Ten-men Valiants secure a hard-fought point against Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium.
George Byers was shown a straight red-card after just fifteen minutes after a strong tackle on Charlie Webster in the middle of the pitch. Both sides had chances to take all three points but both defences held firm to ensure the game ended in a stalemate.
Darren Moore made one change to his side that drew with Cardiff City in our last league fixture nine days ago. Cameron Humphreys had recovered from the illness that saw him miss last Thursday’s fixture and so he came in to replace Kyle John at centre back.
Vale, who were attacking a sold out away end, started brightly and had the game’s first half chance in the fourth minute as Mitch Clark’s header was just out of the reach of Lorent Tolaj who looked to divert the ball goal bound.
Minutes later, Vale countered off the back of a Burton throw in. Ronan Curtis drove forward and found Ryan Croasdale down the right side, The Vale midfielder then crossed towards Curtis who had continued his run, but his volley was blocked by Lorent Tolaj who couldn’t get out of the way in time.
In the tenth minute Marko Marosi was called into action when he made a comfortable save following Jasper Moon’s header at the back post.
After a quarter of an hour the Vale were reduced to ten men when George Byers was shown a straight red card for a strong challenge on Charlie Webster on the edge of the Brewers box. The Vale skipper looked to get some of the ball, but the referee showed no hesitation before giving Byers his marching orders much to the bemusement of most of the Pirelli Stadium.
Despite going a man down Vale reacted well and came close to taking the lead. Lorent Tolaj spotted the run of Connor Hall down the left side, as the vale defender got into the box, he unleashed a venomous effort that whistled over the crossbar.
Just after the half hour mark the hosts had an excellent opportunity to take the lead. A long throw-in from the right wasn’t cleared and it eventually fell to Finn Delap who flashed an effort across the face of goal from the right side of the box.
After just 45 seconds of the restart Vale had the halves first effort as a long goal kick fell kindly to Tolaj who dragged his effort wide from just outside the area.
After a slow start to the second half, the hosts came close to the opener in the 65th minute when Jake Beesley glanced a header wide following Kyran Lofthouse’s out-swinging cross from the right side. Beesley came close again five minutes later when he headed wide following Sebastian Revan’s cross from the left.
The game had really opened up and chances were flowing for both sides. In the 72nd minute Mitch Clark’s pinpoint delivery found Ronan Curtis who headed agonisingly wide at the back post.
Soon after, A well worked free kick from the left allowed Revan time and space to cross towards Lofthouse at the back post but his header sailed over Marosi’s crossbar.
With ten minutes to go the hosts almost made their man advantage count as Lofthouse’s cross fell to Tyreese Shade at the back-post who chested the ball down and fired a low effort towards goal that was turned around the post by an excellent save down low by Marosi.
Due to an incident in the crowd, the referee indicated eleven minutes of added time. In the 96th minute Vale almost snatched all three points when Jesse Debrah headed just wide from six yards out following Mo Faal’s header back across goal.
Two minutes later Vale had Marosi to thank once again has he rushed off his line to prevent Jake Beesley from winning the game with a superb save from point blank range. Beesley had another opportunity in the 11th minute of added time but he headed over from close range.
TEAM NEWS:
Burton Albion: Jordan Amissah, Jack Armer, Kegs Chauke, Toby Sibbick, JJ McKiernan (Julian Larsson 76’), Charlie Webster (Dylan Williams 90+5’), Jake Beesley ©, Fabio Tavares (Tyrese Shade 76’), Kyran Lofthouse, Jasper Moon, Finn Delap (Sebastian Revan 45’)
Subs not used: Harry Isted, Jason Sraha, Ciaran Gilligan.
Port Vale: Marko Marosi, Mitch Clark, Connor Hall, George Byers ©, Lorent Tolaj (Mo Faal 85’), Ronan Curtis (Ben Waine 73’), Funso Ojo (Jordan Shipley 90+5’), Liam Gordon (Kyle John 85’), Ryan Croasdale, Jesse Debrah, Cameron Humphreys.
Subs not used: Joe Gauci, Ben Heneghan, Jayden Stockley.
Attendance: 4,404 (1,630 visiting supporters)