Vale County 1-0 Wimbledon Town B
Clapham Common Pitch 1
23/08/20
Vale started the 2020/21 season off in the manner their fans demand: a clean sheet with a late set piece goal to defeat Wimbledon Town B on a hot September morning on Clapham Common.
Starting XI
C.Cheshire started in net, with Woodbridge, Beer, Wignall and Brazil across the back. Dolby, Wignall and Given were in midfield, with Young and Foley either side of Clements.
A match that was supposed to be played on pitch 2 was instead played on neighbouring pitch 1, due to what can only be described as the absence of a football pitch - with no penalty box markings for the far goal. Given Vale’s perilous financial position, perhaps this was a blessing in disguise, with a full refund being lobbied both by Vale & the SSFL. This potential £35 could be the difference between the club meeting FFP or not, so let’s not understate it.
Vale started strongly, pressing from the front and finding joy down the flanks. There was nearly a very early goal, as a ball from Woodbridge found Clements, who muscled past a Wimbledon defender before curling a shot that seemed goalbound, but came back off the near post.
Given’s forays forward were gaining Vale territory and chances, with Dolby and Slater controlling the middle of the very uneven park, recycling possession from attack to attack. A period of sustained pressure saw the ball just not falling quite right for Young on a few occasions inside the Wimbledon box.
Number 12 for Wimbledon was a very strange young man, albeit one with a keen interest in Native Americans. A ball went out for one of the clearest Vale throw-ins you’ll ever see, but he launched into a tirade of HOW’s to the ref - over and over and over and over and over - the spell of repetition really was on him. Couldn’t quite make out what was being said by various players on the left side to him over the shrill cackle of Peattie heckling, but I’m sure it was all similarly abusive.
Introduced halfway through the half, the returning Banjo caused chaos up top, his hold up play allowing Vale to get well up the pitch. His return was almost rewarded with a goal, as he broke clear only for his shot to be well saved by the erratic Wimbledon keeper.
The heat appeared to get to Vale at a point through, and Wimbledon made the most of some sloppy VCFC play for 10 minutes or so. First they forced an excellent save from Cheshire, who pushed a goalbound shot round the post, before Brazil made a crucial challenge back post to deny the Wimbledon striker a clear effort on goal from the resulting corner.
HT: 0-0
A man thinking about his recent crimes
The second half saw a full Vale debutant, with Cozens at left back motoring ( 😏) up and down the left flank and defending well throughout the second 45. For Wignall and Beer, the second half was in much the same vein as the first - the duo mopping up everything throughout the game, effortlessly limiting the handy looking Wimbledon striker to a couple of half chances.
Young was on the receiving end of a De Jong esque tackle as tempers started to fray, with Hussain having to be bullied into issuing another yellow card to Wimbledon (which could’ve been red). Our friend number 12 couldn’t believe the decision, and whilst whining to the ref once more, Brazil saw the empty stage, took the mic and then delivered a volley of HOW’s, leading to rapturous Vale laughter from all sides of the pitch.
The game was deserving of a Vale goal, but it just kept eluding the boys in blue - with Peattie and Clements both coming close. Rowlands saw the headlines, stopped feigning injury, and came on with 20 to go and the Vale pressure relentless - almost making an immediate impact. A ball from Young set him free down the middle, and he was clearly fouled by the last defender twice - once outside the box and then inside the box - preventing him from getting a clean shot away. A red card and penalty appeared the only option, but Mr Hussain decided a yellow card and goal kick was the answer. Vale were quite rightly outraged, and Doug ‘Pinto’ Beck was halfway across the pitch shouting all sorts. The Wimbledon ‘coach’ claimed their player wasn’t the last man, his delusional state ever more concerning on such a hot day.
The state of the game was unchanged however, and Vale corners started to come thick and fast. Following one which almost went directly in via a divot, the goal threatened since minute one finally arrived - and it was everything you could dream of. Slater curled in a corner towards the back post, and who else but Rowlands was there to nod the ball in (1-0). So sweet.
Wimbledon instantly won a corner following the goal, and the initial clearance looked to be cleared - but was connected with perfectly on the volley by a Wimbledon player. The defence turned with the flight of the ball, but why did we ever worry? Cheshire beat it into the ground before gathering it in. From his kick Foley displayed a lovely little touch late on down the left touchline, setting up the move that nearly added Andy Gray’s favourite dessert topping to the already delicious Vale cake - but it ended with Clements shooting just past the post.
From the goal kick, Wimbledon poured men forward, and a ball broke free - but a combination of Wignall and Woodbridge denied a clean shot and forced the corner - from which an overhit volley signalled the end of the match and big phat W for the Vale.
A win for Putney Pacers today suggests they’ll mean business at the top end of table again, so a much needed victory for Vale on gameweek 1.
FT: 1-0 Rowlands (88)
CustomKit man of the match: Wiggy
Floom dicks of the day: Foley / their coach
The Vale pressing machine in action