Valley a menace to themselves

With a looming player shortage, Valley were able to call upon the Royal Holloway contacts to drum up some ectra players to make up for the missing regulars.

Coupled with the unfamiliar players, a number of players were out of posiition and Valley lacked the rhythm they had been developing over the previous weeks.

Walton on the other hand looked assured and were passing the ball around with ease as Valley were slow to adjust to the new formation. The loss of Boastie as a driving force from the midfield coupled with the introdution of Keir and James helped to give Walton the upper hand.

Valley were defending deep and Boastie was getting frustrated in his new position as sweeper. After a period of sustained pressure Walton opened the scoring. The goal itself was a bit fortunate as the ball was fired at goal, it looped up and left Derek stranded.

Valley somehow got themselves back into the game and forced a short cornerNot for the first time this season JC pressed the Walton defence at a 16 and intercepted the ball. Driving into the D, the keeper was dispatched the wrong way and the score was levelled at 1-1. That was the only contribution from JC on a quiet afternoon.

That was it in terms of Valley attacking until half-time, as the Walton pressed on ins earch of a second goal. Only resolute (lucky) defence kept the score level.

Valley were still lacking the fluidity from previous games and didn't look like scoring. Walton eventually got the winning goal when one of there players waltzed through the defence and shot past Derek. This was too much for Boastie who with the biggest of pram - toys - throw manoeuvres, left the field in disgust and nearly drove hos stick into the side of the astro.

Valley vainly attempted to get back into the match, but were unable to create a worthwhile chance as Walton [ressed in for the kill. The valley defence held firm, but questions around the team positions were begionning to surface.

[Ed: Thanks to JC for the match report ]