MATCH REPORT: Port Vale v Leyton Orient
At Vale Park
League One
Port Vale v Leyton Orient
Attendance: 4,773 including 324 visiting supporters
Saturday 24th October 2014
Vale made it ten points out of twelve at home since Rob Page took over as interim manager and Vale kept a clean sheet for the first time this season as they saw off ten-man Leyton Orient.
The visitors had Darius Henderson sent off in the first half, but that can't be described as a turning point in the game as Vale had already been the better of the two sides in the opening half hour.
Vale's three goals all came in the second half, with Adam Yates lifting the ball into the roof of the net for the opener, and Ben Williamson doubled the advantage just three minutes later.
By the time Nathan Clarke put the ball into his own net in the 79thminute, Vale were already assured of the three well-deserved points.
Page made two changes for the visit of Leyton Orient – a side with an enviable away record this season – one of them being enforced.
Tom Pope was ruled out with an injury, though Vale are still waiting to hear the extend of the injury. Jordan Slew came in as a replacement for him.
The other change was the inclusion of Chris Birchall, who scored in midweek. He came in for Louis Dodds, who had to settle for a place on the bench.
Vale began brightly enough, forcing the visitors to defend deeply in the opening fifteen minutes, without getting a breakthrough.
The fact that the Orient ‘keeper had little to so was partly down to the visitors’ defending, but also down to the Val being unable to hit the target.
Vale were not having things all their own way, but they looked organised at the back and when Orient threatened they defended as a unit to eliminate the threat.
When needed, winger Mark Marshall was more than willing to do his bit, dropping back into defence to help out his team mates.
Vale went close to opening the scoring when McGivern’s effort was stopped on the line and Williamson’s attempt to follow up from a tight angle didn’t have enough pace on it and the visitors were able to clear.
Just seconds later Vale went even closer when Chris Lines was denied by the upright as Vale began to look even more threatening.
There were a few concerns about defender Richard Duffy when they Vale defender stayed down injured after a clash with Darius Henderson in the 30thminute, but thankfully he was able to continue after treatment.
Henderson, for the part he played in things, received a straight red card and left the field of play with the home crowd showing exactly what they thought of him.
With half time fast approaching Vale went close again. Mark Marshall pulled the ball inside for Jordan Slew on the edge of the box, he turned sharply to shoot but Orient defender Jobi McAnuff cleared off the line.
Vale made two changes at the beginning of the second half – on came Remie Streete for Carl Dickinson and Jordan Slew was replaced by Dany N’Guessan.
Chris Birchall went close, heading wide in the 54thminute as Vale began to look lively again, hoping their numerical advantage would make the difference.
How things were going it looked like it would be just a matter of when, not if, Vale would go in front, as they attacked at every opportunity.
Ben Williamson was denied when the ball was blocked on the line, following some impressive footwork by Mark Marshall.
GOAL: The breakthrough finally came in the 63rdminute after Marshall squared the ball inside to ADAM YATES, and the defender fired into the roof of the net from 15 yards.
GOAL: Three minutes later Vale doubled their lead when BEN WILLIAMSON smashed the ball home from 12 yards, giving the home side a two-goal cushion they looked unlikely to relinquish.
minute.thThere didn't seem to be any doubt about the result at this stage, but if there was, that was soon over when Vale extended their lead further in the 79
, who, to the delight of the Vale players and supporters alike turned the ball past his own 'keeper for an own goal.Nathan Clarke Michael O'Connor's free into the box was aimed for N'Guessan, who was putting pressure on GOAL:
Sam Johnson, Louis Dodds, Colin Daniel, Michael Brown, Frederic Veseli, Remie Streete, Dany N'Guessan.SUBS: Chris Neal, Adam Yates, Carl Dickinson, Ryan McGivern, Richard Duffy, Chris Birchall, Ben Wiliamson, Chris Lines, Michael O'Connor, Mark Marshall, Jordan Slew. PORT VALE:
Dean Cox, Shaun Batt, Harry Lee, Bradley Pritchard, Scott Kashket, Charlie Grainger, Sam LingSUBS: Gary Woods, Elliott Omozusi, Scott Cuthbert, Mathieu Baudrey, Jobi McAnuff, Shane Lowry, Nathan Clarke, Marvin Bartley, Chris Dagnall, Darius Henderson, Jay Simpson. LEYTON ORIENT:
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There will be a full match report on the official website moments after the final whistle, with player and manager interviews to come later.
A match gallery (photos courtesy of Gerard Austin) will also appear on the site soon.