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VICKERS STALEMATE AT OAKWOOD EARNS A POINT TO KEEP THEM IN 8TH PLACE
VCD Athletic 0 Redbridge 0
In a scrappy affair on a windswept day at Oakwood the spoils were shared with Redbridge in a game of few clear cut chances. With a glut of goals and exciting football seen at Oakwood this season it is only the second goal-less game seen at VCD all year, the last being against neighbours Thamesmead Town back in January. With the recent seven goal home win (4-3) against Leyton and their earlier six goal wins against East Thurrock and Thamesmead (both 4-2) to go with various goalfests, visitors to Oakwood have been spoilt for goalmouth action this season.
This game failed to spark into life for the whole ninety minutes though not helped by a strong wind and it was apparent that the excellent away day wins at Harlow and Tilbury had taken their toll. With Aaron Firth brought back into the starting line up and captain Danny Penny, David Hunt and Chris Tedder on the bench the squad had a strong look again but Hogg, Maskell and Cook were all still missing through suspension and injury. The visitors were the better side for the opening 15 minutes and midfielders Leon Diaczuk and Mark Nougher both looked to attack with the former having a good chance that was saved by Jack Bradshaw.
Chuck Duru then got on the end of a good Redbridge move but his shot was well blocked by young centre half George Mitchell. The Vickers slowly started to come into the game and winger Callum O'Shea sent an excellent cross into the box but it just evaded Nick Hegley at the far post. Hegley had the best chance of the game released by captain Leroy Huggins and his fierce drive was well saved by James Marrable for a corner. Kevin Winchcombe's resultant corner was met at the far post by Mitchell but his glancing header missed the target.
O'Shea sent in another cross into the Redbridge box but Marrable punched to safety under pressure from Huggins and Bradshaw made a comfortable save at the other end from the industrious Diaczuk. The second half saw the introduction of exciting youngster Uche Ibemere for Firth and Danny Penny for Gary Ward in a double substitution as the home side went for the win. Ibemere tormented the centre halves immediately with his pace and sublime skill and won a succession of corners with some fine forward play. From a Hegley corner Penny sent a header towards goal and as Huggins looked to glance it over the line Marrable plucked it from the striker's head.
The closing minutes saw the game open out and Redbridge's left winger Fabion wasted two good opportunites, the last of which brought a point winning save from Jack Bradshaw. With twelve points from a possible fifteen in the five games prior to this it could be argued the games had caught up with the normally bright Vickers on a day when a handful looked heavy legged. VCD take on Harlow Town in the return fixture of their recent 2-1 away win at Oakwood on Tuesday 9th March KO 7.45pm.
VCD Line up J Bradshaw, Asbury, Barton, Ward (Penny 68 mins), Watson, Mitchell, O'Shea, Winchcombe, Huggins, Firth (Ibemere 68 mins), Hegley
Subs not used Hunt, Foley and J Tedder
AN EVENING WITH THEO FOLEY AND DEREK HALES – SATURDAY 27TH MARCH AT VCD
The club have organised a fantastic evening with two local legends in Theo Foley and Derek ‘Killer’ Hales. The evening will consist of entertainment, food and a question and answer session with Theo and Derek.
Theo played in all four divisions of the football league with Burnley, Exeter, Northampton and Charlton Athletic and played in the World Cup for his country, Eire. He then went on to become player-coach and then Manager of Charlton Athletic where he signed the holy trinity of Derek Hales, Mike Flanagan and Colin Powell plucking them all from obscurity to become Valley Legends. Theo went on to have a hugely successful coaching and management career with Millwall (twice), QPR, Arsenal (Assistant Manager), Northampton Town (manager), Southend (Assistant Manager), Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur. The ultimate highlight of Theo’s career included the best finish to a championship season ever as part of the management team at Highbury that won the league with the last kick of the season at Anfield thanks to a Michael Thomas goal in 1989 to make the score 2-0 when the north London side had to win by two clear goals. Theo now works at Charlton Athletic on matchdays in the corporate hospitality suites and when not working, he is always seen at Oakwood watching his son Paul’s side compete in the Ryman North!
Derek is an Addicks’ legend who became a firm favourite at the Valley with his goals and character that are still revered to this day. Derek’s image has been immortalised on many a Charlton t-shirt as he has been elevated to cult status among fans young and old. Derek started his career at neighbours Dartford FC before Luton Town signed him for £2,000 but Theo Foley snapped him up only a year later for £4,000 where he went on to score 168 goals in 368 games earning himself the nickname ‘Killer’ for his predatory instincts in front of goal. In between two spells at Charlton he also played top flight football for Derby County and West Ham whom he supported as a boy. He finished his career playing for Gillingham FC scoring 9 times in 31 games. Derek then went into teaching and also became a landlord of his local pub. He is now seen at the Valley on matchdays in the corporate hospitality suites where he holds court with his stories of yesteryear! Derek once famously had a fight with one of his own team-mates, Mike Flanagan which earned him a red card!
Tickets are priced at £15 and are available in the clubhouse......they are runnning out fast however!
VICKER’S YOUNG BABES SEE OFF DOCKERS
Tilbury 0 VCD Athletic 1
VCD fielded a side containing three seventeen year olds and four nineteen year olds yet still recorded a fine 1-0 win away to Tilbury. With Danny Penny, Lee Maskell, Anthony Hogg, James Tedder, Gary Cook, Chris Tedder, Aaron Firth and Kane Rice all missing the chance to impress was handed to VCD's talented youngsters and they seized the opportunity.
