Match Analysis: Colchester 1-0 Port Vale
Get all the post-match reaction from Port Vale’s 1-0 away defeat to Colchester United with our match report, quotes and post-match stats.
Goalkeeper Chris Neal was unfortunate to end on the losing side as he pulled off a fine display of goalkeeping at Colchester’s Community stadium. But it was to avail as Gavin Massey scored a 73rd minute winner for the home side.
Vale made two changes with Liam Chilvers and Richard Duffy coming in for Yates and Myrie-Williams. The Valiants also lined up in their new black away kit.
Colchester had the first chance with Freddie Sears rattling the crossbar on ten minutes. But Vale retaliated with Loft’s drive going just over.
In a lively opening, Vale were then grateful for fine saves by Neal from Massey on twenty minutes and Sears just a few minutes later.
It was goalless at the break and Vale looked somewhat livelier after the break although on seventy minutes the home side should have scored. Instead, there was a superb goal-line clearance from Carl Dickinson to prevent United scoring. But minutes later the home side did take the lead as Massey finally found a way to beat the impressive Neal.
As the game entered the final minutes, Vale brought on attacking options through Hughes, Williamson and Myrie-Williams but Colchester almost doubled their lead only for Neal to thwart Sears.
Despite the subs, Vale had just the two clear-cut chance as substitutes Hughes and Myrie-Williams both went close in the dying minutes but it was too little, too late as their first away trip of the season ended in defeat.
Vale: Neal, Chilvers, Robertson, Dickinson, Duffy, Griffith, Lines, Loft , Jones (Myrie-Williams), Tomlin (Hughes), Pope (Williamson)
Subs: Birchall, Yates, Mohammed, Dodds
Attendance: 3,201 (441 away fans)
“We started off with a system that didn’t work and I’ll put my hand up for that. Obviously I picked the wrong side, but I am really disappointed with the performance. I think that was as poor as I’ve seen us for a while.”
– Micky Adams
“It was an interesting selection by Port Vale. When we saw their team sheet, it took us a little bit by surprise. We expected one or two changes, but he played a pretty defensive team, which was good for us.”
– Joe Dunne