Uninspired… and uninspiring… Vale’s bubble bursts in turgid 5-4 league victory.

Vale FC Under 16 Match Report 7Uninspired… and uninspiring… Vale’s bubble bursts in turgid 5-4 league victory.

Vale FC 5 vs. Fleetdown United FC 4

Bexley League U 16 Division A League Match 21st November 2010

On the basis of this performance it would appear complacency has set into the Vale U16 squad after enjoying field-days and goal-sprees against previous but, with resp...ect, sub-standard opposition over the past few weeks. It’s probably fair to say that, without exception, none of the boys covered themselves with glory today.

Having been warned about the dangers of complacency prior to kick-off, it seemed the message didn’t get through. Despite taking an early lead through skipper Obi Nwanokwu who was persistent in the box to eventually thrash the ball into the roof of the net, swiftly followed by goals from Jake Bernard and Paul Sewell who showed good composure to finish off a well-worked move across the keeper, spectators would have been forgiven in thinking another cricket score was imminent.

However, this was not to materialise.

Fleetdown fought their way back into the game with a never-say-die attitude, showing superior hunger, and desire and forcing Vale into uncharacteristic individual and team errors. Vale were way below par and very few showed the strength of character and commitment to battle their way back to dominate the proceedings. Inevitably they came unstuck with a ball through the middle that the lone Fleetdown forward latched on to and lobbed McLeod in goal to bring the score to 3-1.

Without ever really getting into their usual flow, Vale scored another two before half-time through Austin Otchere and Scott Borg’s goal of the game which he swept into the roof of the net from just outside the area.

5-1 up at half-time, you would have been excused for thinking the game was over as a contest… but nothing was further from the truth. Vale failed to build and improve on their first half performance and allowed the opposition back into game. Other than the occasional sweet passages of play, Vale were mainly dispirited and disjointed, failing to dominate in any area of the pitch, inviting Fleetdown almost to attack at will.

Fleetdown won a succession of corners and, with increasing confidence, started to dominate play, overrunning the Vale midfield and pressurising the back four. Their commitment, work rate and effort were duly rewarded with three goals in the second half, to which Vale had no response and, in all honesty, by the end of the game Vale were hanging on to their one-goal advantage.

As indicated earlier, Vale were way below the standards they’ve set themselves this season. But, probably more worrying, almost as a team they failed to rise to the occasion against what must be considered to be, at least (and with respect) mediocre opposition.

All in all, this was a disappointing performance.

However, to take the positives out of the game…… the boys didn’t surrender their lead, they remain unbeaten in the league, and another three points on the table is not to be sniffed at in the long-term quest for the league title.

Vale:    McLeod; Rhoden; Bonsu; Walters; Borg (1); Bernard (1); Fakolujo; De Weever; Sewell (1); Nwanokwu (1); Otchere (1)

Goal Scoring Chart:

1. Obi Nwanokwu – 21
2. Chris Richards – 12
3. Scott Borg – 10
4. Jake Bernard – 7
5. Austin Otchere – 6
6. Tevon Webster – 3
7. Shaquile Fakolujo – 2
8. Paul Sewell - 2
9. Devante Walters – 1
10. Kyle Haynes-Robertson – 1

Nwanokwu notches nine in 19-0 Bexley League Cup first round rampage.

Beckenham Town FC 0 vs. Vale FC 19



Bexley League Cup Match (first round) 14th November 2010



Reduced to only nine fit and available players, Vale U16s
went into the first round of the Bexley League Cup against ten-man Beckenham
Town with instructions to remain
disciplined, keep their shape, and play possession football to overcome any
potential threat from the opposition. To their credit, and to a man, Vale
played exactly as required and, after five minutes, capitalised on their
superior ability go take the lead through left-winger Scott Borg.



Starting with stand-in keeper Paul Sewell and a defensive
trio Keanu Legal-miller at right back, Shaquile Fakolujo central and Devante
Walters at left back, Vale locked up shop totally. All three looked unbeatable
and impenetrable, winning everything in the air and on the floor to feed the
midfield. Fakolujo was particularly impressive… disciplined, calm, assured,
strong and determined. With such defensive solidity, the midfield saw a lot of
the ball and continued to keep possession by playing excellent football to
feet, working lots of triangles and playing wingmen Borg and Jake Bernard in to
terrorise the opposition defence. Benefiting from Austin Otchere’s work rate in
breaking up play, Zach Rhoden excelled in the middle of the park, winning
everything and distributing with magnificent vision and class with a totally
outstanding and dominating contribution.



As the headline suggests, skipper and lone front man Obi
Nwanokwu took full advantage of his team’s dominance, snapping up four before
half time, with Bernard and Borg bringing the score to 8-0 at the break.



The second half saw a couple of changes, including Fakolujo swapping
with Rhoden  to play a more advanced role,
and Sewell swapping with Walters who went in goal. What didn’t change was the
quality and pattern of play, and the discipline that ensured Vale would go on
to even greater heights. Fakolujo remained dominant and creative, and Rhoden
majestic and imperious.



Walters provided safety, consistency and creativity when
introduced at left back for the second half, and Legal-Miller added extra
potency down the right wing when he swapped with Bernard midway through the
second half. In fact, he was unlucky not to get on the score sheet himself with
a couple of efforts that tested the keeper.



A feature of Vale’s season so far has been the number of
players getting on the score sheet from a variety of positions. This was
certainly the case with Fakolujo and Otchere converting their chances, (Otchere
scoring the perfect hat-trick…right foot, left foot, header), and then Paul
Sewell with his debut goal for Vale from left wing. Nwanokwu delivered another
five in the second half to rack up nine on the day, and it’s only fair to
mention that the quality of service was excellent from Bernard and Borg on the
wings, and Fakolujo through the middle.



