Thames Valley versus NPL Badgers

Last Saturday saw a tense game at Salesians school with third place Valley attempting to jump the league leaders to inflict the Badgers with their first league defeat this season. In previous meetings the two sides had equalled each other in goals and the battle commenced on Saturday in the same vain.

Valley dominated the first half with some excellent attacking with the only issue being finishing in front of goal. The Badgers keeper made some fine close range saves following a few goalmouth scrambles. Valley won a couple of short corners but could not convert. Laurens Noten took a nasty ball into his chin but was unable to use his usual attacking flair to score. Badgers looked dangerous on the break but man of the match Mike Baker and Ian Gadd saw to any defensive duties required to see the sides level at half time.

The second half saw much of the same with more excellent drives from midfielders Tom McClean and Joe Keech working well to try and feed the forwards. A couple of controversial umpiring decisions seem to cost both sides dear. When those calls were not given, it was clear it was not going to be Valley’s day. The game was summed up in the last seconds of play as Keech struck a short corner across the face of the goal, missing the far post by inches with a sliding Ben Sibthorpe unable to convert the goal.

Next week Valley face Old Mid Witgiftians away in the search of the elusive top spot. C’mon the Valley!