Hinchley Wood 0 - Raynes Park Vale Youth 2
Sunday 27th Oct KO 02.00pm
West Surrey Youth League - U18 Premier Division
In hurricane force conditions Vale chose to defend against the strong wind in the first half. However, it was Vale who first threatened when the Hinchley Wood keeper turned Dean Brackstones low shot around the post. From the ensuing corner Joe Hill played it short to Rob Hill whos shot only just cleared the crossbar.
In such atrocious conditions it was obvious that Vale would soon be under pressure and on 5 minutes Vale keeper Elliot Hind saved smartly with his legs to thwart the Hinchley Wood number 11. On 13 minutes Elliot was again called into action saving comfortably from the number 10.
The Vale defense was under a lot of pressure but centre-backs John Mooney, Rob Hill, and Richard Bayley defended strongly throughout. On 22 minutes the Hinchley Wood number 8 tried a speculative long-range effort, which with the assistance of the force 10 gale, easily cleared the Vale crossbar.
Hinchley Wood was now on the ascendancy but most of their efforts on goal were from long-range and luckily for Vale, off target as well.
In the 30th minute Vale broke away and a smart interchange of passes between Joe and Rob Hill created a chance, which Rob smacked against the crossbar. From the rebound Matt Walsh fired his shot just over. It was soon back to defensive duties for Vale as Hinchley Wood again pressed forward but the hard working midfield trio of Brackstone, Wells and Martins meant that Hinchley Woods best efforts where from long range. Vale wingbacks Michael Bayley and Gary Allen spent most of their time defending and rarely had the chance to go forward as Vale were happy to play out a goal less first half.
0-0 Half-time
With the strong wind now behind them Vale were soon on the attack. In the 3rd minute Joe Hill fed the ball to Matt Walsh but his shot went straight into the keepers hands. In the 7th minute Matt Walsh was again through on goal, his lob over the keeper being cleared off the line for a corner. On 12 minutes Hinchley Wood mounted a rare attack and Vale keeper Hind did well to turn a cross come shot onto the crossbar. The ball fell into the path of an oncoming attacker who looked certain to score but a great block from Richard Bayley deflected the ball for a corner.
On 15 minutes Vale brought on forward John Gardener to replace midfielder Gary Wells. In the space of two minutes Vale had two good chances to score. First the keeper held a header from Joe Hill and then a minute later the keeper did well to turn a powerful Joe Hill drive over the bar.
Hinchley Wood mounted sporadic attacks and only smart defending from Gary Allen prevented a scoring chance on 20 minutes.
Vale wingback Michael Bayley saw a great curling effort drift just wide and a minute later Filipe Martins saw his shot narrowly miss the Hinchley Wood goal.
In the 31st minute Vale brought on Ben Clynshaw for Matt Walsh up front and his strong running and closing down had the Hinchley Wood defense under pressure. On 33 minutes John Gardener did well to win a corner and from Rob Hills deep cross, brother Joe was left unmarked at the far post to power in his header. Four minutes later it was 2-0 to Vale when Ben Clynshaw fed John Gardener who outpaced his marker to place his firm shot high into the Hinchley Wood net.
More chances soon followed. Ben Clynshaw fired over and then substitute Frank Okandju latched onto a smart through ball from Filipe Martins but his shot was deflected wide.
0-2 Full time
MoM - Gary Allen - Tireless performance at right wingback. Defended superbly throughout whilst also creating good attacking opportunities going forward.
Raynes Park Vale Youth 0 - Wandgas 1
Sunday 13th Oct KO 10.30pm
West Surrey Youth League - U18 Premier Division
Vale made the stronger start to this game and produced the first attempt on goal after 7 minutes. John Gardener made good progress down the right flank and did well to get his cross over. Midfielder Anthony Nyman arrived at the far post but saw his first time effort go wide of goal.
On 18 minutes Matt Walsh was fouled on the edge of the Wandgas area but Rob Hills low free kick was easily collected by the their keeper.
Two bookings soon followed. Firstly, a Wandgas player was cautioned for a late tackle on Gary Wells, soon followed by a yellow card for Vale full back John Watkins for an innocuous challenge on the Wandgas winger. A case of the referee trying to even things out!
On 22 minutes Matt Walsh was put through on goal only to be clearly held back by a Wandgas defender. The referee missed the incident altogether. Matt did manage to get a shot in despite the defender wanting to swap shirts early but the keeper easily saved it.
Despite showing some neat passing around midfield Wandgas where unable to make much of an impression against the well organized Vale defense. It wasnt until the 34th minute that Wandgas really threatened the Vale goal when their number 3 fired his shot over the bar. Just prior to half time Vale mounted more attacks with shots from Matt Walsh and Jeriah Simpson but neither could find the target.
