FC Sutton Dynamo 0 vs Vale FC 6
After seven weeks without a game the Vale U16s were champing at the bit for some sorely-missed competitive football, which came for them in this Bexley League Under 16 Cup. In very blustery conditions and on an uneven surface, Vale defended against the wind in the first half.
However, despite their excitement and enthusiasm, the first 10-15 minutes saw Vale forced to soak up intense pressure, with Dynamo using the wind to force the play and keep Vale pinned in their own half, who were seemingly unable to settle on the ball and retain possession. Apart from one chance that fell to Obi Nwanokwu that was foiled by the Dynamo keeper in the opening exchanges, it was evident Vale would need to be at the races if they were to get anything out of this game.
Slowly but surely, Vale confidence grew, especially in response to the sterling and resilient performances of the Vale back three. Zach Rhoden, David Bonsu and Keanu Legal-Miller were all in dogged yet imperious form, comfortably dealing with the early Dynamo onslaught in the air and on the floor to feed the midfield.
Playing a 3-5-2 formation, debut player Ridge Mataka slotted in the middle to wonderful effect, showing excellent technical ability and tactical awareness. With Kyle Haynes-Robertson in outstanding form, winning everything in front of the back three and breaking up play with exceptional commitment and work-rate, Mataka provided the creative impetus with an almost continual stream of short and long-range passes that invariably hit the intended target. In deed it was one of Mataka's through-balls that proved to be the key to unlock the Dynamo door after 20 minutes. Devante Walters fed Mataka who slipped Nwanokwu through on goal and, with the ball setting up nicely for him, Nwanokwu crashed an unstoppable volley past the keeper from 12 yards to settle Vale nerves.
With the luxury of a 1-0 lead, admittedly against the run of play at this stage, Vale seemed to begin to express themselves more competently. Walters was neat and tidy, though at times got sucked out of position. Scott Borg grew into the match and started to pose a serious threat down the left flank, as did Jake Bernard on the right. Keeping better possession of the ball meant that Vale were able to control the flow of the game and dictate proceedings. Bernard began to roast the left back and deliver a string of dangerous crosses from the right, and Borg showed increasing strength added to his outrageous ability on the ball from the left to keep the Dynamo defence on constant alert.
Regardless of Vale's 1-0 lead Dynamo still presented a very real threat. Keeper Jamie McLeod was kept busy fielding Dynamo forays into the Vale penalty area. McLeod's starting position was spot-on as he, at times, played like a sweeper to nullify Dynamo's mainly long-ball tactics. Nwanokwu scored his second with another thunderous shot which he thrashed past the Dynamo keeper on the 30 minute mark. After creating space for himself on the edge of the area to take the ball in his stride, he clinically despatched his shot past the advancing keeper.
Vale's anxieties, like the tie, were finally settled five minutes before the half time whistle when Nwanokwu completed his first-half hat-trick with a looping header from Borg's in-swining cross from the left after great approach work from centre forward Chris Richards. Richards led the line exceptionally well as a reliable target-man but, unfortunately, was unable to convert two or three chances that fell to him in the first half.
With the wind behind them for the second half, Vale increased the tempo with fresh legs with the introduction of Paul Sewell for Walters, Austin "goal-a-game" Otchere for Richards, and Daniel de Weever for Mataka in midfield. Whilst this tactical switch slightly disrupted the pattern of play, Vale stayed in the ascendancy, being stronger and more committed in midfield and playing triangles around Dynamo to keep them fully occupied in their own half. Bernard was up-ended in the box to win a penalty at the end of an inspirational Vale move. Nwanokwu stepped up to crash the spot-kick to the keeper's right. Unbelievably, the keeper managed to get a strong hand on it to push it over the bar for a corner... an outstanding save.
Inevitably, Otchere got his just reward for his tireless running and chasing down seemingly lost causes when he guided de Weever's through-ball with a deft touch around the on-rushing Dynamo keeper to roll it into the back of the net from the edge of the area.
Nwanokwu brought his goals tally for the season so far to 25 when he scored a two-yard tap-in after latching on to the tireless Otchere's cross from the bye-line.
Twenty five minutes were left on the clock when central defender David Bonsu scored his first of the season with an immaculate near-post flicked header from another Scott Borg corner, much to the delight of his Vale team-mates. Chris Richards, Devante Walters and Ridge Mataka were then re-introduced to see out the rest of the tie, in place of the injured Zach Rhoden, skipper Obi Nwanokwu, and winger Scott Borg... and they did so with admirable effect. Again, Walters put his foot on the ball and was neat and tidy, concentrating on hitting feet with his passes; Mataka picked up where he left off in the first half, becoming the central midfield creator to crown an excellent debut performance. Chris Richards fought hard for every ball but was unlucky not to be presented with any further goal scoring opportunities.
Even more unfortunately, Chris announced after the game that, due to domestic circumstances, it was his last game for Vale. So it's only appropriate to put it on record that Chris will be sorely missed by us all at Vale FC. He's been a fantastic servant of the club since his arrival this time last year, added great strength to the squad, superb endeavour to lead the line... and many very important goals. Many thanks Chris, and good luck for the future!
All in all this was a good performance and result for a "rusty" but keen return to competitive football for Vale... and great to see David Bonsu get on the score sheet!
The referee and Dynamo officials were very complimentary in their post-match remarks and comments, as were their supporters who commended Vale on their attitude, approach, ability and playing style. In deed, every Vale player deserved the plaudits offered at the end... proving themselves to be sporting and gracious in victor... well done lads!
Vale: McLeod; Rhoden; Bonsu (1); Legal-Miller; Bernard; Mataka; Haynes-Robertson; Walters; Borg; Nwanokwu (4); Richards
Subs: Sewell; de Weever; Otchere (1)
Goal Scoring Chart:
- Obi Nwanokwu - 25
- Chris Richards - 12
- Scott Borg - 10
- Jake Benard - 7
- Austin Otchere - 7
- Tevon Webster - 3
- Shaquile Fakolujo - 2
- Paul Sewell - 2
- Devante Walters - 1
- Kyle Haynes-Robertson - 1
- David Bonsu - 1
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