Vale leave it late to snatch a win at the Weaver Stadium
As expected, Micky Adams decided to give most of his squad forty-five minutes each as ale lined up for a third friendly in four days.
First half Xl: Chris Neal, Adam Yates, Joe Davis, Gareth Owen, Doug Loft, Jennison Myrie-Williams, Ryan Burge, Darren Murphy, Tom Pope, Darren Byfield, Ashley Vincent.
Vale went close early on when Ashley Vincent fired wide after being set up by Darren Byfield, who has been training with Micky Adams’ side.
The impressive Byfield had a shot blocked as Vale dominated without finding the breakthrough, then four minutes later the home side almost went in front when Rod McDonald – Clayton’s brother – headed wide.
minute, then Nantwich ‘keeper (ex-Vale) just beat Byfield to a cross from Jennison Myrie-Williams.rdVincent flashed a shot over the crossbar in the 33
Midfielder Ryan Burge was pulling the strings for the visitors and their were some telling runs from skipper Doug Loft, but the game remained goalless at half time.
Second half Xl: Chris Neal, Clayton McDonald, John McCombe, Dave Artell, Ryan Lloyd, Kingsley James, Sam Morsy, Chris Shuker, Louis Dodds, Ben Williamson, Tadhg Purcell.
minute when substitute Zak Foster raced clear, only to stroke his shot wide of the far post.stThe home side went close to breaking the deadlock in the 51
minute and two minutes later Chris Neal held a 30 yard rocket from Chris Flynn.stNantwich were on top at this stage and Will Jones had a shot blocked in the 61
minute when Ryan Lloyd, playing at left back, burst clear down the left, beating two men, but his ball into the box was side-footed well wide by Sam Morsy.thVale should have gone ahead in the 76
minute shot saved by Brain and a minute later the former Vale and Macclesfield ‘keeper produced a superb save to deny Chris Shuker.thBen Williamson had an 86
It looked like the game was going to finish goalless until Louis Dodds was pushed over inside the area and Purcell gratefully stroked home to spot kick to seal a Vale victory, with the referee then blowing for full time.