LA Vale: 2 - LA Union: 1
With the fall weather in Griffith Park providing a chilly welcome to the Vale and their faithful fans, it was another all important game in their bid to claim not one, but two league championships in their first season.With only eleven players, the Vale's mettle was in for another major test as they knew the importance of the three points to be gained from the game against LA Union - who had a full squad of players on the pitch in the pre-game warm up.
Coach Dean positioned his eleven players, readied them for the task at hand with some rousing words and the game was underway. In the early minutes Nick was yelling directions to the team from the sidelines as everyone adjusted to playing in various positions they were not necessarily used to playing in. A long range effort from LA Union had the Vale's keeper at full stretch and a stupendous save tipped the ball onto the bar. After this early scare Vale began to gain some control in the midfield with Chap and Dean orchestrating the Vale's passing game. Oli, in the front runner position, caused problems for the LA Union defence as he took on defenders and released a fine shot from the right side just over the bar. A fine corner was met by Jon Greene and he powered his header into the back of the LA Union net, only to be disallowed for not calling a name. Obviously the usual bias of the referee was present here this evening. With 35 minutes gone and the game still scoreless, it was a huge relief when Oli's power cross bounced across the goal and Dean met it with a perfect diving header, finally breaking the deadlock between the two teams. Celebrations on and off the field followed and you could feel the tension ease in the atmosphere around the ground.
LA Union tried to find a way back before the break but Boyley, Chris, Dave and Jamo kept a tight rein on the LA Union attacks, giving nothing away. As the ref blew for half time it was LA Vale-1, LA Union-0.
Knowing their task was not complete, the spirit of the team was one of passion and commitment as they took to the field to begin the next crucial 45 minutes. Patrice was having an outstanding game and, again, he was fouled as he held the ball up, took on players and created openings for Oli and Dean in front of the LA Union goal. With the second goal proving elusive as LA Union battened down their hatches at the back, LA Vale were in a full on head to head challenge to hold on to their one goal lead. Their lead was finally taken away as LA Union won a corner, which resulted in a strong header beating Conor in the Vale goal to bring the score to one apiece.
Now the tactics of LA Union became those of time-wasting, as a 1-1 tie here would be a dream result for them.
With the minutes ticking away, it seemed LA Vale would have to settle for a draw. Nick was introduced late in the game, even though he was still nursing an injured hamstring. His presence on the field inspired the Vale to dig deeper and continue to fight until the final whistle. When Vale were awarded a free kick outside the LA Union penalty box Chap convinced Dean to let him take the free kick. His kick was curled into the six yard box where Chris missed with his head and, as the ball seemed to fall in slow motion right at Nick's feet, he swivelled and swept the ball in one motion past the helpless LA Union keeper. What a celebration followed that goal!! As the whole vale team converged on Nick while he ran back towards the Vale fans - eleven grown men, arms flung about each other jumping up and down for joy - Deano was booked for taking his shirt off and waving it around his head, but nobody cared about that as Nick's bald head was submerged yet again by the hands of his team mates. The floodlights seemed to shine brighter with the ebullience of the team and the fans.
When the final whistle blew three minutes later, the celebrations resumed. Vale had done it!! They had claimed another fantastic victory. This one seemed all that more special given the circumstances of the largely depleted squad.
One game left in the Super Metro, can the LA Vale do the double? If they play like that, you bet they can!! With the fall weather in Griffith Park providing a chilly welcome to the Vale and their faithful fans, it was another all important game in their bid to claim not one, but two league championships in their first season.
With only eleven players, the Vale's mettle was in for another major test as they knew the importance of the three points to be gained from the game against LA Union - who had a full squad of players on the pitch in the pre-game warm up.
Coach Dean positioned his eleven players, readied them for the task at hand with some rousing words and the game was underway. In the early minutes Nick was yelling directions to the team from the sidelines as everyone adjusted to playing in various positions they were not necessarily used to playing in. A long range effort from LA Union had the Vale's keeper at full stretch and a stupendous save tipped the ball onto the bar. After this early scare Vale began to gain some control in the midfield with Chap and Dean orchestrating the Vale's passing game. Oli, in the front runner position, caused problems for the LA Union defence as he took on defenders and released a fine shot from the right side just over the bar. A fine corner was met by Jon Greene and he powered his header into the back of the LA Union net, only to be disallowed for not calling a name. Obviously the usual bias of the referee was present here this evening. With 35 minutes gone and the game still scoreless, it was a huge relief when Oli's power cross bounced across the goal and Dean met it with a perfect diving header, finally breaking the deadlock between the two teams. Celebrations on and off the field followed and you could feel the tension ease in the atmosphere around the ground.
LA Union tried to find a way back before the break but Boyley, Chris, Dave and Jamo kept a tight rein on the LA Union attacks, giving nothing away. As the ref blew for half time it was LA Vale-1, LA Union-0.
Knowing their task was not complete, the spirit of the team was one of passion and commitment as they took to the field to begin the next crucial 45 minutes. Patrice was having an outstanding game and, again, he was fouled as he held the ball up, took on players and created openings for Oli and Dean in front of the LA Union goal. With the second goal proving elusive as LA Union battened down their hatches at the back, LA Vale were in a full on head to head challenge to hold on to their one goal lead. Their lead was finally taken away as LA Union won a corner, which resulted in a strong header beating Conor in the Vale goal to bring the score to one apiece.
Now the tactics of LA Union became those of time-wasting, as a 1-1 tie here would be a dream result for them.
With the minutes ticking away, it seemed LA Vale would have to settle for a draw. Nick was introduced late in the game, even though he was still nursing an injured hamstring. His presence on the field inspired the Vale to dig deeper and continue to fight until the final whistle. When Vale were awarded a free kick outside the LA Union penalty box Chap convinced Dean to let him take the free kick. His kick was curled into the six yard box where Chris missed with his head and, as the ball seemed to fall in slow motion right at Nick's feet, he swivelled and swept the ball in one motion past the helpless LA Union keeper. What a celebration followed that goal!! As the whole vale team converged on Nick while he ran back towards the Vale fans - eleven grown men, arms flung about each other jumping up and down for joy - Deano was booked for taking his shirt off and waving it around his head, but nobody cared about that as Nick's bald head was submerged yet again by the hands of his team mates. The floodlights seemed to shine brighter with the ebullience of the team and the fans.
When the final whistle blew three minutes later, the celebrations resumed. Vale had done it!! They had claimed another fantastic victory. This one seemed all that more special given the circumstances of the largely depleted squad.
One game left in the Super Metro, can the LA Vale do the double? If they play like that, you bet they can!!
Words by Jamie Donovan.
