Valley Pay the Price in Eleven-Goal Thriller

Mersey Valley were left frustrated after an extraordinary afternoon at Pilkington ended in a 6–5 defeat, despite producing some of their best attacking numbers of the season.

In a game that perhaps summed up Valley’s season so far, Jon Hudson’s side looked capable of scoring almost every time they went forward, but repeated defensive errors ultimately proved too costly.

Valley actually produced more shots, more touches inside the opposition penalty area, more big chances and three times as many corners as their hosts. But at the other end, Pilkington were repeatedly allowed opportunities that could and should have been prevented.

Louis Quinn

The visitors made the perfect start after eight minutes. Louis Quinn produced an excellent ball to Sam Deering, whose delivery found James Matthews to open the scoring. The advantage lasted barely a minute.

Pilkington were level almost immediately as Valley failed to deal with runners, and two minutes later the hosts struck again to turn the game on its head.

Matthews responded in the 15th minute after Joel Riley reached the ball ahead of the goalkeeper, making it 2–2, but another defensive mistake allowed Pilkington to regain the lead five minutes later.

It was becoming an increasingly chaotic contest. Valley struggled for defensive structure and Pilkington exploited the space again on the half-hour to make it 4–2. Once again, however, Valley demonstrated just how dangerous they can be going forward.

Alfie Howarth reacted quickest following a Riley free-kick to reduce the deficit before Matthews completed his hat-trick four minutes before the break, finishing another excellent attacking move involving Quinn. At 4–4, Valley had somehow dragged themselves back into the contest.

But another combination of poor passing and communication allowed Pilkington to score again before half-time, sending Valley into the dressing room 5–4 behind.

Sam Deering

There was an improved start to the second half and Riley had a big opportunity to equalise, only to fire over. Then came another costly mistake, this time allowing Pilkington to extend their advantage to 6–4 after 55 minutes.

Valley were handed an immediate opportunity to respond when George Howarth was brought down inside the penalty area, but Deering’s resulting penalty was saved.

The game remained wide open. Alfie Howarth had another huge opportunity late on before Deering finally made it 6–5 in the 90th minute, converting after Pete Greenwood’s flick-on.

There was no time left to complete what would have been an extraordinary comeback.

The attacking statistics underline both the promise and the frustration of the afternoon. Valley registered 20 attempts to Pilkington’s 14, with both teams recording six on target. Valley had 29 touches inside the opposition box compared with 15, created seven big chances to five and won the corner count 9–3.

Four big chances also went begging.

There can be little question about Valley’s attacking threat. Matthews’ hat-trick took centre stage, while the visitors scored five times away from home and continually created opportunities. The concern remains at the other end.

Too many of Pilkington’s goals came from situations Valley will feel were avoidable, runners not being tracked, poor communication, mistakes in possession and a failure to retain the organisation required when the game became stretched.

Manager Jon Hudson did not attempt to hide his disappointment afterwards.

“I’m really disappointed with some of the individual performances. We spoke about what we needed to do, the players had clear instructions, and too often we simply didn’t follow them. Too many times, players were ahead of the ball.

The biggest frustration is that we keep making the same errors. We have to learn from them because you cannot keep giving teams opportunities and expect to win football matches.

At the other end of the pitch we are so dangerous. The statistics show that again. We’ve gone away from home, scored five, had 20 shots, 29 touches in their box and created seven big chances. We could quite easily have scored more.

But football isn’t just about what you do with the ball. We have to get the basics right. Communication, tracking runners, taking responsibility, following instructions and defending properly as a team and those things have to improve. There has to be a reaction now. Not just people saying the right things, but showing it on the training pitch and then in the next game. We have to see an improvement.”

Despite the result, there were positives in an attacking sense, with Matthews producing an outstanding individual display to claim the Star Man award after his hat-trick and a relentless performance leading the Valley attack.

For Valley, however, the message following another remarkable afternoon is straightforward. The attacking threat is unquestionably there. Now the defensive basics have to match it.

TEAM LINE UP

1 – Alex Gorst
22 – Junior Omorogbe
5 – Pete Greenwood (c)
6 – Ewan Roach
21 – Ted Palmer-Atkins
18 – Alfie Howarth
14 – Louis Quinn
17 – Joel Riley
7 – Sam Deering
8 – George Howarth
9 – James Matthews

Subs

2 – Charlie Hill
19 – Kobi Royle
16 – Alex Holroyd
11 – Mike Woolley
23 – Wilson Robinson Usieme

Referee: Daniel Moremon

James Matthews