A Frosty Encounter

Valence travelled to Ashford for the late afternoon match apprehensive that Ashford would be able to field a strong team given their second team match had fallen victim to the weather.
The Ashford team was a mix of experience and youth. Valence was just experienced! The early exchanges were even, but it was Valence who soon gained control as Willson, though missing his colleague Wilcher in the centre of the pitch, made the midfield tick, ably supported by pitch captain Brett Angel and others.
Valence were passing, running and playing. Johnny Walker burst forward and struck firmly, with the Ashford keeper making an enthusiastic save. Shortly after, reacting quickly to a free hit, good passing from defence to the strikers produced a short corner. The ball came out well to Johnny Walker who this time found the backboard. 1 Nil.
Ashford countered and forced a short corner. Valence defenders stepped up with Turnill beating the strike and forcing a free hit to Valence, resulting in a quick counter attack from which Willson doubled the lead, with a tap in. 2 Nil. Ashford kept forcing the ball forward, with wise heads at the back, supplying enthusiastic youngsters upfront. However, the reliable Valence defence of Parker, Ife, Blanchard and Turnill were mopping up all that the home team were throwing at them.

Richard Turnill and Alex Hodges were linking exceptionally well on the right-hand side, with Ife occasionally joining in and forcing free hits to be taken quickly. It was this swift thinking by the ‘elder statesman’, Ife, that ultimately provided the ball to Willson, who in turn mishit the ball to Angel. On the turn, he shrugged off a defender and outwitted the keeper before passing the ball into the goal.
The home team had devised a second-half game plan, trying to play higher up the pitch and throwing caution to the wind. In reality they should have done this sooner, because they began to force more short corners, upsetting Valence’s rhythm and making them panic. For the first twenty-five minutes of the second half, Valence’s defence stood firm, then the relapse happened. Relentless pressure from the home team saw two quick goals. 2-3, with 5 minutes to go. Surely Valence were mature enough to see this out?
Willson and another forward both found themselves with the goal at their mercy and had opportunities to put the game beyond Ashford, but mercy they gave. Ashford pushed forward again, Valence intercepted and Ife passed square to Turnill. “Time is nearly up, smash it off the pitch to run down the clock” said the ‘side-line coach’ (Chris Back). Turnill followed instructions, but there was a goal on the side line in the way, so the ball didn’t find the far end of the pitch, and there was a little more time than the ‘coach’ thought remaining.
A massive ’thank you’ to Ashford for providing both umpires. Unfortunately, both left before they were able to be bought a drink, but the intention was there.

MOM: Johnny Walker (Scored, tackled back, put in a shift)