Match report: Port Vale 1-1 Forest Green Rovers
Port Vale 1-1 Forest Green Rovers: Port Vale had to settle for a second successive home draw as their game with Forest Green Rovers finished 1-1 on Tuesday evening.
Manager John Askey made two changes from the side which drew on Saturday, bringing in veteran Tom Pope and midfielder Scott Burgess.
It was a first-half where both sides had spells on top. Vale started well and created chances for Tom Conlon and Tom Pope before Rovers countered with Aaron Collins heading over when unmarked.
Vale’s wing men were both looking impressive. Alex Hurst did well to break clear on 28 minutes but he put his shot over the bar. On the opposite flank, Devante Rodney was threatening with his pace and power. On 35 minutes, Rodney’s assist put Vale ahead. Zak Mills fed the forward and his cross found Tom Pope whose effort was deflected in off Stokes.
However, once again Vale were unable to hold on to their lead for long. Rovers broke though Aaron Collins and he beat Leon Legge before finding the net with a fine curling effort.
In the second-half, the first chance came to Vale on 50 minutes when good work from Rodney and Hurst allowed Scott Burgess to burst into the box but his shot rattled the woodwork. The opposition then started to threaten with a free-kick and several chances created from the dangerous Cadden which Port Vale did well to defend.
On 73 minutes, Cadden’s shot was saved well by Brown and the veteran did brilliantly to save the rebound. Vale were next to threaten when sub David Amoo was played in by Scott Burgess but his shot went just wide. The Valiants went close again on 80 minutes when Conlon’s free-kick was met by Legge but the keeper saved bravely. Another chance came as Tom Conlon ran into the box and the ball fell to Burgess but his shot went wide.
As the game reached the closing stages, it was the visitors who pressed and in such an even game it was perhaps correct that it finished as a draw. It had been an entertaining game with Hurst and Rodney both impressive in the first-half, Tom Pope leading the line well and Tom Conlon impressing in central midfield.
The Valiants will be disappointed at more dropped points but they continue to miss chances and are vulnerable at the back – and both need to be rectified if John Askey’s side are to rise up the League Table.
Port Vale: Brown – Mills, Legge, Smith, Fitzpatrick – Joyce, Burgess, Conlon – Hurst (Amoo), Pope, Rodney
Subs: Visser, Brisley, Whitehead, Robinson, McKirdy, Clark