Kenn Valley Slump To Defeat In First Friendly Of The Season

<p>Kenn Valleys first Pre-seaon game of the year saw them face Uphill Castle.<p>Uphill had played 4 pre-season games before hand & coming off the back of a Championship winning season in Somerset Division 2.<p>The early stages of the game saw Valley sitting deep & absorbing large amounts of pressure with little possesion. Uphill continued to move the ball well playing some neat intricate 1-2's but not really causing Valley many problems. A few wayward efforts over the bar & long range efforts were the best chances for Uphill. Valley began to grow into the game a little more attempting to counter attack every chance they got with both Adam Stephens & Ben Stanley looking to break away every chance they got.<p>The first goal Came on the 35 minute mark with Valley pushing up the field, Uphill won the ball & broke quickly, A strike was well blocked by Wedlake on the edge of the box only to fall to the Uphill Central Midfielder who escaped his marker & tucking the ball away neatly in the corner well out of Stu Wilson's grasp.<p>This shook Valley & it was only a short time after the first goal that Valley conceded the second. A poor freekick given away 25 yards from goal saw the resulting freekick rebound off the wall back into the takers path with a mazy run & some poor tackling from the Valley defence leading to a trip in the box, no choice for the ref but to give a penalty. Well taken into the right hand corner & Valley were 2-0 down at HT.<p>The second half saw Valley have a little more possesion with some good strong running from Ricky Smith & Ben Stanley creating half chances. The Third goal came on the 65th minute mark after a long ball over the top & a mix up between both defender & goalkeeper. Beesley was tackled on the edge of his box attempting to escape the oncoming striker & a back peddling Wilson unable to get down in time from the bobbling shot into the corner.<p>The best chance of the half for Valley came in the last few minutes of the game after a long freekick by Beesley was well headed into the corner by Nath Preddy only for the Uphill Castle keeper to get a good hand & parry around the post.<p>A better second half from Valley showing good determination to try getting back into the game. Valley will be looking to bounce back before the start of the season in there next upcoming friendly.<p>HT - KVFC 0 - 2<p>FT - KVFC 0 - 3