Port Vale 1-1 Colchester United – Valiants denied at the death despite Debrah’s header
A second-half goal by substitute Jesse Debrah was not enough as visitors Colchester scored a late equaliser in a match punctuated by some blatant gamesmanship and time wasting by the opposition.
Manager Darren Moore made one change to his Port Vale starting line-up, bringing back Ethan Chislett in favour of Lorent Tolaj, Tolaj was named on a strong bench which featured Ronan Curtis, Ryan Croasdale, Ruari Paton and Jesse Debrah.
In a mostly dour first-half, Vale had the majority of play but were restricted to a couple of long-range efforts – from Byers and Hall – and a handful of headers from Stockley which failed to trouble the goalkeeper.
There was a blow for the Valiants on the half-hour mark when the influential Byers went down – and he was replaced by Ryan Croasdale. There were also a number of Colchester players who went down – one, fair enough, was for a head wound – but the theatrics of forward Tovide, in particular, would have graced a pantomime stage. It brought him the ire of the Vale Park crowd and despite a mammoth nine minutes of added time, the Valiants could not force an opening goal.
Half-time: Port Vale 0-0 Colchester United
Darren Moore made a triple change at the break – bringing on Curtis, Richards and Debrah for Heneghan, who had been booked, Sang and Hackford.
It looked to be more of the same as Richards, who was soon impressing after coming on, fashioned a chance for Stockley which was saved. However, Vale did get the breakthrough on 55 minutes when Jess Debrah headed home from a corner. It was the defender’s first goal of the season.
The visitors belatedly got into the game with some chances late on but Vale still remained in the ascendancy with Curtis and Debrah both having chances late on. A good break saw Richards break and Stockley feed Curtis. The forward’s shot was blocked and sub Lorent Tolaj followed up to blast into the net only to be flagged offside.
Vale were to regret that decision as the villain of the piece, Samson Tovide, scored from close range after a shot was saved. It was pretty much the visitor’s first shot on target, minutes from the final whistle and rough justice on the Valiants as it finished in a draw.
The consolation for the Vale is that their run stretches to five games unbeaten but it really should have been a third home win in a row.
Full-time: Port Vale 1-1 Colchester United
Attendance: 4,533 (140 visitors)
Final thoughts
Match: I guess we’ll be accused of home bias and sour grapes, but there were some dreadful theatrics from the visitors. So, in that regard, it was bitterly disappointing to see Tovide, who fell to the ground at every opportunity, score the equaliser. It’s not likely to be a game that lives long in the memory and disappointing to see two points dropped.
Players: Jayden Stockley adds so much to the frontline, it’s a pity he hasn’t more goals to his game. It’s harsh but Connor Ripley could have done better with the initial Colchester effort. Rico Richards made a bright start to the second-half after coming on as a sub. It was a pity to se George Byers leave the pitch early.
Port Vale line-up and stats
Ripley, Cover, Sang, Heneghan (Debrah), Hall, John, Byers (Croasdale), Garrity, Chislett (Tolaj), Hackford (Richards), Stockley
Subs: Amos, Paton
Bookings: John, Heneghan
Goals: Debrah (55)
Vale fan
1st October 2024 @ 9:59 pm
Get shut of Ripley he upsets this team with his antics, we are capable of winning promotion but not with this goalkeeper 16 shots on goal scored 1,then Enter Ripley and palm the ball into empty space in your own Area,I give Richard’s man of the match, congratulations to Debrah-great goal and you played well.
Pete
1st October 2024 @ 10:33 pm
We have a mountain to climb to get promotion. Few chances and we threw it away at the end. A comment this week said, last season we were a league 2 team in league 1. This season we are a league 1 side in league 2. Let’s prove it on the pitch.
Cookie
1st October 2024 @ 10:38 pm
Colchester came for a draw and got it. Time wasting from the first minute. Game changed when Byers forced off in first half. For me garrity not at the races again. Hey we didn’t lose but it feels like we did.One last thought, we paid a lot of money for Paton and he’s not getting a look in, young loaners getting the nod.Come on Darren ,wake up smell the coffee and give the lad a chance, he’s the lad who will fire us up the league.
Syd Lawton
2nd October 2024 @ 8:24 am
Still look woeful.at times garrity not the same since made captain ,& Dracula in goal terrified of crosses oh for.a Ken Hancock & Jack Wilkinson up front
Keith Dawson
2nd October 2024 @ 8:51 am
What a poor game of football that was. Colchester came to spoil the game and Vale simply weren’t good enough to do anything about it. Vale sat far too deep which made any meaningful attacks few and far between. Ripley had one save to make and he pushed it out to their pantomime villain who duly obliged. Promotion, you’ve got to be joking. Keep the faith
Phil Yeomans
2nd October 2024 @ 8:53 am
The first half was a disgrace to football the way the opposition displayed injuries amounting to 9 mins added for the half. Vale need to move the ball quicker although a massive improvement on last season, players showing commitment and good to see a target man upfront. Goalkeeper needs to play the ball much quicker and could be faulted with the equaliser.
Simon Bourne
2nd October 2024 @ 11:07 am
I say it time and again, Ripley is our weakness, over confident, arrogant and yes he will let us down again!
Ken from North Wales
2nd October 2024 @ 3:42 pm
Awful result, manager must play Amos as Ripley is a liability.Colchester with their antics were a disgrace, referee fell for everything they did hook line and sinker.
Vale fan
3rd October 2024 @ 5:23 pm
Syd Lawton, I doubt you will ever see the likes of Ken Hancock at the Vale again, he was one of my hero’s especially against Sunderland in the cup, Brian Clough was truly put in his place, Superb Goalie was Ken.
Ian Mountford
3rd October 2024 @ 9:42 pm
Clubs aren’t daft and everyone knows we are drastically short of pace particularly at the back, so it’s no surprise teams are breaking quick at us. I’m really confused by a lot of Mr Moore’s signing, we spent over 400k on Paton and Tolaj, both are proven goal scorers at the standard they were playing at last season. Paton is sat on the bench while Tolaj is playing a midfield roll. Curtis who was outstanding at this level last season is also on the bench. Both Hall and Heneghan are identical players who play in the same position and both lack pace. Now either these players are poor signings OR are good players being played out of position because the formations and systems the manager wants them to play. For me only Stockley and John of the permanent signings are looking good signings. While Byer, isn’t fit to lace Ray Walkers boots on what I’ve seen so far. Add to this the fact that we aren’t getting the best out of both Chislett and Garrity it’s very disappointing. Vale I’m sorry to say are looking no better than an average league two team so far, whether that’s due to poor signings or players being asked to play out of position I don’t know. The Colchester goal is at least the 3rd goal Ripley should have done better with this season, he had a good view of the shot, it was at a good height and he got two good hands to it .Ripley is certainly not the player who we signed. Notts County will be very interesting this Saturday and a good guide to exactly how good or not we are.