Bristol City 5-0 Port Vale
Carl Dickinson was sent-off during a desperate Port Vale performance that saw their winless away run stretch to nine games.
However, just before half-time, it was game over as some suicidal defending saw Vale conceed three goals in a five minute period…
Micky Adams made one change with Sam Johnson replacing the injured Chris Neal in goal. Youngster Ryan Boot was named on the sub’s bench as Johnson’s deputy.
It was a quiet start until a quarter of an hour into the game when Jay Emmanuel-Thomas‘s shot took a deflection and beat Johnson. It was probably City’s first effort of the game. Vale countered through a corner but Fielding pulled off a good save from Williamson.
However, just before half-time, it was game over as some suicidal defending saw Vale conceed three goals in a five minute period. Roberts made it 2-0 on 41 minutes, terrible defending allowed Baldock to make it 3-0 on 45 minutes and Emmanuel-Thomas doubled his tally through a free-kick just before the break.
Until that awful five minutes, Vale who arguably done reasonably well wthout really testing Fielding but now the side were facing a thrashing. Vale thus made a triple change at the break with Griffith, Yates and Grimmer off and Tomlin, Jones and Robertson on. It meant Duffy switching to right-back, Dickinson and Robertson in central defence and Jones at left-back. Meanwhile, Loft partnered Knott in central midfield with Tomlin wide.
City’s dangerous front pairing of Baldock and Emmanuel-Thomas caused the re-jigged defence problems and Vale’s frustrations boiled over on the hour mark as Dickinson was booked for a foul and then promptly shown a second yellow for dissent. With ten men, Vale now had no chance and that was confirmed as Baldock made it five for the home side.
The home side had chances to stretch their lead as Vale’s defence once again looked not up to League One standard. It was woeful watching for the hardy one hundred Valiants fans who had made the journey to Ashton Gate. After this shambles, it may be a long wait before Vale’s travelling support celebrate another away win.
Stat box
- This was Vale’s heaviest defeat since the 5-0 loss to Swindon Town in April 2012.
- Carl Dickinson joins Dan Jones in being dismissed this season.
- Vale have now lost at Ashton Gate in their last four visits.
- This was City’s biggest win this season.
Vale: Johnson, Yates (Robertson), Grimmer (Jones), Duffy, Dickinson, Myrie-Williams, Griffith (Tomlin), Knott, Loft, Williamson, Pope
Subs: Boot, Birchall, Hugill, Dodds
Attendance: 10,940 (100 away)