 35 humans have represented Vale since the start of the 2018-19 season. P.Moran, Solano, Jeffrey, Smitherman, who?

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