Port Vale 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers report – relegation draws ever closer after home defeat
It may not be mathematically confirmed yet, but all the signs suggest that this loss against Wycombe Wanderers has put another major dent in Port Vale’s hopes of avoiding relegation from League One. Here’s our match report…
Team news
Youngsters Baylee Dipepa and James Plant were both ruled out with injury which meant another start for Ryan Loft alongside Uche Ikpeazu. Recent signing Deklan Wynne was named on the bench alongside loanee Kasper Lopata.
First-half
With hopes of staying up fading, the last thing Port Vale needed was a poor start. You can guess the rest…
In the first minute of the game, Alex Iacovitti put Nathan Smith into trouble with a bad pass, Smith lost control and Dale Taylor should really have scored a first minute goal. However, it only took three minutes before the visitors did score. Ripley produced a brilliant save from Vokes but Wheeler slammed the loose ball home.
It was a dreadful start for Darren Moore’s side and Wheeler nearly made it two as Grant and Iacovitti gave him the freedom of Vale Park.
To their credit, Vale did rally with volleys from Loft and Chislett both producing fine saves from the Wycombe goalkeeper. However, despite that pressure, Wycombe came close to a second with Ripley saving well from Leahy. There was an early change for Vale with Walters replacing an injured Sang.
One-nil down at the break, Vale now faced a huge task to keep their season alive in the second forty five…
Half-time: Port Vale 0-1 Wycombe Wanderers
Second-half
With their chances of survival decreasing, Vale did at least get off to a good start in the second-half. It was Ethan Chislett’s 47th minute drive which levelled affairs – the midfielder’s eleventh of the season.
However, Chislett had to be replaced on the hour mark and despite attempts by Loft and sub Weir, Vale were unable to take command of the game and build a the lead.
A draw would probably not have been enough for the Valiants but with five minutes to go, Wycombe got a second goal through Lonwijk as the visitors secured all three points. Vale were infuriated that the player was offside but the officials waved away appeals.
Port Vale’s future in League One now looks set to end barring a near-miracle in the final couple of games.
Full-time: Port Vale 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers
Closing thoughts
Well, the fat lady may not be signing but she’s reaching the end of her warm-up exercises. In other Vale news, CEO Matt Hancock said there would be a full review of the football side of the club at the end of the season. I doubt any supporter would disagree.
Whether it’s the fault of Flitcroft, Shanahan, Crosby, Moore, the players, or perhaps a combination of all five, this has been a disastrous season for the club. With attention starting to shift to a summer rebuild it’s vital that Vale have a successful transfer window and that they have a squad clear-out, something made more difficult by the sheer number of long-term contracts.
There is much to ponder and much to correct.
Match stats
Port Vale: Ripley – Debrah, Smith, Iacovitti – Sang (Walters), Ojo, Garrity, Grant – Chislett (Weir) – Loft, Ikpeazu
Unused subs: Leutwiler, Lopata, Wynne, Shorrock, Massey
Vale bookings: Ikpeazu
Vale goals: Chislett (47)
Attendance: 4,029 (122 visitors)
David Brown
16th April 2024 @ 10:30 pm
Three consecutive defeats, 9 goals conceded, and zero points from back to back home games against mid table opponents, all just at the precise time when there was still a fighting chance to avoid relegation. Unfortunately it all spells free fall to relegation, as a nightmare season comes to its conclusion. The dwindling home gate of 4.029 surely a sign of things to come for the hard core loyalists.
RON
17th April 2024 @ 7:07 am
Relegation almost certain and without sounding all doom and gloom looks like a long time in lge 2 is on the horizon with the current squad and manager also Reading the financial report there does not appear to be any money to buy and to ask the fans to pay lge 1 prices for lge 2 football is ridiculous we had mote hope under Clarke Cosby and Colin Garlick looking after the pennies
Phil Yeomans
17th April 2024 @ 7:28 am
The expectation that these players could achieve saving the club from relegation months ago was hard to believe they lack both the effort and ability. We have young players who need to develop and probably only Ripley and Garrity with any professional pride. It’s hard to understand with the football knowledge in and around the club why advice wasn’t sought and if it was why it wasn’t followed. A plan to what inevitably league two holds for the manager, inadequate contracted players, future recruitment is needed and relayed to fans. The football aspect has been overlooked at a cost.
Nick
17th April 2024 @ 7:30 am
We have the potential to be a comfortable Championship club. Our current plight is the result of too many bad decisions in a short space of time.
A major reset and rebuild is needed over the summer.
We can do far better than this. We deserve better than this!
God 1
17th April 2024 @ 10:13 am
We cannot blame our current manager he has to play what he’s been left with,we are poor in defence and have no forwards who can score goals without naming players they know who they are.lets hope our manager can come up with a side that can score goals,we have a few good individuals but unfortunately that doesn’t make a team
Time for a change
Ken from North Wales
17th April 2024 @ 11:09 am
The main problem in the summer is so many players still under contract. Leaves little room for decent Signings to come in. Maybe be better for some our academy lads to show their abilities but div 2 is no place for faint hearts. Ho for a skipper like the great Johnny Nick.
marlowe
17th April 2024 @ 4:44 pm
do not keep moore on, he was an utter disaster at hillsborough, at ‘uddersfield, now has sunk you.
he has just one idea, he cannot alter a game with his substitutions, only changing the personnel he stays on with flogging the same dead horse.
his insistence of playing ball across your own area is staggeringly stupid, i’ve seen us with 65% of play, make 500 + passes and have THREE shots on goal in 90+ minutes.
IT WAS DIRE. it is hard to describe a level of football he is capable of management in. it will be interesting where he goes next.
get someone in who will attack your opponents, not who invites them onto you.
Big Phil
18th April 2024 @ 11:09 am
I would start with a clean slate next season. Keep Garrity Ojo. The rest release transfer list and loan out or pay up. Darren Moore is NOT the Manager next season to galvanise a promotion push. He has been in charge for 15 games
Won 2 Drawn 4 Lost 9. 10 points from 15 games. He seems tactically clueless along totally lacking the ability to inspire. MOORE OUT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ian Mountford
19th April 2024 @ 12:33 am
The damage was done before a ball was kicked. Then every decision made after that made the situation worse and worse. I think the final nail in the coffin came when they replaced Crosby with Moore. The fella had won 3 games out of 23, and he’s on course to have a similar record here. As for the owners, if Smurthwaite had delivered two teams like we have had to watch over the last two seasons, left the Railway Paddock with no toilets for 12 months, the somehow declared losses of £3.4 million, there would have been marches every other week. Will we be expected to use the toilets in Burslem park next season to save even more money?