Beck switched with Rowlands for the second half, as Vale channeled their frustration at the unjust scoreline into hard work and positivity during the second 45. Hard work across the pitch led to continued pressure from VCFC despite the absence of a substitute (again), or perhaps it was the capacity crowd of 3 (thanks to Jake Peattie, his housemate, and Chris Slater’s WAG) roaring the boys in pink on. However, Mitcham had two chances to grab a second with the game in the balance. First, having cut in from the left, the Mitcham striker (Kevin, we believe) was denied by an excellent double save from Rowlands, with Strang applying pressure as well, and then Strang headed another goalbound free kick off the line - making the most of his lanky frame and good leap. Having survived the brief onslaught, the Vale equaliser duly came from good work down the left from Beer and Moran, before Beck brilliantly headed across goal for Hardie to head home back post (1-1). Kevin then kicked the ball away and received a yellow card for time wasting, and was unsure of his name when giving it to the ref. Hope he remembers it soon.

 

Buoyed by the goal, Vale continued to work tirelessly for one another, pressing 10 yards higher up the pitch, and grabbed a second minutes later. A throw in from Woodbridge was flicked on well by the willing Beck, to which Slater channeled his inner Steven Gerrard - sweetly driving a half volley into the bottom corner, and sparking jubilant scenes (2-1). As the game wore on, Vale marshalled the middle of the park well, with Given, Clements and Strang giving Mitcham no time on the ball and snuffing out hope of a comeback. Slater hit the post with a header from a Beck corner (it felt as weird typing this as it did seeing it), as hopes of a third goal grew.

 

However, the game momentarily turned to farce with 10 minutes to go, thanks to an incident ridiculous even for Sunday League. No doubt fresh from a bottomless brunch living her best life with #thisone, one of Clapham’s many basics decided to stroll across Pitch 2 whilst play was still ongoing - as she sought out her chai latte from Starbucks. As this female walked slowly across the pitch, she did so to numerous comments from both teams, to which her justification was ‘my friends told me to cross it actually… you twats’. Such language is frankly disgusting, and any hopes she had of wooing one of Vale’s many eligible bachelors was undone with that foul mouthed comment. Some excellent time wasting from Rowlands was appreciated by all following this too, as the September heat began to tell.

 

Moran was not distracted by the rogue woman though, and from a free kick won by Beck just inside the Mitcham half minutes later, unintentionally put the game to bed. Ronaldinho he may not be, but his (trademark) accidental lob on the Mitcham keeper sent waves of relief across the team, as they enjoyed the sweet feeling of a two goal lead for the first time this season (3-1). County managed the final knockings of the game very well, drawing fouls and frustrating their beleaguered opponents.

 

A tough game in tough conditions, but one that tastes oh so sweet. ‘Play for the crest on the front, and they’ll remember the name on the back’ - an apt comment for today’s performance.

 

Paul Clements, I know you’ve been waiting for this all day, so it’d be great to get your thoughts on the game too (perhaps in some sort of VCFC forum?).

 

#upthecounty

 

FT: 3-1 (Hardie (61), Slater (70), Moran (84))

Floom Man of the Match Award: Given

​

Solfix Dick of the Day Award: Given