Match Analysis: Leyton Orient 3-2 Port Vale
Louis Dodds and Jennison Myrie-Williams scored but Vale were denied at the death as they lost a five goal thriller at the Matchroom stadium.
The Valiants were unlucky to leave without a point after a thrilling five goal game at the Matchroom Stadium.
Micky Adams made two changes to his side with wingers Kaid Mohamed, Jennison Myrie-Williams coming in for Chris Birchall and Ben Williamson.
And the more attacking style looked to have been the right choice as Vale took the lead against table-topping Orient.
A cross caused chaos in the Orient box and Louis Dodds was on hand to score via a diving header.
But the lead was only to last seconds as the home side equalised in controversial circumstances. A goal by Mooney was initially disallowed for offside before the referee and assistant met and after a minute’s discussion decided that the goal should stand. Vale were furious and Micky Adams was spoken to by the ref.
Despite that setback, Vale were looking impressive: Neal was looking faultless in goal, Loft and Griffith were snapping into challenges and Myrie-Williams was causing problems on the flank. The only downside was Mohamed who was struggling to get into the game and track-back. As a result, left-back Carl Dickinson was struggling to cope with attacks down the Orient right flank.
However, Vale were to go into the break 2-1 down as Mooney scored his second.
But the Valiants countered in the second-half and Myrie-Williams acrobatically volleyed in the equaliser.
Vale could even have gone ahead but Myrie-Williams’ free-kick hit the bar and Mohamed also ran through to test keeper Jones.
But all Vale’s good play was to no avail as Lisbie expertly twisted through the Vale backline with two minutes left and scored, giving Neal no chance.
It was tough on a Vale side that had played their part in a thrilling game and for the 432 visiting fans who had made the trip.
Vale: Neal, Duffy, Robertson, Chilvers, Dickinson, Myrie-Williams, Loft, Griffith, Mohamed, Dodds (Williamson), Pope
Attendance: 4,888
Quotes
“I thought our best way was to go out and attack them, which we did. We’ve shown that going forward we will cause teams problems but it doesn’t matter who you play, if you are going to give them three goals to win a game of football then you’ve got no chance yourselves.”
– Micky Adams
“They never gave up, and that was the beauty of it today. We went a goal down but got ourselves in front, against the run of play. For the support to stay behind us when we were one down, and then it was 2-2 to stay with us, everybody’s got their rewards.”
– Russell Slade