Vale’s recent run of form continued with another away defeat.
Attendance: 4,291 including 261 visiting supporters
League One
At Kingsmeadown Stadium
Saturday 17th December 2016
AFC Wimbledon v Port Vale
Vale’s recent run of form continued with another away defeat, despite the performance of goalkeeper Jak Alnwick, who made several class saves during the ninety minutes.
Second half goals in the space of three minutes from Dom Poleon and Tom Elliott and further goals from Tyrone Barnett and Chris Robertson sealed Vale’s fate at the Kingsmeadow Stadium as the Valiants slipped further down the table.
Bruno Ribiero decided to go with an unchanged side for the trip to Kingston upon Thames as Vale prepared to take on AFC Wimbledon at the Kingsmeadow Stadium.
That meant a frustrating wait in the wings for defenders Sam Hart and Kjell Knops, who were each named amongst the Vale substitutes.
minute when a close range shot from Regino Cicilia was deflected for a corner. From the resulting flag kick Alex Jones’ effort was kicked off the line.rdVale started well and went close in the 3
Vale to have the better of the play, without threatening the home defence too much, but the home side went close to getting their noses front on 15 minutes.
Anthony de Freitas gave away a corner, and when George Francomb’s flag kick came in from the Vale right, Tom Elliott rose head and shoulders above everybody, but could only head over the crossbar from close range.
With Ryan Taylor down injured, the home side almost took advantage, building down their left, but when the ball came back to Jake Reeves just outside the Vale area, he fired not only over the bar but over the stand roof.
Then moments later Vale looked to be in trouble when Lyle Taylor found himself in space inside the Vale box, but his powerful drive was saved by Jak Alnwick, at the expense of a corner.
minute, allowing Lyle Taylor another shot from the edge of the box. The ball looked to be heading for Alnwick’s top left hand corner, but the Vale ‘keeper sprang into action, leaping to his left to push the ball over his crossbar.thVal were opened up again in the 27
Alnwick was called into action once again just seconds later, this time stretching to touch a fierce effort from Dom Poleon over the bar.
minute the home side went close again when the ball fell to former Vale defender Chris Robertson, but he fired straight at Alnwick, allowing the Vale ‘keeper to make the save.rdVale were looking like they may have ridden the storm, but in the 33
Vale finally gave Dons’ ‘keeper James Shea something to do in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Ryan Taylor’s 25 yard free kick was comfortably saved.
Despite not being able to stick any of their first half chances away, Wimbledon came out for the second half with their tails up and Vale were soon on the back foot again.
GOAL: to beat Alnwick to put the home side in front.PoleonDomEight minutes after the re-start their endeavour finally paid off when Vale again failed to deal with a cross, allowing
Vale were being opened up much to easily and the home side looked like they may add a second goal at any time.
GOAL: nodded home from close range.Tom ElliottSure enough, on 58 minutes the Dons’ doubled their lead when a corner kick was whipped in from the left and
Vale made a change moments later when Paulo Tavares left the action to be replaces in the middle of the park by Quentin Pereira.
minute Nathn Smith beat the ‘keeper only for the ball to come back off the crossbar, hit the ‘keeper on the back, but Shea was able to turn quickly and prevent the ball from rolling over the line,thTypical of Vale’s luck, in the 66
minute when Sam Hart came off the bench to replace Sebastien Amoros in the Vale midfield.thVale made a second change in the 76
GOAL: got up to meet a corner from the left to head home from close range.Chris Robertson minute Vale were hit further when former Vale defender th And in the 89GOAL:
minute to put away goal number three for the home side, it just rubbed further salt in Vale’s wounds.
th turned sharply in the 85Tyrone BarnettWhen Dons’ substitute
AFC WIMBLEDON Miguel Santos, Sam Hart, Quentin Pereira, Calvin Mac_Intosch, Martin Patersonm Chris Mbamba, Kjell Knops.SUBS: Jak Alnwick, Ryan Taylor, Remie Streete, Nathan Smith, Kiko, Sebastien Amoros, Anthony de Freitas, Paulo Tavares, Sam Kelly, Alex Jones, Rigino Cicilia. PORT VALE:
Joe McDonnell, Tom Beere, Andy Barcham, Dean Parrett, Tyrone Barnett, Alfie Egan, Seth Evans.
SUBS:: James Shea, Barry Fuller, Sean Kelly, Paul Robinson, Chris Robertson, George Francomb, Jake Reeves, Dannie Bulman, Dom Poleon, Tom Elliott, Lyle Taylor.