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
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