REPORT: Vale v Fleetwood
Port Vale v Fleetwood Town
November 2016thSaturday 12
At Vale Park
League One
Attendance 3,890 including 112 visiting supporters
There was plenty of drama at Vale Park as the Valiants came from behind to take all three points and reclaim a place in the play-offs with a 2-1 victory over Fleetwood Town.
minute, but Vale were given a lifeline when substitute Rigino Cicilia levelled with fifteen minutes remaining.rdChris Long put the visitors in front in the 53
Seven minutes later Vale got their noses in front when Alex Jones grabbed his ninth goal in Vale colours after returning from injury.
minute when Anthony Grant and Fleetwood’s Chris Long were both red-carded – Grant for a second yellow card offence.thVale were then reduced to ten men when there was a double sending off in the 88
Vale made six changes from the side who performed at Doncaster in midweek when the Valiants crashed out of the Checkatrade Trophy, despite winning the penalty shoot-out.
The big talking point centred on the re-emergence of Alex Jones, back in the Vale side after missing the last four games due to injury.
He was back in the Vale starting eleven hoping to carry on where he left off, after hitting eight goals to become the Valiants’ top goal-scorer since joining on loan from Birmingham City.
The visitors began the game on the front foot and threatened when Hunter was able to get a shot in from outside the box, but it failed to trouble Jak Alnwick, sailing high over the crossbar.
Vale took a few minutes to settle in to the game, but before long it was the home side looking dangerous and Vale went close when Remie Streete rose to meet a cross from Ryan Taylor, but the Vale defender’s header was deflected wide for a corner kick.
Vale continued to make an impression at the top end of the pitch, though former Vale custodian, who had been given a great reception before kick-off, had little to do.
minute when the visitors almost took full advantage when Nathan Smith lost his footing out on the Vale left.thVale had ‘keeper Jak ALnwick to thank for keeping the scores leven in the 28
Chris Long was able to skip past the Vale defender, get to the byeline and send a low cross into the box, where the ball was met byKyle Dempsey 8 yards from goal.
The Fleetwood man hit a first time shot, but Alnwick had read the situation, coming off his line sharply to make the block, thus averting the danger.
The visitors clearly hadn’t come to settle for a single point and they, as did Vale, looked dangerous at times and it looked just a matter of time before a goal would transpire, but at which end?
In fairness to Uwe Rosler’s side, Fleetwood were creating the better of the chances and will have thought themselves a tad unfortunate not to have gone in at half time with the lead.
minute.rdThe visitors started the second half brightly, taking the game to the Vale, and they were rewarded when they took the lead in the 53
GOAL: to sweep the ball past Alnwick from close range.Chris LongDevante Cole peeled off at the back post and nodded down for
Vale made their first substitution on the hour when Rigino Cicilia came off the bench, with Martin Paterson making was for the Dutchman.
minute with Kiko taking his place.thThere was a lull in the game when Sam Hart needed treatment after going down inside the Vale box. He was unable to recover sufficiently and was substituted in the 66
minute when Vale drew level.thVale kept plugging away but it looking increasingly unlikely that an equaliser would come, but everybody was proved wrong in the 75
GOAL to apply the finishing touches.RIGINO CICILIA: Sam Kelly switched play to the left, knocking the ball out wide for Jerome Thomas and his low cross was stabbed into the box for
minute, sending on Quentin Pereira for Sam Kelly, with Vale hoping a pair of fresh legs might make the difference late on in the game.ndBruno Ribeiro made his third change in the 82
minutes Vale Park erupted as the Valiants finally edged in front.thPereira’s cross-come shot just moments later whizzed just inches past the post, but in the 86
GOAL:. The striker’s first attempt was blocked by Chris Neal, but the striker followed up to net his ninth goal of the season.ALEX JONESThomas weaved his magic with a byeline-hugging run, pulling the ball back for
Two minutes later both sides were reduced to ten men after a scuffle broke out just outside the Vale box. Chris Long was given his marching orders, the Anthony Grant was shown a yellow, the a red card, and he followed Long off the pitch.
PORT VALE: Calvin Mac-Intoasch, Regino Cicilia, Chris Mbamba, Kiko, Quentin Pereira, Miguel Santos, Anthony de Freitas.SUBS: Jak Alnwick, Remie Streete, Sam Kelly, Paulo Tavares, Martin Paterson, Jerome Thomas, Nathan Smith, Alex Jones, Ryan Taylor, Anthony Grant, Sam Hart.
FLEETWOOD TOWN: Ashley Eastham, Aaron Amadi Holloway, David Ball, Victor Nirennold, George Glendon, Alex Cairns, Jack SowerbySUBS: Chris Neal, Amari Bell, Nathan Pond, James Ryan, Robert Grant, Cian Bolger, Chris Long, Ashley Hunter, Kyle Dempsey, Elohor Godswill Ekpolo, Devante Cole.