THE VICKERS BACK TO WINNING WAYS

THE VICKERS BACK TO WINNING WAYS

VCD ATHLETIC 4 WALTHAM ABBEY 1

Following some unfortunate results of late despite giving decent performances, the Vickers were back on top of their game against a lively Waltham outfit who gave a stern test, but were unable to overly trouble a resolute VCD defence in which our back four were in commanding form. The inclusion of debutant Ignacio Garcia proved inspired with his touch and flair in midfield continually involving his new team-mates, who were quickly able to get their passing game going on the slick Oakwood pitch. The Vickers were straight on the attack from the whistle with Kojo Awotwi latching on to a clearance and breaking down the right, but after cutting inside his man he slipped as he attempted to shoot and the chance was gone. Both sides put on an entertaining show but it was VCD that took the lead in the 20th minute when a throw was headed into the path of Connor Hogan, and his first time low drive seemed to catch Abbey keeper Lewis Lockyer by surprise as the ball nestled in the bottom corner. Both sides were cancelling each other out, but it was VCD that looked the more likely to take advantage and it came as no surprise when a second goal was added midway through the half. Tyrus Gordon-Young was upended when making a run forward and from the resulting free kick, Kris Newby picked out Farai Hallam who headed powerfully home. Five minutes later it was three when Tyrus Gordon-Young outpaced his marker before rounding the advancing Lockyer and firing into the empty net. The Vickers were looking comfortable by now but had a scare in the final minutes of the half when a defence splitting ball sent Billy Holland clear on goal, but a fine recovery tackle by Ricardo Joseph took the ball off his toes as he was about to shoot. Waltham did finally get their reward just before the whistle when a ball over the top was controlled by skipper Ryan Blackman who slotted low past Nik Freund.
The Vickers opened the second half straight on the attack with Ignacio Garcia breaking up a move in midfield before moving down the right, from where he played a neat ball in to Greg Akpele whose shot brought an excellent save from Lockyer to stop the hosts extending their lead. The Vickers then went close on a few occasions when Gordon-Young’s effort was deflected behind by Sam West, then Akpele sent in a curling ball which cleared Lockyer but drifted just over the angle, before Jamie Guy set up Jack Stevenson whose drive just went over. As it looked as though the Vickers were going to take complete control, Waltham began a sustained period of pressure, having their most dominant spell of the game and they began to cause VCD problems and should have reduced the arrears when the ball was worked forward and played to former Vicker Greg Moorse in space some 10 yards out, but he screwed his shot wide of the right hand post. They were made to pay shortly after when Garcia again won the ball in midfield and played it wide on the left to substitute Mitch Hahn who took a touch before driving low inside Lockyer’s right hand post to seemingly make the game safe. There were two more pieces of notable action before the end when Abbey’s Ruariuh Kay ran on to a loose ball and drilled it towards the top corner, but Nik Freund produced a magnificent save to fingertip the ball on to the angle, and then shortly after a Waltham forward got clear but Freund again came to the rescue, getting a hand to the ball as the player tried to go round him and the danger was cleared.

VCD Athletic: Freund, Tchonang, Joseph, Garcia, Gorbell, Hallam, Newby, Hogan, Gordon-Young (Guy 69), Awotwi (Hahn 70), Akpele (Stevenson 64)

Subs not used: Clark, Pearce

Attendance: 75

Report by Brian Norris