League RPV vs Banstead Athletic

3-0 loss sees the Vale drop to 10th

RPV 0 - 3 Banstead Athletic

Date: 13th Oct 2020

Attendance: 68

RPV Starting Line Up

1. James Smith

2. Boe Fowler

3. Nathan Lewis

4. James Curran

5. Marcus Dowdeswell

6. Danny Alderton (c)

7. Darren Thomas

8. Callum Hope

9. Faiz Yussuf

10. Tom Harland-Goddard

11. Sam Jordan

Subs Used:

Jack Williamson

Archie Harland-Goddard

Bertrand Marti-Pique

Raynes Park Vale went into Tuesday nights fixture looking to build on their 1-0 win over Redhill on Saturday ensuring their progression to the F.A Vase first round. Both teams were met with dismal weather as consistent rain throughout the day left a slick surface at Grand Drive.

First Half

Raynes Park Vale made just the one change from their previous outing, with Danny Alderton replacing Henri Mkinsi. Reverting back to their red home kit, Raynes Park Vale started quickly with a series of attacks coming down both flanks with Sam Jordan testing Banstead's right-back. The home support thought that the pressure had paid off as a whipped cross found Marcus Dowdeswell who got in front of his man to power a header into the bottom left-hand corner. However, the referee interrupted the celebrations through blowing his whistle dubiously judging that Marcus had fouled the opposition centre back, which to most looked like a fortunate slip that had got him out of jail.

This promising start was soon forgotten as Banstead started to effectively counter-attack through clipping balls into the channels for their wingers to attack the vale's final third. After 15 mins, RPV cleared a corner only for the ball to land at the feet of the Banstead midfield who played a ball into the box. As the Banstead striker progressed into the box the referee spotted a clip on his heels from Boe Fowler and despite the striker remaining standing and in control of the ball awarded a penalty. The penalty was cooly dispatched by Kailan North.

The first half continued to be end to end with opportunities for both sides. Midway through the first half, club captain Danny Alderton pulled up with an injury to his knee and was replaced by Bertrand Marti-Pique. The injury resulted in the Vale losing height in front of the defence against a direct Banstead team but gaining a ball playing midfielder to unlock the deficit.

However, In the 35th minute, Banstead won a free kick on the left-wing. An inswinging cross wasn't dealt with by RPV with the ball bouncing on the 6-yard line before being tapped home by Banstead's central defender. Two-nil down at half-time provided RPV with a mountain to climb despite having the advantage of attacking down the slope in the second half.

Second half

Vale started the second half the brighter of the two setting up camp in the opposition half. The main threat came from both flanks as Darren Thomas and Sam Jordan beat their opposition full-back on numerous occasions providing crosses into the box which were not converted.

On the 60th minute the Vale management changed to a 3-4-3 formation replacing defenders James Curran and Boe Fowler with a midfielder in Archie Harland-Goddard and a striker in Jack Williamson. Archie's direct running style posed problems for the Banstead defence who struggled to contain his runs into the box. However, the Vale were still missing a goal.

In the 75th minute, Banstead made it 3-0. With the vale defence thinking the ball had gone out for a throw-in, Banstead continued to attack before cutting inside and releasing Aidan Holland who drilled the ball into the top corner from less than 6 yards out.

A miserable night for the Vale continued as a penalty was won with 10 minutes remaining. Up stepped Jack Williamson who struck to the goalkeepers right who made an impressive save to hold on to Banstead's clean sheet.

As the final whistle blew it took Banstead ahead of Raynes Park Vale on goal difference as the Vale drop to 10th. Our attention now turns to Knaphill away on Saturday 17th October looking to recover from Tuesday nights loss.