0-0 Half-time
Vale brought on Dean Brackstone for the Matt Walsh up front. Within seconds of the restart Wandgas were ahead. A passing move created space on the edge of the Vale penalty area and a low shot from the Wandgas number 3 found the corner of the net. The Vale players seemed to still be on their half-time break as Wandgas created another chance, which needed a brave save from keeper Elliot Hind at the feet of the oncoming forward.
Vale then launched 3 attacks in quick succession. John Gardener saw his shot saved by the Wandgas keeper, then Johns cross was plucked from the air as Dean Brackstone waited to pounce, and finally good work from Anthony Nyman and Dean Brackstone on the left created a shooting chance for Joe Hill but his attempt was off target.
With Vale in search of the equalizer, Wandgas started to create more chances and only a fine fingertip save from Elliot Hind prevented them from going further ahead.
Vale brought on substitutes Filipe Martins and Michael Bayley replacing Simpson and Nyman.
Wandgas created more chances and should have put the game beyond doubt 2 minutes from time when the number 12 headed wide from only yards out.
A disappointing defeat for Vale in a game that they probably didnt deserve to lose but didnt deserve to win either.
0-1 Full time
MoM - Anthony Nyman - good passing and movement, worked extremely hard on the left of midfield.
Staines Town 1 - Raynes Park Vale Youth 4
Sunday 6th Oct KO 11.00pm
West Surrey Youth League - U18 Premier Division
Vale got off to a bad start when centre back Paul Mulry pulled up injured in the opening minute of the game. His injury let in the Staines Town centre forward whose shot was collected easily by Vale keeper Elliot Hind. Forward John Gardener came on as substitute as Vale had to reshuffle their team.
Vale took the lead in the 7th minute when midfielder Anthony Nyman was fouled on the left touchline. Joe Hills long free kick had the Staines goalkeeper under pressure who fumbled the cross to leave forward Matt Walsh with an easy tap-in.
Vale went further ahead in the 17th minute with a goal of superb quality. Keeper Hind rolled the ball to Rob Hill on the edge of his own area who fed Michael Bayley in the left back position. His pass infield was collected by Gary Wells on the half-way line, who cleverly flicked the ball over his marker. Garys pass then found Matt Walsh with his back to goal on the edge of the Staines Town penalty area. Matt deceived his marking defender, turned and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. A goal that saw the ball move from one end to the pitch to the other in a matter of seconds without a Staines Town player getting anywhere near it!
Vale nearly went further ahead when a long-range effort from Gary Wells was tipped away by the Staines Town goalkeeper.
It was 3-0 to Vale in the 23rd minute. A long ball out of defense from Rob Hill caught the Staines Town defenders flatfooted. Matt Walsh raced through and casually lobbed the ball over the advancing goalkeeper. A hat trick for Matt Walsh!
On the stroke of half time Vale went 4-0 up when John Gardener latched on to a through ball to outpace the Staines Town defense. As the goalkeeper advanced John calmly slid the ball low into the corner of the net.
A superb half for Vale that saw them at their very best with passing and movement that completely mesmerized the Staines Town players.
0-4 Half-time
The second half saw a completely different approach from Staines Town whose half-time team talk could be heard in most parts of West London! Vale were forced to substitute Matt Walsh due to injury with Ben Clynshaw replacing him up front. It was a much more evenly contested game and Staines pulled a goal back after 58 minutes when the Vale goalkeeper was penalized for handling the ball outside of his area. The resulting free kick was cleverly worked to the far post where an unmarked attacker easily scored.
The game was much more physical now with a few heavy tackles taking place. Staines Town had a player cautioned when a crude tackle on Jeriah Simpson left him writhing on the ground.
Despite their deficit, Staines put together some promising moves but most of the attacks were easily handled by the Vale defense. Towards the end of the game both teams had a chance to score. Firstly, Staines had a deflected shot, which the Vale keeper Elliot Hind did well to stop with his legs. Then, in the dying seconds John Gardener raced clear for Vale, only to be stopped by a superb covering tackle, as he was about to shoot for goal.
1-4 Full time
MoM - Matt Walsh - a hat trick in the first 23 minutes. Luckily for Staines Town he got injured and had to be substituted!
Raynes Park Vale Youth 0 - Ashford Town 1
Sunday 22nd Sept KO 10.30pm
West Surrey Youth League - U18 Premier Division
Vales first home game of the season saw them play hosts to Ashford Town who won the Surrey Cup for their age group last season. Ashford started confidently and were soon on the attack. A swinging low cross from the right was collected low down by Vale goalkeeper Elliot Hind who was crudely challenged by the onrushing Ashford centre forward who appeared to challenge with his foot high. Contact was made and Elliot sustained a painful blow to his ribs, which required extensive treatment before he could continue. The referee deemed the collision an accident and chose not to caution the Ashford Town player.
