Raynes Park Vale ended Larkfield’s participation in the FA Vase, Larkfield will have regrets as they only really played once they got their goal & rattled Vale who up to then controlled the game now Larkfield will concentrate on the League & promotion.

Raynes Park Vale came out of the traps quickly & in the 10th minute they had their first chance when a corner to the back pot was head back into the area for Reece Hannigan but his header was saved under the bar by Arron Lee-Wharton.

In the 17th minute in a rare attack Sam Flisher’s cross into the area found Brett Ince but his header went over the bar & from then to the end of the first half Vale dominated.

In the 29th minute they took the lead when a corner right under the crossbar was headed in by Jordan Gallagher. Half time arrived & from Larkfield’s perspective they were only one goal down & still in the game but needed to up the tempo if they were going to get back into the game while Vale would like the same but a bit more clinical.

The second half was only three minutes old when Vale could have doubled their lead when Lewis Mingle’s back header was latched onto by Timmy Obisanya & he went into the area & from 15 yards saw his shot
saved by Lee-Wharton.

Two minutes later Obisanya on the right saw his low cross into the 6 yard area hacked clear by Brett Ince.

In the 61st minute Vale did double their lead when a move down the left side saw the ball end up at Nathan Lewis’s feet & his shot from 15 yards was parried away by Lee-Wharton but only to Aaron Lamont who headed in from two yards. The game seemed over for Larkfield.

In the 67th minute Jake Hills saw his 30 yard shot go just past the post then in the 75th minute Larkfield out of the blue got a goal back when a dinked cross into the area saw Mackenzie Gardiner knock it in from close.

Goals change games & Larkfield came to life, in the 79th minute a free kick into the area by Lee-Wharton was flicked on forcing James Smithy to push it around the post, then in the 89th minute Charlie Smith in the area saw his shot from 12 yards come back off the bar, how close to forcing penalties.

The full time whistle went & Vale are in the draw Monday while Larkfield will be kicking themselves for not starting to play until they scored & would wonder what if.

LARKFIELD & NEW HYTHE:

A.LEE-WHARTON 2. S.FLISHER 3. G.SIBLEY 4. L.MINGLE 5. J.BRAY (64) 6. B.INCE (79) 7. J.HAYLOCK-ASHDOWN 8. D.LOTT 9. L.BURDEN 10. C.WOODCOCK 16. C.SMITH

SUBS USED: 12. M.GARDINER (64) 14. D.COOPER (79)

SUBS NOT USED: 11. J.MARSH 15. D.LEWIS 17. F.PETRISER

BOOKINGS: 16. C.SMITH (24) 9. L.BURDEN (90+6 )

RAYNES PARK VALE

J.SMITHY 2. A.HARLAND-GODDARD 4. J.STEPHNEY 6. R.HANNIGAN (90+1) 8. L.DOWNEY (55) 9. T.OBISANYA (79) 10. J.GALLGHER 11. E.ARCHER 12. A.LAMONT 23. D.MOODY 26. J.HILL

SUBS USED: 7. B.SWEENEY (55) 20. C.PENNEY (79) 5. N.LEWIS (90+1)

SUBS NOT USED: 1. B.BISHOP 3. C.HOPE 25. JSTAVELY 30. C.McALLISTER

BOOKINGS: J.GALLAGHER ( MANAGER 90+3)

REFEREE: Mr J.DANN-PYE

ASSISTANTS: Mr S.EVERITT & Mr G.CALEY

ATTENDANCE: 154

Picture supplied by Larkfield & New Hythe.