Blackheath Wanderers 1 vs. Vale FC 8
Vale FC U16s did themselves and the club proud today as they marched through to the Bexley League Under 16 Cup Final with a great result and, considering the very poor bobbly surface and heavy playing conditions, a fine performance.
Blackheath set their stall out to compete physically and shut Vale down in possession, but never really mounted an attack of any real note throughout the first half. However, they did try to take the game to Vale who had a few half-chances that were spurned until Obi Nwanokwu broke the deadlock on the fifteen-minute mark. Latching on to a precision slide-rule pass from Zach Rhoden, the skipper used his strength and pace to advance on goal before crashing a low shot across the face of the goal into the far corner of the net.
It was Nwanokwu again who was fouled from behind to be awarded a penalty five minutes later when bearing down on goal. Left back Scott Borg assumed responsibility to despatch the place kick with great aplomb, low and accurate to the keeper’s left to bring the score to 2-0… and Vale now went into overdrive.
With nerves settled and confidence on the up, Vale started to move the ball around admirably to feet on a very uneven surface that wasn’t really conducive to their typically characteristic flowing football. But… and credit to them… they continued to do exactly that, demonstrating confidence and comfort on the ball in every department.
The back four of Daniel de Weever, David Bonsu, Keanu Legal-Miller and Scott Borg, though never really examined, stood firm and quelled every sniff of an attack before it was allowed to develop. De Weever excelled with a succession of timely interceptions and outstanding distribution from the right back berth.
The midfield quartet of Jake Bernard, Zachary Rhoden, Devante Walters and Paul Sewell battled in the quagmire to great effect. Rhoden was dogged and tireless with his work-rate, where Walters provided the quality, class and creativity to keep the forwards busy. On an exceptionally narrow pitch, wingers Sewell and Bernard struggled to find any useful space, but stuck to their tasks and eventually began to influence the game… both defending well when required, and supporting the attack going forward.
Skipper Nwanokwu scored his second and Vale’s third after strike partner Austin Otchere refused to let the Wanderers defence settle on the ball, chasing and harrying them into conceding possession to him. Otchere crossed for Nwanokwu to bury the chance with a cushioned instep volley and effectively end the game as a contest. Nwanokwu went on to score his third first-half hat-trick of the season five minutes before the break, again benefiting from industrious effort from Bernard and Otchere.
The second half, however, was all about Austinho Otchere, when he turned from goal provider to goal scorer. Vale continued to dominate possession and create chances… and Otchere maintained his first half endeavour to bag all four goals in the second half. Profiting from two identical long-range efforts by Nwanokwu and Borg that cannoned off the Wanderers post, Otchere was first to react to smash the ball home on the rebound on both occasions. He served up the goal of the game in between these two efforts when he sent a looping headed effort into the back of the net from Bernard’s pinpoint whipped cross to register his hat-trick. Bernard must be applauded for his surging runs down the right wing… which became a feature of the second half that terrorised the Blackheath defenders into panic. More consistency on the quality of the ball into the box from Bernard would surely have resulted in a double figure score sheet.
Unfortunately, at 7-0 up and apparently running the clock down, Vale conceded a corner and, much to their consternation, keeper Jamie McLeod lost the flight of the ball and allowed it to drift over his outstretched arm into the net for them to score directly from the corner kick.
However, this was not to be the last action of the day as Austinho scored his fourth to end the game on a high and Vale to celebrate their progression to the cup final.
This was a very well deserved victory and a great all-round performance from Vale, who have now earned the opportunity to win the Bexley League Cup and turn around the result that eluded them in last season’s cup final.
Well done lads… you’ve earned it!
Vale: McLeod; de Weever; Bonsu; Legal-Miller; Borg (1 – pen); Bernard; Rhoden; Walters; Sewell; Nwanokwu (3); Otchere (4)
Sub: Fakolujo (not used)
Goal Scoring Chart:
Goal Scoring Chart:
- Obi Nwanokwu - 30
- Chris Richards - 12
- Austin Otchere - 12
- Scott Borg - 11
- Jake Bernard - 7
- Tevon Webster - 3
- Shaquile Fakolujo - 2
- Paul Sewell - 2
- Devante Walters - 1
- Kyle Haynes-Robertson - 1
- David Bonsu - 1
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