Port Vale v Wrexham

Final Third Development League

Port Vale 0 Wrexham 0

A strong Vale reserve side were held to a goalless draw on the windswept Bycars training pitches this afternoon. Chris Robertson played for an hour and Richard Duffy for the whole game as they both gave solid performances as Micky Adams weighs up his defensive options for Saturdays trip to Wolves.

Chris Birchall, Louis Dodds and Jordan Hugill all staked their claims for a place in Saturday’s starting line-up as well.

minute a cross from Cheye Alexander, recently returned from a loan spell at Ilkeston Town, found the head of Hugill but he failed to find the target.^thIn the 8

minute Dodds sprayed the ball out to Birchall on the right and he did well before sending over a cross that Ryan Lloyd knocked down for Gary O’Neill, who fired goalwards only for a defender the block the shot.^thKyle Parle had the next effort for Wrexham, shooting wide of the mark. In the 27

minute after a Williams shot had beaten Johnson.^thAfter the interval, Hugill set up Dodds and Birchall in turn but the ball just didn’t run right in the blustery conditions. Kevin Thornton robbed Duffy and laid the ball off to Joe Williams but his subsequent shot flew over the bar. Robertson and Dodds were both replaced after an hour with the former’s replacement, Doug Price, clearing the ball off the line in the 64

Birchall sent over a pinpoint cross to Hugill who headed just over as Vale began to apply more pressure. A good move between Birchall and Alexander saw the latter’s cross hacked clear and then a blistering shot by Wilson Carvalho from 20 yards was just deflected wide for a corner.

minute Vale had their best chance of the game when Hugill found Dell in space in the box with just Joslyn Mayebi to beat but he shot straight at the advancing ‘keeper.^thWith just eight minutes to go Vale sub Dominic Dell laid the ball off to O’Neill, newly returned from a loan spell with Southport, and he fired a 25 yard shot just over the bar. In the 88

Port Vale – Johnson, Alexander, Morris, O’Neill, Robertson (Price 60), Duffy, Birchall, Tambini (Carvalho 70), Hugill, Dodds (Dell 60), Lloyd

Sub not used – Boot

Wrexham – Mayebi, Langley, Parle, Wright, Clowes, Weaver, Bailey-Jones, Williams, Reynolds, Cartwright, Thornton

Subs not used – White, Simpson, Gray

Match Report – Phil Sherwin