MATCH REPORT: Vale v Bolton Wanderers

Report form Vale Park

Vale were beaten for the first time in pre-season with Championship outfit Bolton Wanderers sealing the victory with a peach of a goal from Jermaine Beckford.

Matt Mills had put the visitors ahead with an early goal and although Vale pulled a goal back with six minutes remaining, their unbeaten pre-season record finally came to an end.

August.^thThere were no clues in Micky Adams’ team selection as to what his starting eleven would be when Vale face Walsall in their League opener on 9

There was, however, a first start for Frederic Veseli who joined the Valiants on loan from Ipswich earlier in the week.

GOAL: found space to head home a right wing corner from close range.MATT MILLS minute when ^thBolton went ahead as early as the 6

Vale went close to a quick equaliser when Chris Birchall put the ball in for Chris Lines just inside the box, but the Vale midfielder was denied by Trotters’ ‘keeper Andy Lonergan, who dived sharply to his left to make a one-handed save.

Sam Johnson made s similar save at the other end to keep the visitors out, but there was little to separate the two sides in the opening stages, other than the goal.

Michael O’Connor almost levelled from 25 yards with a rasping drive, but again Lonergan saved, this time managing to push the ball around his left upright for a Vale corner.

Vale were having plenty of the ball but did very little to worry the Championship side in the final third.

But in first half stoppage time Lonergan was called into action again, getting his fingernails to an effort from Michael O’Connor, getting the slightest of touches to turn the ball over his crossbar.

Vale made wholesale changes for the second half. On came Chris Neal, Adam Yates, Richard Duffy, Steve Jennings, Louis Dodds, Tom Pope, Colin Daniel and Ryan Lloyd.

They replaced Sam Johnson, Frederic Veseli, Ryan McGivern, Michael Brown, Chris Lines, Chris Birchall, Ben Wiliamson and Mark Marshall.

Steve Jennings zipped a 25 yard shot just over the bar early on in the second half and although Vale didn’t test the Bolton ‘keeper too often, again they were having their fair share of the ball.

Tom Pope and Louis Dodds combine with the latter a little unfortunate to see his volley deflected for a corner kick as Vale began to get the better of things.

GOAL: beat Chris Neal from 25 yards with a screamer worthy of winning any match.BECKFORD minute when substitute Jermaine ^thThe visitors sealed the win with a second goal in the 77

GOAL:, who steered the ball back across the goal and inside Lonergan’s left hand post.TOM POPE minute when Michael O’Connor’s cross from the right was met by the head of ^thVale pulled a goal back in the 84

Vale were unfortunate not to level the scored in stoppage time when a Louis Dodds volley was saved in style by Lonergan.

PORT Chris Neal, Adam Yates, Richard Duffy, Steve Jennings, Louis Dodds, Tom Pope, Colin Daniel, Ryan Lloyd, Ryan Boot, Nathan Smith SUBS: Sam Johnson, Frederic Veseli, Chris Robertson, Ryan McGivern, Carl Dickinson, Michael Brown, Michael O’Connor, Chris Lines, Chris Birchall, Ben Williamson, Mark Marshall.  VALE:

BOLTON WANDERERS: Ross Fitzsimons, Kevin McNaughton, Jay Spearing, Oscar Threlkend, Darren Pratley, Jermaine Beckford, Nail Danns, Andy Hughes, Zack Clough, Ryan Sellers, David Wheater, Robert Hall. SUBS:Andy Lonergan, Tim Ream, Dean Moxey, Matt Mills, Dorian Dervite, Medo Kamara, Liam Feeney, Chung Yong Lee, Mark Davies, Craig Davies, Conor Wilkinson.