Experienced Vale Team Fall to Young Owls

Sheffield Wednesday 2 (1) v Port Vale 0 (0)

Wednesday 17 March 2010

Sheffield Wednesday: Richard O'Donnell, Max Wragg, Joss Wilde, Tom Hall, Cecil Nyoni, Jack Barnett (Danny Kirkland 85), Etienne Esajas, Callum Harrison, Vadaine Oliver (Sam Eckhardt 62), Nathan Modest, Luke Boden. Subs not used:Nick Haywood, Arron Jameson, Pat Meehan.

Port Vale Reserves: Chris Martin, Adam Yates, Matthew Bell, Simon Richman, Andrew Bratt, Luke Prosser, Sam Morsy, Doug Loft, Sean Rigg, Louis Dodds, Ross Davidson (Danny Glover 69). Subs not used: Daniel Lloyd-Weston, Anthony Malbon, James Beeston.

The game was played at Stocksbridge PS's ground in front of a crowd of around 50 people including Micky Adams and saw a Vale XI with quite a lot of experience face a young Wednesday team. The early play swung from end to end but the first shot was a powerful long range effort after 5 minutes from Loft that was charged down. Loft had the next opportunity with a free kick 30 yards out but his shot hit the wall and was cleared up field.

A knock back by Prosser was short and let in Oliver for a shot from an acute angle on the left. Martin stood up well at the near post to rescue Vale with a save as Wednesday's first chance went begging in the 20^th minute. Vale had made numerous appeals for offside decisions but not had been given, so the Vale bench advised the players to just get on with it and not to keep stopping and awaiting a flag.

Loft and Dodds both had shots from distance that were over the bar. Vale almost scored from a 26^th minute corner by Dodds that was met by Prosser. The ball beat the 'keeper but was headed off the line by the defender at the post. The corner was won after Riggs, who was looking the sharpest player on the pitch had almost put Dodds in on goal, resulting in the ball being diverted for the corner.

Vale fell behind in the 33^rd minute, somewhat against the run of play after another ball to Martin by Prosser fell short of its target. Nathan Modest nipped in to lift the ball over the arriving Martin and into the unguarded net. Vale almost fell further behind a couple of minutes later, but were rescued by an excellent save from Martin. Vale almost profited from a poor back pass themselves but Rigg was just beaten to the ball, so preventing a run on goal. Vale finished the half with two close range shots by Dodds and Davidson being blocked in quick succession and then a Richman header lacked the power to cause the 'keeper significant problems.

An early foul on Morsy gave Bell the chance to shoot and his dipping, curling shot over the wall saw a rooted 'keeper watch the ball hit the inside of the near post and fly clear across goal. A nice attack by Wednesday, initiated by Esajas eventually saw his shot saved by Martin's feet. Prosser then fouled 25 yards out but Esajas shot high and wide.

Davison was next to try his luck as he cut in well from the left but blazed his shot high over the goal. Wednesday made a substitution just after the hour mark and almost immediately doubled their lead as Etienne Esajas crashed a shot home from just outside the penalty area giving Martin no chance at all. Vale had a chance to get a goal back as Dodds was found inside the area but his first touch was poor and a tackle came in before he could shoot.

Hall cut through Vale's midfield evading 3 tackles but his powerful shot was blocked by Prosser at the expense of a corner that Vale cleared at the third attempt. Prosser then faced a lecture by the referee after a foul outside the penalty area on the left. With 10 minutes to go Rigg worked a good position but then ballooned the shot out of the ground.

Morsy won the ball near the halfway line and then proceeded up the right wing beating a couple of players on his way and his pull back was well met by Dodds but his shot was deflected over the bar. From the corner Prosser planted a firm header just wide. Morsy again did well and it resulted in Rigg seeing a shot saved.

Although Vale had more of the ball there was little cutting edge and the result was no clear cut chances and O'Donnell in the home goal was rarely called into serious action whereas Martin made a number of quality saves to keep the goals conceded to two.

Lindon Roberts - Port Vale Volunteers Group.