Port Vale v York CityAttendance:
At Vale Park
Saturday 17th November 2012
5,388 including 379 visiting supporters
PORT VALE: Chris Neal, Adam Yates, Rob Taylor, John McCombe, Louis Dodds, Jennison Myrie-Williams, Clayton McDonald, Chris Shuker, Tom Pope, Ryan Burge, Richard Duffy.
SUBS: Sam Johnson, Joe Davis, Ben Williamson, Sean McAllister, Kingsley James, Ryan Lloyd.
YORK CITY:Michael Ingham, Lanre Oyebanjo, Chris Smith, Daniel Parslow, Jamie Reed, Ashley Chambers, Jamal Fyfield, Matty Blair, Chris Doig, Danny Kearns, Alex Rodman.
SUBS:Paul Musselwhite, David McGurk, Jason Walker, Michael Potts, Jon Challinor, Clarke Carlisle, Patrick McLaughlin
Vale let a two-goal lead slip for the second home game in a row to allow York City back in the game, meaning Micky Adams’ side had to settle for a share of the points once again.
York were arguably the best side seen at Vale park so far this season and there is no doubt they deserved at least a point out of the game.
Richard Duffy returned from injury to reclaim his place at right back, meaning a switch to the left for Adams Yates, which in turn allowed Rob Taylor to move up to the left wing to take up the position vacated by the suspended Ashley Vincent.
John McCombe returned to the heart of the Vale defence after serving a three-match suspension. Chris Shuker partnered Ryan Burge in midfield, whilst Louis Dodds played in behind Tom Pope.
Although there were chances at either end in the opening few minutes, the visitors were looking more than impressive, and Vale had to defend deep to keep them at bay.
Tom Pope went close with an early header, but the visitors’ defence looked to be coping well with whatever Vale managed to throw at them.
minute.thYork continued to look the more dangerous of the two sides going forward, with Vale making the occasional threat, but it was the Valiants who struck first, scoring the game’s opening goal in the 29
GOAL: slammed the ball into the net for his first ever goal in the Football League.RYAN BURGERichard Duffy played the ball into the box and York ‘keeper managed to keep out a close range effort from Tom Pope, but the ball ran loose and
Vale went in search of a quick second goal but were soon having to defend in numbers as the Minstermen began to peg them back again.
minute when a shot from Chris Shuker was handled inside the box.rdBut the home side were able to double their lead from the penalty spot in the 43
gratefully placed the ball on the spot and slammed home Vale’s second goal.JENNISON MYRIE-WILLIAMSThe decision looked a little harsh from a York point of view, but
The visitors started the first half brightly and again had Vale on the rack for spells, but despite the intensity of York’s attacking play, Vale ‘keeper Chris Neal had little to do.
It was easy to see why Gary Mills’ side had lost on just one occasion away from home in the league this season, as they continued to force Vale onto the back foot.
calmly slotted the ball past Neal from 12 yards.ALEX RODMAN minute when, with Vale appealing in vain for an offside decision, thVale’s resolve was finally broken in the 67
It was no more than the visitors deserved, and they continued in the same vein, pressing for an equaliser with Vale on the rack.
minute, sending on Sane McAllister for his debut in place of Rob Taylor and Ben Williamson for Chris Shuker.thVale made a double substitution in the 74
York weren’t having things all their own way, with Vale mounting the occasional attack and looking dangerous whenever they did, but a five minute spell of pressure failed to produce a third Vale goal, something they were to regret.
minute when Chris Smith nodded down for Jamie Reed, who hammered the ball home from close range.thMuch to Vale’s despair, York finally got the equaliser they deserved in the 88
There was still time for a late Vale assault, and both Tom Pope and Louis Dodds had efforts cleared off the line, but they couldn’t find the goal they craved and had to settle for a single point.