Inevitably, Vale produced more chances than they finished,
but it’s always the case that not EVERY chance will be converted. However, the
goal-per-chance ratio was very impressive. Equally impressive was the attitude
and application of every Vale player, each of whom played with a degree of
maturity and discipline that ensured, regardless of the one-man deficit, there
was only going to be one winner in this first-round cup tie.



So… very encouraging with regards to maintaining shape,
discipline, quality and pattern of play… very respectful in their attitude and
approach… very exciting exuberance and style… and clinical finishing… a great
result AND performance.



But above all… when the chips were down… outnumbered and
without a keeper, this team showed fantastic character, spirit and dedication
to the cause. Particularly noteworthy for this were Paul Sewell and Devante
Walters for taking turns to go in goal… then contributing on the pitch in a
really positive and constructive manner…. Excellent performance all round…



Well done!



Vale:    Walters; ;
Legal-Miller; Fakolujo (1); Borg (4); Otchere (3); Rhoden;  Fakolujo (1); Bernard (1); Nwanokwu (9);



Goal Scoring Chart:

 Nwanokwu – 20
Chris Richards – 12
Scott Borg – 9
Jake Bernard – 6
Austin Otchere – 5
Tevon Webster – 3
Shaquile Fakolujo – 2
DevanteWalters – 1
Kyle Haynes-Robertson – 1
Paul Sewell - 1

Skipper Nwanokwu scores four as Vale maintain their surge to the top!

Vale FC 9 vs. Gravesend Spartans 2

League Match 7^th November 2010

Vale U16s continued to claw back the points deficit in the Bexley League Under 16 A Division with this well-worked win against a spirited, well organised and competitive Gravesend Spartans side.

The opening exchanges were relatively cagey until Vale started to get into their stride by playing the ball to feet and showing their technical quality. Sticking to the task and assessing the opposition in a sensible and mature manner, Vale’s patience paid off after ten minutes when skipper Nwanokwu put them 1-0 up, then 2-0 up 20 minutes later, showing growing confidence and clinical finishing ability in his new role as second striker.

Jamie McLeod was hardly tested in goal for the first 35 minutes, but got beaten by a speculative near post effort on a rare Gravesend break. 2-1 down at the half time break, Gravesend demonstrated that, if allowed to play, they were a dangerous outfit and will punish their opponents. With this warning ringing in their ears from Coach Fakolujo, Vale went back into the second half fray in a more determined manner. Skipper Nwanokwu eased any lingering nerves with his third and fourth goals of the match, putting the result pretty much beyond dispute.

Vale developed on their 4-0 lead and rose to the occasion with increased confidence, and the goals eventually began to flow in keeping with the flowing football Vale are capable of. Top striker Chris Richards, who had made an excellent contribution as the Vale target man with his admirably high work rate, converted two chances that his effort and industry had deserved. Richards and Nwanokwu appear to be developing a very potent understanding and strike partnership that seems full of goals and very encouraging for the future.

Defenders Walters, Bonsu, Legal-Miller and Rhoden rarely, if ever, looked like being seriously threatened, with Bonsu particularly commanding in the air to help keep the pressure in the Gravesend half of the pitch, and all four were strong in the tackle and creative in possession, feeding the midfield and forwards throughout the match.

Daniel de Weever produced a sterling holding midfield role in breaking up play, and had the increasingly-influential Shaquile Fakolujo playing around him to create and deliver a consistent series of short and long-range passes from central midfield. Wide-men Bernard and Borg played to instructions and supplied the front line with a stream of quality deliveries.

Substitutes Sewell and Otchere were introduced to good effect, with Sewell showing some quality in his movement off the ball and a growing understanding of the requirements for “playing the Vale way”. Otchere got on the score sheet again for the second game running… two goals in two games off the bench is a very respectable set of statistics for the newcomer, who shows great determination and will to get involved to make a positive impact on the game.

The pick of the goals came from Jake Bernard and Scott Borg to bring the score to 9-2, after Gravesend clawed one back to make it 7-2 after a Vale defensive lapse in concentration. Firstly, Bernard took a direct free kick from outside the area which he curled over the wall and under the bar… a superbly controlled effort.

However, Borg served up probably the goal of the game to top Bernard’s claim. Gaining possession 30 yards out he kept the ball close to his feet and, with no visible passing option in front of him, unleashed an unstoppable drive from 25 yards out that crashed into the net top bins, leaving the keeper with no chance of saving it.

All in all, this was a steady, sensible and sturdy performance by Vale, where bagging the three points was more important than the performance and goal margin. Whilst Vale didn’t hit their usual free-flowing style consistently throughout the game, they certainly outplayed their opponents and, where the attractive football was being played, it was being played by Vale. So… despite conceding goals for the first time this season, this was a good result against decent opposition… another nine goals and three points in the bag…

Well done Vale!

Vale:    McLeod; Rhoden; Bonsu; Legal-Miller; Borg (1); Bernard (1); Fakolujo; De Weever; Walters; Nwanokwu (4); Richards (2)

Sewell; Otchere (1);

Goal Scoring Chart:

1. Obi Nwanokwu – 11
2. Chris Richards – 10
3. Scott Borg – 5
4. Jake Bernard – 5
5. Tevon Webster – 3
6. Austin Otchere – 2
7. Devante Walters – 2
8. Shaquile Fakolujo – 1
9. Kyle Haynes-Robertson - 1