Page 40 - Raynes Park Vale v Welling Town (FA Vase) 25.09.21

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MATCH REPORT 25mins GOAL 1-1. Just as RPV were both teams struggled to find much flu-

TCH
REPORT
looking to settle and consolidate their idity in their play for the next 10 or so.
KNAPHILL 2 lead, the home side were level. A cor- Both sides showed that they were willing
ner from the far right-hand-side was and able to play on the nice surface but
RAYNES PARK VALE 2 half-cleared and dropped to Horkan the cutting edge in the final third was
just inside the box who bobbled the ball
through the crowd and into the back of
CCL • Saturday 18th of September 2021 • Redding Way, Knaphill the net.
Tempo slowed towards half-time
The home side looked dangerous on the break The heat then seemed to play a part in

Looking to bounce back from a re- the game and the tempo slowed towards
cent dip in form, The Vale travelled to half-time and neither team managed to
Knaphill for both teams’ 8th fixture in find their rhythm. HT 1-1.
the 2021/22 Combined Counties Pre- Leaving Harris with no chance
mier Division South season. Knaphill 47mins GOAL 2-1 RPV! The Vale came
had registered four draws already in this flying out of the traps in the second half
campaign so The Vale knew that they and a lovely move down the left involv-
would be up against a strong, hard-to- ing Gallagher, Cockle and Bellikli gave
beat side. The RPV defence was on espe- Josh Ano the ball 12-yards out, unop-
cially high-alert as former RPV goal-ma- posed in the Knappers box. Ano rifled
chine Jack Williamson and flying-winger the ball into the roof of the goal leaving Photo: Dom Tait
Darren Thomas had made the switch to Harris with no chance. Surely The Vale lacking. As the game entered the final
the Knappers in the summer. would keep it safe for 5/10mins and look 20mins, the home-side retreated and the
The sun was beating down to build on their second lead of the game! slow restarts suggested that they were
The pitch was in great condition as per Allowed the Knappers to pounce content with a point. The Vale found a
usual at Redding Way and the sun was 49mins GOAL 2-2. Comfortable in pos- second wind and it was really only one-
beating down ahead of the 3pm KO. Vale session, The Vale were moving the ball way traffic from there on in. A combi-
started brightly and dominated early Photo: Dom Tait around the back and through mid-field nation of brilliant keeping from Harris
possession, using the wide pitch at Red- The penalty came following a trademark when a poor touch from Downey just in- in the Knappers goal and wasteful play
ding Way to their advantage. The home surging run from Louie Downey into the side the Vale half allowed the Knappers from the RPV attack meant that no
side looked dangerous on the break, es- Knaphill box where he was eventually to pounce. The Knappers centre-mid more goals would be seen on the day.
pecially down their left, and Vale had a bundled over and the referee obliging- stole the ball and slotted an inch-perfect FT 2-2.
close scare early on as the Knaphill left- ly pointed to the spot. RPV’s top scorer pass through to the striker who couldn’t Produced good quality
back broke past the Vale defence and Jordan Gallagher stepped up, sent Har- believe his luck. Livingstone was imme- Credit must be shown to Knaphill who
fired just wide of Billy Bishop’s left-hand ris the wrong way and put RPV ahead. diately through on goal and calmly slot- showed great togetherness and produced
post. Straight after the goal The Vale had two ted home past Bishop for the equaliser. good quality when needed, however it
Top scorer Jordan Gallagher glorious chances to extend their lead but Not one that Vale will want to see again. will surely feel like two points dropped
20mins GOAL 1-0 RPV! The first goal failed at both attempts and lived to regret The Vale found a second wind for The Vale who had lots of chances to
of the game came from the penalty spot. it almost immediately. The equaliser knocked Vale back and get back to winning ways.