The Vale rued a missed opportunity as they ended 2013 with defeat at the hands of Withymoor North. Having beaten them 5-4 in a thrilling game at their place, the Vale fancied their chances of doing the double over the Stourbridge side. However, with a few players missing, and with Withymoor having brought in a couple of lads that didn't play in the first game, in the end Withymoor ran out 4-2 winners.
The Vale actually scored first as new boy Connor played a lovely ball over the top that Sam ran onto and placed past the keeper. Before the goal, and for a good 10 minutes after, the Vale dominated proceedings and probably should have scored a couple more with half chances not quite falling for the boys in red. Inevitably when you don't score the second, you invite the opposition to get back into it, and they did just that as they capitalised on a lack of pressure on the ball outside the box and scored the equaliser. The Vale wnet off the boil for the rest of the first half it has to be said, but managed to get to half time at 1-1.
With renewed vigour (kind of...it was cold and wet!) the boys took to the field for the second half. As is usual with the Vale, we conceeded the next goal and Withymoor looked to have taken control. But they conitnued to play a high line and the Vale got back into it as Sam scored his second goal of the game as the ball fell to him after an excellent ball in by Kie, and he rifled it into the net.
Sadly as the Vale started to look for a goal to take the lead, we conceeded, with a goal straight out of the Vale cock-up handbook! Withymoor got a corner, the player whipped it in, Colin called for the ball, Kie left it, it went straight into the net. Oops. With the Vale down to ten men, with Dan W having to go off with a knee injury, and with several players looking very knackered, it would be a long way back for the Vale. They tried gamely to get back into it, but Withymoor got a late 4th goal to seal their win as the three defenders at the back were overrun.
A frustrating day as this was definitely a missed opportunity for the reds, as this was a winnable game, but missing players and with only one sub they were always up against it....the lack of fitness throughout the squad showed a bit on our big pitch as we looked very leggy in the second half.
We also witnessed the worst miss...er ever...as Nick Wright managed to head over from 0 yards with an open goal in front of him.
Two weeks off now, and hopefully when it all restarts in January the Vale will be able to call on all its players to have a good run to the end of the season...hopefully even their usueless old manager might be able to get on the pitch and run about a bit!
Hard to pick a man of the match as I thought everyone did alright and no-one was spectacular...I've given it to old Ed as I thought he was the pick of the side in the first half.