Vale settled down and started to mount some threatening attacks. Matt Walsh went close following good play from Gary Wells and John Gardener but after rounding the goalkeeper Matt found the angle too tight to get his shot on target.
The Vale defense snuffed out most of Ashford Town attacks with centre backs John Mooney, Richard Bayley, and Rob Hill easily dominating the Ashford forwards. Most of Ashfords attempts on goal were from long range, which rarely troubled the injured Vale keeper.
Vale again went close when Matt Walsh outpaced the Ashford defense but the Ashford goalkeeper easily collected his low shot.
Just prior to half time Ashford seemed to gain the ascendancy. A free kick from the left hand side saw a firm header produce a fine fingertip save from Elliot Hind who managed to turn the ball onto the post.
0-0 Half-time
The second half was evenly contested with both teams being limited to long-range efforts, which did not trouble either goalkeeper. The talking point of the game came 20 minutes into the second half. A long through ball from Vale was completely misjudged by the Ashford goalkeeper. As he advanced to the edge of the area to collect the ball over the heads of John Gardener and the challenging defender, he completely misread the flight of the ball, which passed about 4 feet over his head, and ended up in the goal. The referee somehow deemed that he had been fouled despite there being no contact on the keeper and absolutely no chance of him getting the ball!
It was a poor decision that was to cost Vale dearly and even seemed to surprise the Ashford Town players and supporters
That gift seemed to spur Ashford Town who broke the deadlock 10 minutes later. Vale failed to clear and a shot from 22 yards spun wickedly into the top right hand corner of the goal, leaving keeper Elliot Hind with no chance.
Vale put on substitutes Jeriah Simpson, Michael Bayley, and Ben Clynshaw in an attempt to get the equalizer. The game was now very open with Ashford looking dangerous on the counter attack, but neither team was able to create any clear-cut chances and Ashford hung on for a narrow victory.
0-1 Full time
MoM - Rob Hill. Faultless performance at the back for Vale.
Horsley FC 4 - Raynes Park Vale Youth 4
Sunday 15th Sept KO 3.00pm
West Surrey Youth League - U18 Premier Division
The opening game of the season saw a seesaw battle with the lead changing hands on a number of occasions. Horsley started confidently but is was Vale who took the lead after 9 minutes when they won a corner after a break down the left hand side. John Gardener swung in the corner and wing back Gary Allen was at the far post to out jump his marker and place a firm header into the net. 0-1. Vale increased their lead 10 minutes later when Horsley failed to clear from another corner and Dean Brackstone was on hand to pounce and place a firm shot into the roof of the net from close range. 0-2.
Horsley were back into the game a few minutes later when they scored with a low powerful drive following good passing down the left hand side. The Vale keeper seemed to have the shot covered but a wicked bounce off of the uneven surface left him with no chance of making a save. 1-2.
Horsley now took the initiative and had Vale on the back foot. They deservedly got thier equalizer with a fine header following more good work down their left flank.
2-2 Half-time
Vale started the stronger in the second half and should have taken the lead when the Horsley keeper appeared to drop a cross over his own goal line. The Vale players appealed for the goal but the referee deemed that the ball did not cross the line. The game was now quite open and it was Horsley who took the lead when a cross from the right was tapped in from close range. 3-2.
Horsley went further ahead when another cross from the right was turned into his own net by Vale wing back Michael Bayley. 4-2.
Vale sent on striker Matt Walsh who was immediately in the action with some fine running up front. Vale was unlucky not to score when a powerful shot from Jeriah Simpson hit the angle of post and bar.
Vale pulled a goal back when a long clearance from Elliot Hind bounced on the edge of the Horsley penalty area. Matt Walsh bravely challenged a defender and the on rushing goalkeeper and managed to loop his header into the net. 4-3.
Matt Walsh was at the heart of every Vale attack and they were awarded a penalty when he was brought down on the edge of the penalty area. Matt got up to take the penalty himself and coolly placed the spot kick to the keepers right hand side to level the match.
4-4 Full time
MoM - Supersub Matt Walsh. His energy and direct approach and not to mention his two goals rescued a point for Raynes Park Vale.
Croydon Athletic 2 - Raynes Park Vale Youth 5
Thursday 29th August KO 6.45pm
A good crowd turned out to watch this pre-season friendly played at the Croydon MO ground. The first period was quite a physical but evenly contested affair with limited goal scoring opportunities at either end. A powerful long-range effort troubled the Vales stand-in keeper Michael Bayley, who did well to get his body behind the shot. The ball rebounded towards an oncoming attacker but Michael recovered quickly to dive and reclaim the ball.
At the other end Gary Wells found himself with a one on one with the Croydon keeper who did well to smother Garys shot. Moments later the ball found its way to the unmarked Jeriah Simpson at the far post but he blazed his shot over the bar.
