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Sat 28 Oct 2017
Folkestone Optimists 3
Sutton Valence 1
3
5
Seaside Sensation
Andrew Wishart1 Nov 2017 - 08:46
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Don't panic!
As expected Folkestone came out of the blocks like CJ Ujah. They quickly found the Steve Parker shaped hole in defence and got a couple of shots on target, Captain Stuart Young pulling off two outstanding saves. On the attack, Louis Robinson was proving a tricky customer on the right wing, with Johnny Walker, Chris Stille and Ryan Robinson pressurising the defence. Eventually Louis forced a short corner. Rob Ife stepped forward to undertake his vital short corner roll. Stopping the ball. Well done Ifey, you stopped it. Robinson R struck firmly onto the backboard. 1 nil.
Folkestone kept pressing and creating opportunities, but the Valence defence was absorbing the pressure. Valence were beginning to find plenty of holes in the mid-field, with a number of passes being threaded direct from defence to the trio up front. Valence were on top and for once, actually made their superiority pay, looking dangerous on the break and from set pieces, Ryan Robinson added another three goals. 4 nil up and sitting pretty. Before half time Valence allowed themselves the usual melt down; luckily they just about held it together, but there were a few hairy moments.
The half time team talk was simple, ‘more of the same chaps’ (without the melt down). We knew that Folkestone would pose more of a threat in the second half, as whereas they had started with two substitutes, by the time half time came they had a full bench, and they were keen to try and pull back the deficit. Enter Ethan, the number 3, a lively customer, with a few tricks to compliment his nimble movement. On the ball, about 3 inches from the base line at the edge of the D, reverse stick strike, Stewie has got it, right? Wrong. 1-4. The message went round to keep calm. However, Folkestone upped the pressure and Valence wobbled. Ethan went for the same routine, hitting the base line, reverse stick strike, pass. Russell called it. He has got it, right? Wrong. Russ slotted it home - own goal. 2-4.
OK don’t panic was the general message. Rob Ife had a slightly different message. Panic (a lot), and have a strop. “We need to man mark him wherever he goes on the pitch”. Folkestone were attacking the Valence D again. Ethan picked Ife’s pocket and passed the ball off for a tap in. 3-4. Ifey was a bit quieter after. Right, let’s try again; keep calm. There are some pretty sensible souls in the Valence team, watching the clock and slowing the play down to take the sting out of the game.
A relatively quiet game for former Captain Fantastic, Andy Lee. At least until the 65th minute when the Umpire told him to stop appealing; in the 67th minute he sought praise from the same Umpire for not appealing; in the 69th minute he found himself the most advanced SV player, with the ball, in can what only be described as acres of space, with only the Folkestone Keeper for company. He leant back, closed his eyes and struck.
Time stood still, until the sound of the ball crashing against the backboard broke the silence. 3-5.
A well-deserved and hard-fought victory for the team in red!
Folkestone kept pressing and creating opportunities, but the Valence defence was absorbing the pressure. Valence were beginning to find plenty of holes in the mid-field, with a number of passes being threaded direct from defence to the trio up front. Valence were on top and for once, actually made their superiority pay, looking dangerous on the break and from set pieces, Ryan Robinson added another three goals. 4 nil up and sitting pretty. Before half time Valence allowed themselves the usual melt down; luckily they just about held it together, but there were a few hairy moments.
The half time team talk was simple, ‘more of the same chaps’ (without the melt down). We knew that Folkestone would pose more of a threat in the second half, as whereas they had started with two substitutes, by the time half time came they had a full bench, and they were keen to try and pull back the deficit. Enter Ethan, the number 3, a lively customer, with a few tricks to compliment his nimble movement. On the ball, about 3 inches from the base line at the edge of the D, reverse stick strike, Stewie has got it, right? Wrong. 1-4. The message went round to keep calm. However, Folkestone upped the pressure and Valence wobbled. Ethan went for the same routine, hitting the base line, reverse stick strike, pass. Russell called it. He has got it, right? Wrong. Russ slotted it home - own goal. 2-4.
OK don’t panic was the general message. Rob Ife had a slightly different message. Panic (a lot), and have a strop. “We need to man mark him wherever he goes on the pitch”. Folkestone were attacking the Valence D again. Ethan picked Ife’s pocket and passed the ball off for a tap in. 3-4. Ifey was a bit quieter after. Right, let’s try again; keep calm. There are some pretty sensible souls in the Valence team, watching the clock and slowing the play down to take the sting out of the game.
A relatively quiet game for former Captain Fantastic, Andy Lee. At least until the 65th minute when the Umpire told him to stop appealing; in the 67th minute he sought praise from the same Umpire for not appealing; in the 69th minute he found himself the most advanced SV player, with the ball, in can what only be described as acres of space, with only the Folkestone Keeper for company. He leant back, closed his eyes and struck.
Time stood still, until the sound of the ball crashing against the backboard broke the silence. 3-5.
A well-deserved and hard-fought victory for the team in red!
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