Report

Wednesday 01.05.13. and the Under 16's were away at Champions elect North Walkden.

On a rock hard bumpy pitch, Valleys passing game was going to be difficult compounded by a swirling wind. A fairly even first 10 minutes saw both teams go close to opening the score and it was North Walkden who opened on 12 minutes following a through ball to what looked like an offside player. It got worse for Valley 5 minutes later as a shot from outside the box looped over Valley keeper Dylan Harris who was blinded by the sun. Valley rallied however and came close, both Sam Halstead and Connor Walsh missing good chances to reduce the arrears. 1 minute before half time however, North Walkden won a very dubious free kick just outside the box, the shot was fired in and Dylan Harris could only parry the ball into the path of an incoming North Walkden attacker who nodded home. 3-0 at half time to the hosts.

Into the 2nd half and Valley took the game to their opponents, with the wind in their favour they attacked looking to reduce the arrears, Simon Willets and Connor Walsh impressing. North Walkden were relying on long through balls and it was from one of these on 60 minutes that an attacker latched onto a ball and fired home, 5 minutes later the same move resulted in notching a 5th for the hosts. Unbelievably though, this inspired Valley and they went to try to reduce the arrears. With 10 minutes left and with 3 men up front, Connor Walsh latched onto a through ball and hammered the ball home. Within a minute Simon Willets fired home a superb shot. North Walkden were now defending desperately, Josh Carlton headed over when he should have scored, he then saw a shot deflected wide, Simon Willets hit the post and a smart run from Sam Halstead saw his shot saved by the keeper.

The game ended 5-2.

MOM for Valley was Sam Halstead

Squad :-

Dylan Harris GK

Sam Halstead Captain

Josh Carlton

Simon Willets

Lewis Wolsey

Django Back

Lee Talbot

Peter Burke

Connor Walsh

Zack Drake

Brandon Ash

Mason Lewis

Photos

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