LATE LATE BELTER FOILS THE DERES

 

Match report by Dave Read on “The Wandering Tractor” website.

 

It was finally here, the start of my season-long project to rekindle my love of grassroots football and, as it turned out, what a great game I’d chosen to begin my journey!

 

The day started well enough until a train hitting an obstruction on the line caused a 25-minute delay at Clapham Junction. I finally reached the ground around 1.45pm and headed straight for the bar (old habits and all that!)  Apparently Raynes Park have a tie-in with brewers who work with AFC Wimbledon and so a pint of Crazy Gang Pale Ale was my chosen pre-match drink. I’d tweeted I was there and it wasn’t long before I was in a conversation with one of the Vale regulars. I also managed to grab a chat with the Vale chairman, a fascinating down to earth guy with a real passion for the club and a clear idea of the direction he wants to see the club to go.

 

Next was time for my customary wander around the pitch which I’ll have to say was in remarkable condition considering the extended hot spell we’re currently experiencing. On my wander I stopped and had a chat with a couple of interesting men who were Dons fans and pick random games to go and watch (where have I heard that before?) and this was their choice for the day. I also met another Wimbledon fan who lived ten minutes walk away from the Raynes Park ground but this was his first time at a match there. I think following the game it’s safe to say he’ll be back.

 

Next up food, outside the main entrance to the clubhouse you can find a burger van and inside the ground there was another outlet with very friendly people serving (the friendliness of everyone at the club was certainly a feature of the day). I went with the latter and wasn’t disappointed. I had a cheese and bacon burger which was lovely, a large tasty thick beefburger topped with a thick slice of bacon, cheese and all served in a brioche bun. Marvellous!

 

Anyway onto the game itself which, from the beginning was a feisty affair. You’d expect nothing else being a combination of the first game of the season and a FA Cup game! The first real chance went to the visitors, good work on the left and a decent cross by George Monger which Tunde Aderonmu headed inches wide. Erith were having the better of the early exchanges and on 16 minutes had another chance from a corner when Ryan Johnson got free in the 6 yard box but just failed to connect. Vale came into the game a minute later when they launched a swift attack which saw Erith’s Malachi Hudson yellow carded for pulling down the Vale forward. The resulting free kick saw Adam Molloy save smartly from Jordan Gallagher.

 

On 28 minutes, a great run from Jerome Wade ended with a rash challenge from Nathan Lewis which saw him receive his second yellow card and his marching orders. Ben Wilson’s free kick was turned away well low at the far post by Billy Bishop. Erith, now with the numerical advantage, took the lead on 40 minutes when a mistake in the Vale midfield led to a 3 v 3 break which was coolly curled home by Aderonmu for his first goal for the Deres. Erith thought they’d doubled their lead just before half time when Johnson stabbed the ball home following a goalmouth scramble only for it to be disallowed, I think for a handball. H-T: Raynes Park Vale 0 Erith & Belvedere 1.

 

Despite being a player and a goal down, Vale started the second half very much on the front foot. Molloy made a good save from the impressive Ethan Archer, quickly followed by another quick through ball which Rees Williams-Bowers just failed to get on the end of. On 65 Erith were carved open again and were saved by a brilliant last ditch interception by Jack Miles.

 

Vale were now pushing hard for the leveller and it so nearly came when Archie Harland-Goddard went on a mazy run before playing it out wide. The low cross just evaded Obisanya and Sweeney then blasted the ball wide. At this point you’d never have known Raynes Park were down to ten as they continued to push for an equaliser. A speculative shot from Dan Moody was well tipped over by Molloy as Vale piled on the pressure and the resulting corner hacked away.

 

Erith almost snatched a second on a quick breakaway when a cracking move was so nearly finished by Rory Ward, his curling shot crashing against the bar before bouncing to safety. Vale had another chance when Gallagher stole through and found himself one-on-one with the keeper but put it just wide. Another chance went begging in injury time as another scramble saw the ball hit the Deres post and rebound to safety. It looked like it was just not going to be Vale’s day, that was until the 94th minute when they finally got the reward their never say die attitude deserved.

 

A cross was swung in from the right, a quick succession of headers cleared the ball only to fall to Moody 20+ yards out. He controlled it well with his right foot, made space for himself with a deft touch and then sent an unstoppable shot off the underside of the bar into the top right-hand corner. An absolute worldie which sent the Vale players and fans into delirium. A finish from the top drawer and I’m already wondering if I’ll see a better one in the next 9 months of football! Full time came soon after and a hugely enjoyable game ended Raynes Park Vale 1 Erith & Belvedere 1.

 

An excellent game of football between two very good teams. Raynes Park never gave up despite being a man down for an hour, showing real grit and determination receiving the reward they deserved right at the death. Erith & Belvedere, for their part, will be disappointed they couldn’t press home the numerical advantage in the second half but live to fight another day with a home replay to follow. Good luck for the season to both teams.

 

Have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the visit to Raynes Park and would like to thank everyone I met for their welcome, hospitality and friendliness. This is a great little club with a good team on and off the pitch and plans to push on in the future. They are definitely a club on an upward trajectory and, if you’re an AFC Wimbledon fan or live reasonably close by, get down there if you get a chance. Hopefully I’ll get the chance to visit again this season to see how they’re getting on or at the very least, catch them in an away game in the Combined Counties.

 

RAYNES PARK: Billy Bishop, Archie Harland-Goddard, Calum Hope, Jordan Stepney, Nathan Lewis, Calum McAllister, Dan Moody, Ethan Archer, Aaron Watson, Jordan Gallagher, Reece Williams-Bowers.

Subs: Hannigan, Obisanya, Josh Gallagher, Dyson, James Smith.

 

DERES: Adam Molloy; Reion McFarlane, Ben Wilson (Reece Barrett ht), Ryan Huckle, Jack Miles, Ryan Johnson, Jerome Wade (Rory Ward 77), George Monger, Tunde Aderonmu, Malachi Hudson (Nathan Palmer 58), Tyrell Richardson-Brown.  Subs not used: Jedd Smith, Henry Arnold, James Hawkins, Toby Waller.