Crewe Alex v Port Vale

Match report from Gresty Road

Saturday 23rd November 2013


Crewe Alex v Port Vale
League One


6820 including 2,281 visiting supporters At Gresty Road
Attendance:

CREWE ALEX: Neil Etheridge, Matt Tootle, Kelvin Mellor, Harry Davis, Mark Ellis, Adam Dugdale, Abdul Osman, Ajay Leitch-Smith, Byron Moore, Vadaine Oliver, George Evans. SUBS: Ben Garratt, Jon Guthrie, Liam Nolan, Thierry Audel, Chuks Eneke, Ryan Colclough, Billy Waters

PORT VALE: Chris Neal, Adam Yates, Chris Robertson, Doug Loft, Jennison Myrie-Williams, Tom Pope, Rob Taylor, Chris Lines, Anthony Griffith, Richard Duffy, Jordan Hugill. SUBS: Sam Johnson, Louis Dodds, Gavin Tomlin, Ben Williamson, Liam Chilvers, Chris Birchall, Lee Hughes.

Vale earned the bragging rights with a 2-1 win over South Cheshire rivals Crwe Alexandra thanks to Jennison Myrie-Williams’ fourth goal in three games since being recaled to the side.

minute.nd minute and Myrie-Williams settled matters in the 82nd minute of the game, only for Rob Taylor, to level the scores in the 42thThe home side had taken the lead through George Evans in the 34

Micky Adams made two changes from the side that beat Shrewsbury Town, one of them enforced.

Carl Dickinson was ruled out with an infection in an open wound on his shin and he was replaced by Rob Taylor.

The other change was up front where the manager decisided to replave Ben Williamson with Jordan Hugill.

The home side settled down quickly and almost snatched a surprise lead as early as the third minute when a header from Mark Ellis flshed across the face of the Vale goal.

Vale were sllow to settle in a scrappy opening to the game in which chances were not forthcoming for either side as each cancelled each other out.

minute when a low drive from outside the box by George Evans slammed against the post.thVale were looking a shoadow of the side they had been in recent games and they were almost punished for slack defending in the 19

Vale were not imposing themselves on the game in vital areas and were allowing the home side to play the ball about almost at will, though rarely with any real purpose.

The home side had enjoyed a spell where they were om top and although the opening goal may have been seen by some to be a little fortuoitous, it was certainly deserved.

GOAL:, 20 yards out, put the ball back into the box over everybody and insde the far post to put Crewe in front with 34 minutes on the clock.GEORGE EVANSUnder pressure, Vale could only half clear and when the ball fell to

Jennison Myrie-Williams forced Alex ‘keeper Neil Etheridge to go down at the foot of the upright to save, as Vale looked to hit back almost imediately.

minute of the game.rdThe visitors were now exerting plany of pressure on their hosts and it paid off nicelt for the Valiants in the 43

GOAL: on the left – he hit a shot through a sea of bodies and the ball eventuall squirmed over the line for the equaliser.ROB TAYLORA cross from Adam Yates nout on ther right evaded everybody, reaching

The Alex began the second forty-five the livelier of the two sides and wasted an opportunity to go back in front when Byron Moore made room for thr shot but could only blaze over Chris Neal’s crossbar.

minute with the introduction of Ben Williamson who replaced Hugill.thVale made their first change of the afternoon in the 58

Moments later Etheridge was called upon to make a terrific reflex save at the foot of his post to keep out Vale skipper Doug Loft.

Vale were by now the dominant force, piling the pressure on without giving the Crewe ‘keeper too much to worry about, whilst the home side were forced to rely on the occasional break.

minute, Gaving Tomiln coming on to replace the injured Doug Loft.thVale made a second change in the 69

GOAL:JENNISON MYRIE-WILLIAMS. minutes at the far post by ndAll of Vale’s attacking play finally paid offwhen Williamson sliped the ball inside the box for Tom Pope, whose cross-come shot was slammed into the net in the 82

Six minutes later the goal scorer was taken off, with Chris Birchall taking his place in the Vale midfield.