The Valiants grabbed a point in the dying seconds thanks to a great strike by sub Ronan Curtis. However, it was probably a lucky point for the below par Vale side. Here’s our match report…
Team news
Manager Darren Moore once again rang the changes to his starting eleven. Defender Nathan Smith made a rare start alongside Ben Heneghan and Connor Hall after Jesse Debrah missed out. Lorent Tolaj started upfront while there was a welcome return for Kyle John after injury. The experienced Conor Grant replaced Monday’s goal hero Jack Shorrock as left wingback. Ronan Curtis, Benicio and Rico Richards made up a strong Vale bench.
First-Half report
It was a tentative half of few chances with Jayden Stockley having the best opportunities for the Valiants.
There was a slow start with no shots on target in the first fifteen minutes. However, Ben Heneghan did receive a yellow card for a late challenge. Vale’s first real opportunity arrived on seventeen minutes when Stockley put the ball wide from an Ethan Chislett corner. There was another chance soon after following an excellent driving run from Croasdale. Sang was sent clear and rounded the keeper only for his cross-shot to be cleared off the line.
The home side had their opportunities too. Thomas could only find the side netting from one low cross while George Miller put a header wide from a free-kick. Vale countered with a powerful header from Stockley which went over but were having to wary of Cheltenham’s wide play. One low pass just evaded Miller late on but it finished goalless at the break with neither keeper forced into a meaningful save.
Half-time: Cheltenham Town 0-0 Port Vale
Second-Half report
A dramatic late strike from Ronan Curtis earned Vale a point at Whaddon Road.
Vale had the first attempt when Stockley’s close range effort was blocked. However, Cheltenham then took charge as they put Vale’s defence under pressure. Firstly, Archer had a shot deflected wide before a corner resulted in the goal. Ripley touched an effort onto the crossbar but George Miller was on hand to convert from close range to make it 1-0 after 50 minutes.
Vale did try to counter bringing on a number of subs. Ethan Chislett saw an effort go just wide before one of the subs, Rico Richards had a glorious chance saved. Fellow sub Sam Hart cleverly backheeled the ball to an unmarked Richards but goalkeeper Day was quickly out to save. Ben Heneghan saw a header go well over while a cross from sub Ruari Paton almost found Stockley.
Cheltenham brought on former Vale duo Tom Pett and Matty Taylor as they tried to close the game out. It looked all over for Vale who looked short of ideas in the final stages. There were appeals for a penalty from a Heneghan effort which were turned down and all looked lost as the game entered added time. However, in the very last minute Paton found fellow sub Curtis who unleashed a drive which beat Day and sparked delirium in the away stand. Cheltenham players protested about the amount of time added on, but to no avail, as Vale snatched a perhaps undeserved point. They’ll have to play much better on Saturday.
Full-time: Cheltenham Town 1-1 Port Vale
Reflections
This was not a great performance by the Valiants. The final ball was lacking several times but Vale also looked sloppy on other occasions too. The defence, normally so resilient, was guilty of not clearing some crosses while too many players were not at their best. It’s also worrying how, if Jayden Stockley is not on top form, the team look short of a goal threat. However, like many successful teams, despite being off form, the side somehow found a way to take something from the game and all credit to sub Ronan Curtis for a fine strike. However, the team will have to improve considerably when they take on Walsall at the weekend.
Starting eleven ratings…
- Ripley – didn’t do much wrong but distribution could have been better
- Smith – reliable and as usual at the centre of the odd controversy (Subbed 62)
- Heneghan – late challenge saw him booked, otherwise solid
- Hall – solid at the back and also came forward on occasion
- John – a quiet return, perhaps still feeling his way back after injury (subbed 70)
- Croasdale – reliable and hard-working in the engineroom (our star man)
- Sang – quality delivery but not able to find the killer pass
- Grant – some nice crosses from the flank (subbed 62)
- Chislett – not as involved as he has been in other matches
- Stockley – worked hard but was unable to take any of several chances (subbed 78)
- Tolaj – odd touch of class but not in the game enough (subbed 62)
Subs
- Curtis (on 62) – grew into the game and snatched that dramatic late goal
- Richards (on 62) – some nice touches but should have scored
- Hart (on 62) – lovely touch to set up Richards and did OK
- Paton (on 70) – immediate impact with his clever play and set up Curtis late on
- Benicio (on 78) – looked short of confidence after coming on
Stats
Starting XI: Ripley – Smith (Richards 62), Heneghan, Hall – John (Paton 70), Sang, Croasdale, Grant (Hart 62) – Tolaj (Curtis 62), Stockley, Chislett
Subs: Amos, Lowe, Richards, Paton, Curtis, Benicio, Hart
Goals: Curtis (94)
Bookings: Heneghan, Croasdale
Attendance: TBC
Competition: League Two
This component may not immediately update after the match has finished
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Wow, the Vale left that one late. Traveling supporters must almost have given up hope, possibly with memories of the recent 0-1 defeat at Gillingham. An away point is always useful, but the cutting edge seems to be missing from recent performances. Changes to every starting line up, and yet the club remains top of the league….but for how long ? Next up a massive tactical test for Moore at home to Walsall, a team that in decades past were always regarded as the Vale’s biggest bogey team.
Wish they could start like they finished last night. We would be unbeatable. Give curtis his Christmas now!
3points are definitely required on Saturday. It’s aboutt time we laid the Walsall bogey to bed. We seem to be such slow starters in most games. All this tinkering by the manager is so frustrating and we have no cohesion at times.
I still don’t get Moores tactics, Heneghan should of been replaced after 20 minutes, it was an awful display from him, who’s idea is it to take a corner and pass it all the way back to your own half, I’m dreading Saturday,Walsall, play as a unit,over the years Vale have had some weird games against them, sorry Mr Moore is not for me, the Vale had 8 days off and after 35 minutes they looked shattered,and out of ideas.
Worrying lack of goals at moment. If we don’t start scoring we will be sliding down the table. Time for Moore to show us how good he is
Too much tinkering by the manager, he seems still not to know his best lineup and system. We have no pace out wide and Stockley is starved of decent service.