Port Vale remain top of Sky Bet League Two following a 1-1 draw with Crewe Alexandra at Vale Park
The game had an electric feel from kick off and the Valiants took the lead just two minutes in. A looped cross from Vale’s right-hand side by Rico Richards found Jack Shorrock eighteen yards out. The youngster let fly on the volley and the ball sailed into the top left corner beating Filip Marschall in the Crewe goal.
Vale came close to doubling their lead approaching the twenty-minute mark. A quick counter led by Ryan Croasdale resulted in Brandon Cover being released down the right side. His cross was headed goalwards by Croasdale and after a scramble between Richards and the Crewe defender, the ball deflected behind for a Vale corner which came to nothing.
Crewe had a good chance to get back on level terms twenty-five minutes in. An in-swinging corner from the right was met by Max Conway, but his attempted header went comfortably over the bar.
Darren Moore’s side continued to push for a second and were almost rewarded moments later. Vale triggered the high press and Ethan Chislett won the ball back on the edge of the Crewe box and played in Rico Richards. His low effort went agonisingly wide of the post with Marschall beaten.
The first half came to a close with Jack Shorrock’s superb effort two minutes in being the only difference between the two sides.
Half-Time: Port Vale 1-0 Crewe Alexandra
Three minutes into the second half Vale were reduced to ten men when Rekeem Harper received his second yellow card of the game following a late challenge.
Crewe started to gain some control following Harper's dismissal and almost got their equaliser. The ball came to Matus Holicek following a cross from Crewe’s left side. Holicek took aim from eighteen yards out, but his effort curled just wide of Ripley’s post.
It was Holicek causing issues once again around the edge of the box on the hour mark. The ball fell kindly to the midfielder who struck a first-time shot, but again his effort went inches wide of the post.
The visitors continued to push for an equaliser and created a whole host of chances. The best one of these came through Ryan Cooney with 78 minutes gone. Cooney tried his luck from the right-hand side of the penalty box, but his effort was parried over the crossbar by Connor Ripley in the Vale goal.
Crewe got their equaliser two minutes into injury time when Adrian Thibaut worked the ball well down Crewe’s left side, and he managed to get the ball into the box. The ball was met and prodded home by the oncoming Jack Lankester leaving Connor Ripley with no chance.
Full-Time: Port Vale 1-1 Crewe Alexandra
Port Vale Starting XI: Connor Ripley, Connor Hall, Jayden Stockley (Antwoine Hackford 58’), Ethan Chislett (Jason Lowe 94’), Ryan Croasdale, Tom Sang, Jack Shorrock (Ben Heneghan 58’), Rico Richards (Ronan Curtis 58’), Brandon Cover, Sam Hart, Rekeem Harper
Unused Substitutes: Ben Amos, Ruari Paton, Benicio
Crewe Alexandra starting XI: Filip Marschall, Ryan Cooney, Zac Williams (Jack Powell 82’), Mickey Demetriou, Max Sanders, Omar Bogle (Jack Lankester, 58’), Shilow Tracey, Joel Tabiner, Matus Holicek (Adrien Thibaut 69’), James Connolly, Max Conway
Unused Substitutes: Tom Booth, Jamie Knight-Lebel, Owen Lunt, Kian Breckin
Author: Reuben Morris- UCFB
