Macclesfield v Port Vale 22nd October 2011
Hemmings
Pryor Davis Price Morris
Jeffries Thorley Plant Lloyd
Lee Russell
Sub; Evans Whieldon Boot Beasley
After two straight defeats, Vale were looking for an improved performance. Joe Davis returned to the line up.
The Vale lads where not on their best form compared to the start of the season, but seemed to edge the play against an average home side. Against the run of play the first opportunity went to Macclesfield as the striker found himself faced with a one on one chance against Hemmings who pulled of a great save. Morris found himself getting booked for a late challenge and Thorley fouled a midfielder in the box with a strong claim for a penalty whilst the referee waved play on and also booked the player for diving. Quite a mystery, but with Vale not complaining. Fortunately for the Vale, both sides went in at half time 0-0 with in fact both sides not that brilliant.
Half time 0-0
Vale started the stronger in the second half, Thorley threading the ball through to Jeffries who was denied a goal scoring opportunity, Macclesfield reacted with a few chances of their own with long range efforts, there was another dubious challenge in the box but this time the referee pointed to the spot. It seemed as if the referee was making up for the first half incident.
The striker stepped up and calmly put away the penalty to put Macclesfield 1-0 up.
The decision was to start a fury of tackles and challenges which saw Morris pick up his second yellow and get sent off on the 60th minute, Vale down to ten men dug deep and started to show signs of good passing which eventually from a deep corner from Lloyd to the back post saw Davis rise and head back across the box to the oncoming Jefferies to head home 1-1 on the 78th min.
Vale sat back for the remainder of the game tired legs and players carrying injuries saw schoolboy Beasley on as a sub for Russell to see the game to the end.
It was a welcome point for the lads and ended their losing run
Full Time Maccesfield 1 Port Vale 1
Report by Second Year apprentice Grant Jeffries
