Portsmouth 2-2 Port Vale – a tale of two keepers and two halves at Fratton Park…
The Valiants let a two goal half-time lead slip as Pompey mounted a second-half comeback at Fratton Park.
A first-half of contrasting goalkeeping fortunes saw Vale took a two goal lead through Matty Taylor and Funso Ojo, the second after a calamitous keeping error, and saw Valiants goalkeeper Aidan Stone save a penalty. However, a second-half comeback from the home side saw them net twice in three minutes as it ended 2-2.
Manager Darrell Clarke made just one change from the side defeated at Burton with Sammy Robinson selected to replace the injured Will Forrester in defence.
The Valiants started strongly with their high pressing style worrying the home side’s defence. The first goal came on eight minutes when Matty Taylor was first to react in the box and slotted the ball home from close range for his second goal in Vale colours. Taylor had another half chance minutes later but Vale stretched their lead on 39 minutes when Taylor charged down a goalkeeping clearance. The ball found Funso Ojo, outside of the box, and he kept his cool to find the back of the net.
There was still time for further first-half drama as the ref gave a penalty for a Nathan Smith push in the box. However, Stone comfortably saved Bishop’s penalty kick to give Vale a two goal lead at the break.
Half-time: Portsmouth 0-2 Port Vale
However, it was a different story in the second-half as Pompey, prompted by sub Tom Lowery, came back into the game. Fellow sub Michael Jacobs was first to threaten as he beat a static Vale defence only to spoon his shot well over the bar. Portsmouth finally hit the target on 65 minutes when they were awarded a second penalty after a Harrison foul in the box. This time Bishop made no mistake with his low drive beating Stone. Three minutes later it was all-square when poor defending by the Valiants allowed Jacobs to hit the target from close range.
Portsmouth were still looking shaky at the back with keeper Macey having a nervous game in contrast to Aidan Stone in the Vale goal. There was still time for late drama in an entertaining game. Firstly, a mis-communication saw Sammy Robinson almost find his own net with a header only for Stone to make a crucial save. Then in the closing moments, a stunning save from Stone denied Hackett a winning goal.
It will be disappointing for the Valiants to let a two goal slip but this was still a good performance and a more than useful away point at one of the division’s more intimidating away grounds.
Full-time: Portsmouth 2-2 Port Vale
Vale performance notes
This was an encouraging performance from the whole side. Captain Tom Conlon enjoyed a good first-half, Mal Benning made an impact while Sam Robinson generally did well alongside Smith and Donnelly. Harrison and Taylor were a constant pest upfront and Tom Pett was as busy as always. However, I was particularly impressed with the contributions of Dave Worrall, Funso Ojo and the much maligned Aidan Stone who made some crucial saves.
Vale performance stats
Vale: Stone – Robinson, Smith, Donnelly – Worrall (Massey), Pett, Ojo, Conlon (Butterworth), Benning – Taylor (Wilson), Harrison (Proctor)
Subs: Stevens, Politic, Agyakwa
Vale bookings: Donnelly, Robinson, Smith, Proctor, Benning
Vale goals: Taylor (8), Ojo (39)
Attendance: 18,046 (795 visitors)