Match Preview: Crawley Town

Three goals, three points for the Vale

Tuesday 22nd October 2013


Crawley Town v Port Vale
League One

PORT VALE:

James Hurts, Mark Connolly, Connor Essam, Sergio Torres, Gary Alexander, Luke Rooney, Jonny Maddison. SUBS: Paul Jones, Mat Sadler, Kyle McFadzean, Andy Drury, Josh Simpson, Joe Walsh, Jamie Proctor, Dannie Bulman, Nicky Adams, Emile Sinclair, Mike Jones. CRAWLEY TOWN: 

2748 including 208 visiting supporters The Broadfield Stadium
Attendance:
Sam Johnson, Jennison Myrie-Williams, Chris Shuker, Tom Pope, Richard Duffy, Chris Birchall, Lee HughesSUBS:Chris Neal, Adam Yates, Chris Robertson, Liam Chilvers, Carl Dickinson, Louis Dodds, Anthony Griffith, Chris Lines, Doug Loft, Ben Williamson, Jordan Hugill.

Elsewhere Louis Dodds started in place of Jennison Myrie-Williams, who was also on the bench, and as expected, Carl Dickinson returned to the side after serving a one-match suspension to replace the suspended Daniel Jones.
He came in to partner Ben Williamson up front, whilst Saturday's front pairing of Tom Pope and Lee Hughes both had to take their place on the bench as substitutes.
Micky Adams had promised a surprise and he certainly provided one with the introduction of Jordan Hugill, fresh from being recalled from a loan spell with Gateshead.

Hugill almost had the perfect start to his Vale debut with his first touch of the game, when he met a left wing cross from Chris Lines with a stooping header which flashed just inches wide of the target.

and sent a low drive narrowly wide of Chris Neal’s left hand post.  minute when Emile Sinclair burst forwardthThe home side almost answered in the 9

GOAL:Paul Jones from the narrowest of angles.  read a poor back pass by Joe Walsh to nip in and squeeze the ball past Crawley ‘keeper LOUIS DODDS minute when thNot to be outdone, Vale went one better in the 10

It was no more than Vale deserved for their hard work and endeavour and they continued to graft all over the park, whilst playing some nice passing football.

GOAL: and the Vale skipper finished from the edge of the box.DOUG LOFT minute when Anthony Griffith thread the ball through for Hugill, who cleverly pulled the ball back for thVale struck for a second time in the 27

Louis Dodds almost added a third goal for the Valiants, picking up a short pass from Chris Lines to send a low angled drive just wide of the far post with the ‘keeper beaten.

Hugill was the next Vale player to go close, metting a right wing cross from Lines towards the back post, hitting the target and forcing Jones into a diving save.

Jones then sprinted off his line to snatch the ball away from the feet of the onrushing Williamson who raced through to meet a pass from Doug Loft on the left flank.

A terrific run down the right from Vale midfielder Chris Lines saw the former Sheffield Wednesday man burst into the box, only for Jones, who was quick off his line, to make the block at the death.

Vale began the second half in a similar fashion to that of the opening forty-five minutes, well organised, hard working and showing patience and good discipline.

GOAL: controlled the ball on his chest and took on three home defenders before firing past Jones from 12 yards.BEN WILLIAMSON minute when thVale were rewarded with a third goal in the 57

The home side had no option other than to throw bodies forward at every opportunity, but Vale continued to stick to their principles, defending well as a unit when necessary.

minute to a round of applause, not only from the Vale supporters behind the goal, but the entire Vale bench, including Tom Pope who came on to replace the youngster.thJardan Hugill was taken off in the 75

minute with Chris Birchall coming off the bench to replace Williamson.ndVale made another change in the 82