With teenager Jack Bradshaw in goal behind seventeen year old George Mitchell and nineteen year old Jack Asbury in the back four the defence held firm against an attack minded Tilbury. Nineteen year old Callum O'Shea started his second game for the Vickers with seventeen year old Uche Ibemere up front for the injured Aaron Firth.
The hosts started at a frantic pace and tested the young side but some excellent defending by Mitchell, David Hunt and 'keeper Bradshaw saw off the danger. Senior centre half Hunt was forced to leave the field injured on 15 minutes with Jack Asbury taking to the field at right back giving the right side a combined age of 38. The Vickers saw off the early threat and began to create chances of their own with Hegley, O'Shea and Winchcombe all sending in good crosses.
The only goal of the game came on 24 minutes following some fine work by full back Jason Barton who passed to Leroy Huggins who beat his marker and crossed to the far post where teenage winger O'Shea guided his header home with an assured finish. The hosts rallied to find an equaliser and left themselves exposed at the back to the counter attack with the Vickers looking dangerous with Ibemere, Huggins and Hegley all threatening.
The most blatant penalty seen all season was not awarded when Huggins had his standing leg pulled by the keeper as he turned to slot the ball home on 70 minutes. With fifteen minutes to go Ibemere was released by Huggins and as he bore down on goal he looked to square the ball to O'Shea who was unmarked but his cross was intercepted by the Tilbury keeper.
Teenagers Ryan Cole and Tom Bradshaw were introduced for Ibemere and O'Shea as the Vickers defended to see out the remaining minutes. With the last kick of the game the ball bounced in the Vickers box but the Tilbury forward managed to blaze over from 6 yards out much to the relief of the Vickers.
VCD Line up
J Bradshaw, Watson, Barton, Ward, Mitchell, Hunt (Asbury 15 mins), O'Shea (1 goal sub T Bradshaw 88 mins), Winchcombe, Huggins, Ibemere (sub Ryan Cole 80 mins), Hegley
FIRTH MAGIC SEALS THREE POINTS FOR VICKERS FOR SECOND TIME IN FIVE DAYS
Harlow Town 1 VCD Athletic 2
VCD came from behind for the second time in five days to secure another valuable three points to push them back into the top half of the Ryman North. The 2-1 away day win against Harlow Town was well deserved in the end despite their resurgent hosts enjoying the better of the opening half hour spurred on by their excellent fans. Harlow have signed no fewer than ten players in the last week thanks to a takeover by local businessman and they were spurred on by their fans at their impressive Barrows Farm Stadium.
The hosts started the game very well and the front pair of Wayne Grant and Jose Espinozu caused problems for the Vickers back four. Having seen off the initial dangers with a succession of corners and free kicks dealt with the home side opened the scoring on 25 minutes from a nodded down free kick that was bundled over by Grant. This spurred the Vickers into action and only 3 minutes later a powerful run from the left by Jason Barton ended with a curling right foot cross that was glanced home by captain Leroy Huggins.
VCD, already without captain Danny Penny, 'keeper James Tedder and midfielders Anthony Hogg and Lee Maskell were dealt another blow when Gary Cook was forced the leave the field injured after 30 minutes being replaced by Chris Tedder. Wingers Nick Hegley and Callum O'Shea began to cause problems for the home side and Firth and Hegley both had chances to put the Vickers in front as the ball flashed across the goal.
With the scores level at half time and the Vickers having defended against the strong wind in the first half they went for the win in the second half and were much the better side for the remainder of the game. With only minutes played in the second half Firth flicked on a cross from Hegley to O'Shea who controlled before volleying with his left foot drawing a fine close range save from James Hassell. Only 5 minutes later it was Hegley's turn who jinked past his marker and fired a low drive at the near post which Hassell turned away for a corner. Hegley was at it again being played in by Firth but instead of crossing to Huggins elected to shot and his shot was blocked.
At the other end Jack Bradshaw dealt with any danger well and the Vickers exploited the space on the right to good effect with Kevin Watson and O'Shea combining well. On 80 minutes came an inevitable red card for the hot headed Wayne Grant who was lucky to escape a red after only 5 minutes for grabbing Winchcombe around the face. On a yellow card for a bad tackle in the first the forward slid into Barton when the ball had gone and got his marching orders.
Minutes later Harlow player-manager Marvin Samuels surged into the box to get on the end of a fine Trevor Elliot cross but his header blazed over from 10 yards with Chris Tedder being forced to leave the field having been injured in the attack. The Vickers moved in for the kill with the man advantage and pushed men forward for the win and sure enough on 87 minutes came what proved to be the winner. Teenage substitute Jack Asbury ran 20 yards before feeding Firth with a low pass and in one movement Firth swept the ball from the edge of the box up and over the stranded keeper with a superb finish, his third in two games.
There was still time in injury time for the pacy substitute Uche Ibemere to win a penalty for the Vickers following some persistent play setting up O'Shea in the box but getting pushed in the process. Captain Huggins struck his penalty fiercely but the home side had Hassell to thank once more for a good save with his feet. The Vickers have recorded back to back away victories this time beating a new look Harlow Town who will surely pick up some wins in the remaining games in the challenge to beat the drop.
VCD line up
J Bradhaw, Watson, Barton, Ward, Cook (sub Tedder 30 mins), Hunt, O'Shea, Winchcombe, Huggins (capt 1 goal), Firth (1 goal sub Ibemere 87 minutes), Hegley
Subs not used Maskell and Walsh
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