A Night To Remember

Raynes Park Vale progressed to the next round of the FA Cup in a thrilling replay against Merstham. Despite going behind three times in the game and with only twenty minutes remaining on the clock, at 1-3 down the game looked a lost cause.

A Shamal Edwards header had evened the score for Vale on 39 minutes after Merstham's Tommy Bradford had put the visitors ahead after 35 minutes, and the game remained 1-1 at the half-time break.

Raynes Park Vale's pressure after the break amounted to nothing, and against the run of play, Merstham scored again, Louie Theophanous scoring from close range after 68 minutes. Four minutes later, Sinn Kaye Christie made it 1-3, and Vale's task looked insurmountable.

Kyen Nicholas was immediately brought on for Shamal Edwards to beef up the attack, and he began to have an impact on the game.

A 25-yard screamer from Mason Galloway on 78 minutes put Vale firmly back into the match, and seven minutes later, after being brought down inside the box, from the penalty spot Galloway smashed the ball in off the crossbar to level the scores at 3-3. Another Mason Galloway penalty eight minutes later smashed against the crossbar but this time went out for a goal kick. The drama wasn't over yet, with substitute Kyen Nicholas grabbing the winner a minute into injury time, the Vale faithful were ecstatic!

Vale manager Hayden Bird's verdict on the game was 'What a night to remember!'

Thoughts now turn to the league. Vale's opening game against Moneyfields at Grand Drive promises to be a stern test. The Moneys finished 4th in the table last season and will be fancied for at least a playoff place again this season.

Raynes Park Vale vs Moneyfields - 15th August - Kick-off 3 pm - Grand Drive, Raynes Park