An overcast, windless Saturday saw Isthmian South East high fliers Beckenham Town visit Grand Drive for the first round of the Isuzu FA Trophy. Sitting in 2nd place in the tough South East Division, Beckenham promised a stern test for Manager Josh’s Vale squad who had been bounced from the FA Cup by Chertsey Town a week earlier.

A one-minute moment of silence was studiously observed in honour of long time Vale man Brian Biggs, who unfortunately passed away last week.

Manager Josh Gallagher started Billy Bishop in Goal, Archie Harland-Goddard, Cam Black and Aaron Moody in defence, with Dan Moody, James Dickson and Seanen McKillop in midfield. Upfront were Jordy Gallagher, Olly Sotoyinbo and newcomer George Vincent along with Dan Berry coming off a knock which had kept him out of meaningful action since pre-season. So a few changes in the side for the cup game.

Beckenham started brightly….but their problems were soon starting. On 3’ Harland-Goddard smacked a clearance-cum-pass across the park to Jordy Gallagher, whose jink combined with a slightly wet pitch put his defender on the seat of his shorts. Gallagher then smacked it into the top near corner and it was 1-0 to The Vale.

The Vale set about playing a high intensity pressure game, with the midfield of Dickson, McKillop and Moody leading the way and front men Berry and Sotoyinbo looking dangerous every time they got the ball.

And on 8’, it was 2-0. Cam Black sent a long ball, Dickson won seconds cleanly to Sotoyinbo who dropped it to McKillop and out to Gallagher on the left wing. He made an inside move and fired a low rocket from 16 yards into the far corner. Beckenham were on the ropes.

The Vale continued with the pressure and Beckenham was struggling to adapt. Then, on 20’ some excellent work down the right by the tenacious Berry allowed him to slip it to Sotoyinbo, who released Dickson down the channel. Dickson laid on a lovely return pass which Sotoyinbo thumped first time left footed into the top corner. 3-0.

Four minutes later, after more pressure, The Vale got a corner which Gallagher played short to McKillop. He threaded a return pass to Gallagher who chipped it neatly into the Beckenham net to put The Vale up 4-0 barely halfway through the first session. This was looking a lot easier than planned.

Beckenham finally troubled Bishop a couple of times before the end of the half, particularly on 44’ when winger Morgan-Griffiths cut in and let loose a venomous drive which Bishop did very well to tip over.

The second half was an entirely different affair. Beckenham had regained their composure in the dressing room and started stringing together a few passes. The Vale was still playing well and the first 12 minutes of the second half were an even, well played affair.

Then on 57’, Beckenham broke out after a Vale attack and for once beat the midfield pressure cleanly. Eventually their no 9 Theophanous crossed for a cleanly taken goal by Townsend. 4-1, but nothing to worry about.

Barely a minute later, another Vale attack broke down and another quick counter resulted in a man through on goal only for Bishop to come up with a great save. But the warning signs were starting to flash. Manager Gallagher replaced Sotoyinbo and Berry with newcomer defender Joe Bell (back from preseason injury) and the exciting young Jamal Sharpe.
On 64’, The Vale let a bit of sloppy midfield play and a missed tackle allow Theophanous to shoot across the goal into the corner. Now it was 4-2 and things were getting a bit nervy.

The Vale were now playing a bit deeper and looking to hit Beckenham on the counter, but had conceded the initiative and Beckenham looked a threat going forward despite the efforts of Black and Bell in defence.

On 75’ The Vale had a chance to ice the game, when good work by Vincent sprung Jordy Gallagher through, but his shot was well saved by Beckenham keeper Freeman.

Five minutes later Beckenham were within a goal when Theonopoulos latched onto a through ball and put a left footed finish beyond Bishop. Now The Vale was truly clinging on. Manager Gallagher brought on Dan Hector and Jermaine Green for fresh legs.

But Beckenham were unable to find another as the last minutes passed with The Vale defending pretty well and Beckenham reduced to long ball tactics.

So overall an excellent win even if things got more nervy than necessary. The next round of the Isuzu FA Trophy sees The Vale travel to Ramsgate on 21 Sept.