FA YOUTH CUP
FA Youth Cup sponsored by E.ON
First Round Proper - 02nd November 2009
ShrewsburyTown 2 (0) v Port Vale 1 (1)
ShrewsburyTown: Duyan, Taylor. D, Evans, Richards, Goldson, Keyes, Evans (Male 54), Dix, Partridge (Lloyd 54), Bradshaw, Taylor, J. Subs not used: Springthorpe, Wells, Dunkley.
Port Vale: Watson, Raglan, Bell, Morsy, Bratt, Davis, Osei Siribour, Plant (Hague 72), Malbon, Cox (McGowan 67), Lloyd, Subs not used: Johnson, Rice, Christenson.
Vale traveled to the ProStart Stadium to face Shrewsbury in the first of two cup ties in the next four weeks, as the Midland Youth Cup tie follows at ValePark on December 2nd. The game took time to settle down but the first chance fell to Vale after 5 minutes.
A series of headers forward saw Malbon bringing the ball under control and play it for Morsy to run onto, he played it left to Lloyd whose shot was wide of the post from 20 yards. Vale threatened again when Lloyd drove forward and swung the ball to the far post where Osei Siribour was moving in fast but he could not get enough on the ball to put it back towards goal.
Shrewsbury did create a chance but again Vale should have taken the lead as Lloyd put Bell down the wing; his cross was only partially cleared and Osei Siribour had his shot blocked. Shrewsbury almost scored from a free kick at the mid point of the half as the ball skidded through and Watson scrambled across his goal to tip it around the post and safety.
A long range effort from Morsy was next, but it lacked the power to trouble the 'keeper. Soon after Shrewsbury had a corner and Vale's failure to clear led to a few scares before being finally played up to the halfway line.
In the 32nd minute Vale's superiority paid of as an interchange between Malbon and Morsy saw Malbon turn on goal and strike a curling dipping shot from 30 yards out that left the 'keeper clawing at empty space. Shrewsbury responded and a snap shot from distance caused momentary alarm but Watson was able to watch it clear the bar. Shrewsbury again threatened in added on time when a free kick was swept goalwards only to be blocked for a corner.
The first incident of note in the second half was clash between Bratt and Bradsham that left the home player requiring lengthy off-field treatment. Vale had two shots in quick succession that were blocked but then had to withstand a period of pressure that threatened to bring an equaliser.
It was not too long before the goal did arrive though, as in the 57th minute Vale's defenders backed off substitute Lloyd around the edge of the box and he picked his spot into the far corner to make it 1 - 1. On the hour mark Watson was called upon to make a quality save to keep it level and was soon called into action again to thwart a cleverly worked free kick routine.
Vale were getting back into game and two shots were fired in, but did not trouble the 'keeper. As the game entered the final 10 minutes, Vale had a scare when Bratt missed an attempted clearance, allowing the ball to be played right across the Vale goal but luckily no-one was there to apply a finishing touch. The play switched the far end and Morsy's long range drive was narrowly over the bar.
In the 84th minute Shrewsbury took the lead as Bradshaw wriggled free of Bratt's close attention to hammer the ball home from 10 yards, giving Watson no chance. The lead was nearly increased within a minute as a break down the right saw a glancing header bounce just the wrong side of the far post.
The substitutes for the home team had made an impact on the game with more far more threat up front, particularly Lloyd's physical presence and ability to win and hold up the ball. Vale threw Bratt up front as they went after the equaliser but to no avail as Vale went out in the 1st Round of the FA Youth Cup for the second season running.
Lindon Roberts
Port Vale Volunteers' Group