0-0 Half-time
The youth team made 7 changes during the break including the introduction of goalkeeper Elliot Hind who has been out for 10 months following a broken leg. The game was now more open and Croydon took the lead following a quick break from defense, which was finished well with a powerful low shot. Croydon were now on the offensive and Vale keeper Elliot Hind was called upon to make a fine save, diving to his left to thwart another powerful effort. Croydons lead didnt last long though. Vale centre-back John Mooney intercepted a through ball and advanced forward into the Croydon half. His shot appeared to be going wide when Aaron Legget raced onto the ball and hit an unstoppable rising shot into the Croydon net. Croydon then regained the lead when an attack down the left flank was pulled back to find an unmarked striker who easily converted the chance with a low drilled shot. Soon afterwards the Vale were back on level terms after good work by Frank Okandju in midfield resulted in a pass to John Gardener who outpaced his marker to fire a low shot to the right of the advancing keeper.
With both teams having a large squad of players available many substitutions ensued. Vale took the lead for the first time in the game when Jeriah Simpson, now playing in a more advanced role, left the Croydon defense for dead and calmly lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper.
Number four followed minutes later when Matt Walsh scored with a well-placed shot. Croydon who always looked menacing at set pieces were unlucky not to score from a corner. The Vale goalkeeper parried a powerful header but the ball was still goal-bound until Vale defender John Watkins cleared from under the crossbar.
Vale put the game beyond reach 5 minutes from time, when Joe Hill, now playing on the right hand side of midfield, was left with time and space to pick his spot with a well-placed right foot shot.
2-5 Final Score
Raynes Park Vale Youth 2 vs Raynes Park Vale 2nd XI 2
Thursday 8th August KO 7.00pm
Despite both teams coming from the same club, this pre-season friendly was played in a very competitive manner. Both teams were fielding new signings who were obviously eager to impress their respective management. The 2nd XI started confidently with some smart passing and lots of possession but it was the youth team that created the first chance when Joe Hill fired his shot wide. The youth team defense looked well organized and comfortable under pressure and limited the second XI to a couple of long-range efforts. The youth team took the lead when John Gardener latched onto a defensive mistake to calmly place the ball wide of the goalkeeper. The second XI equalized from a corner kick when poor marking left an attacker with a free header to score. The youth team regained the lead when Joe Hill fed John Gardener who outpaced his marker and scored with a fierce shot that the goalkeeper could only parry into his own net. It should have been 3-1 to the youth when John Gardener again raced free but his lob over the advancing goalkeeper was too strong and it easily cleared the crossbar.
2-1 after first period
The youth team made 5 changes during the break. Centre back Richard Bayley who suffered a hamstring strain was replaced by debutant John Mooney who was soon in the thick of the action as the second XI applied early pressure. The youth looked dangerous on the break and were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area when full back Gary Allen was up ended. The resulting free kick saw Rob Hills low drive superbly tipped away by the second XI keeper. Soon afterwards the youth had an indirect free kick in the penalty area when the second XI keeper picked up a back pass. Gary Wells fierce shot cannoned into the wall and the second XI broke dangerously only to be thwarted by fine defending from John Watkins. The youth team looked vulnerable at set pieces and the second XI were unlucky not to score when a corner was headed onto the cross bar.
2-1 after second period
The second XI started to dominate the game and restricted the youth team to a few long-range efforts early on. The youth team could have gone further ahead when Frank Okandju broke from midfield but failed to control the ball inside the penalty area. Pressure from the second XI was rewarded a few minutes from time when an attack down the right flank saw a fine low cross, which was slid home by the centre forward. As tiredness crept in the youth gave away some needless free kicks but the youth team battled on to earn an honorable draw.
2-2 Final Score
Raynes Park Vale Youth 2 vs Sutton United Youth 2
Wednesday 31st July KO 7.00pm
This pre-season friendly provided the opportunity for both teams to try out new players in a game that was played in three 30 minutes sessions. With thier regular goalkeeper still sidelined by injury, Micheal Bayley took over in goal for RPV but was rarely troubled in the first period. The game was evenly contested but it was RPV who broke the deadlock when Marc Skinner moving in from the right hit an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.
1-0 after first period
The second period saw numerous changes for both teams but Sutton Utd took advantage of the sloping pitch and kept RPV under pressure, which was rewarded with a superbly taken goal. The Sutton Utd centre forward coolly lobbed the advancing goalkeeper after cleverly controlling a long diagonal ball over the RPV central defence.
1-1 after second period
More changes for both teams but RPV took the early initiative and soon had Sutton under pressure. A neat move down the right hand side saw Jeriah Simpson pull the ball back for Ben Clynshaw to drive a low shot into the corner of the goal. Sutton fought back immediately and were soon back on level terms following another well-taken goal. Towards the end it was Sutton who looked the stronger and should have sewn the game up when a chance from 6 yards was blazed over the bar.
2-2 Final Score
