Match Report from Vale Park
PORT VALE: Adam Yates, Louis Dodds, Kingsley James, Darren Murphy, Ryan Burge, Clayton McDonald, Joe Davis, Sam Johnson, Ryan LloydSUBS:Chris Neal: Richard Duffy, John McCombe, Gareth Owen, Doug Loft, Jennison Myrie-Williams, Sam Morsy, Ashley Vincent, Chris Shuker, Tom Pope, Ben Williamson.
TRANMERE ROVERS: Ash Taylor, Joe Thompson, James Wallace, Danny Harrison, Jason Mooney, Jake Kirkby, Cole Stockton, Michael KaySUBS:Owain Fon Williams, Danny Holmes, Will Vaulks, Mark McChrystal, Ian Goodison, Liam Palmer, Abdulai Bell-Baggio, Max Power, Jake Cassidy, Andy Robinson, Balint Bajner.
After all of the doom and gloom of the past few days came a glimmer of hope with the announcement that, despite Dave Artell deciding to leave the club, all the other players have now signed their contracts.
It has been a worrying time for all concerned and not leaset fro Manager Micky Adams, who was unsure which players he would be able to select for the opening match of the season. Thankfully that has now been settled.
Vale lined up for their final pre-season match with Tranmere Rovers from League One providing the opposition.
Tome Pope could have given Vale an early lead when his header after forty five seconds narrowly missed the target.
minute, with Pope playing a big part in the goal.thVale were doing well against strong opposition and managed to go in front in the 17
He initially looked to have run the ball out of play, but the burly striker refused to give up, pulling the ball back to where Rovers defender Ian Goodison could only turn the ball into his own net.
Two minutes later Vale made a substitution when central defender Gareth Owen was forced off and replaced by Joe Davis.
Former Vale loanee Abdulai Bell-Baggio taunted the Vale defence at times with quick feet, but the visitors rarely troubled Vale ‘keeper Chris Neal.
A slip by John McCombe allowed Jake Cassidy a run at goal, but he could only manage to hit the side-netting with Neal well placed had he been on target.
Chris Neal didn’t have an awful lot to do, but that was down to a hard working performance from a Vale side who at times were asked questions by the visitors.
Vale made three changes at the beginning of the second half. Doug Loft, Chris Shuker and Ashley Vincent being replaced by Adam Yates, Louis Dodds and Ryan Burge.
Vale played some neat football in the early stages of the second half and both Ben Williamson and Louis Dodds went close to adding a second goal for the home side.
Tranmere continued to cause Vale problems, but there were a lot of positives to give Vale fans hope for the new season commencing on Tuesday.
Vale made further three substitutions on 72 minutes. Clayton McDonald, Kingsley James and Ryan Lloyd coming on for John McCombe, Ben Williamson and Richard Duffy.
The Vale defence was finally breached just three minutes later when Tranmere substitute Cole Stockton drove low inside Neal’s right hand post from the edge of the 18 yard box.
minute, replacing Sam Morsy with Darren Murphy.thMicky Adams made his eight change of the afternoon in the 79
Although the game wasn’t played at full tempo, it was a good workout for the lads ahead of the new season. The real thing starts against Burnley.