Rico Richards’ late strike was in vain as excellent goals from Colchester’s Samson Tovide and Fiacre Kelleher proved decisive. Here’s our match report.
Team news
In a surprise attacking move, Darren Moore gave a start to Ethan Chislett and also paired Ronan Curtis upfront. Rhys Walters kept his place while George Byers wasn’t in the squad. Mitch Clark and Kyle John returned as wingbacks. Fit again Jayden Stockley was named on the bench.
First-Half
An excellent solo goal from Vale nemesis Samson Tovide proved the difference as the Valiants trailed at the break.
The goal came on the half-hour mark as the ball broke for the Colchester forward. He still had lots to do and outpaced Nathan Smith before a deft finish beyond Ben Amos.
Until the goal it has been a mostly even affair. Tovide had the first chance in the opening seconds but it was comfortable for Amos as was a shot by Edwards on 27 minutes. Debrah also made a fine penalty box challenge to prevent another chance.
Vale did have opportunities. Tolaj and Curtis both had tame shots while Ryne Walters saw another effort saved. Vale’s best move involved a lovely backheel from Chislett to set up John but his shot was saved.
Tovide almost made it two late on but his header was well saved by Amos as Vale went into the interval only a goal down.
Half-time: Colchester Utd 1-0 Port Vale
Second-Half
A late goal for Colchester earned them all three points moments after Vale thought they’d earned a point through sub Rico Richards.
It was Vale with the first chances in the second-half. Connor Hall pulled a ball back from a Chislett free-kick but no-one was on hand to convert and Curtis did the same moments later.
The home side then had a period of pressure with the tricky Payne and Edwards causing Vale’s backline some problems but creating no clear chances for Colchester.
Darren Moore then brought on forwards Jayden Stockley and Jerry Umolu as he looked to force a goal. There was an immediate chance for Umolu but his effort was deflected. Clark then put a ball just ahead of a lunging Curtis. Vale continued to huff and puff but it was the home side with the next chance as Reed blazed over. There were also calls for a penalty after a Walters challenge in the box but it was turned down.
The game exploded into life in the last five minutes of normal time. Vale thought they’d earned a point when subs Sang, Stockley and Richards combined. Sang’s cross found the head of Stockley who nodded it down to Richards to score from close range. However, Colchester retook the lead minutes later. Goalscorer Richards conceded a free-kick and Lyle Taylor’s searing ball was deftly headed in by Kelleher.
Despite nine additional minutes, Vale couldn’t force an equaliser although Curtis did hit the angle of post and bar with the final effort of the game. Vale’s unbeaten run has come to an end and their promotion hopes have suffered a large dent.
Full-time: Colchester Utd 2-1 Port Vale
Summary
This looked to be a slightly improved performance from Saturday but it ended with Vale on the losing side. The Valiants struggled all night with an enterprising and pacy Colchester attack and Tovide in particular, constantly proved a problem to Vale’s defence with his muscularity and pace.
It may sound like a broken record but two thoughts stand out – firstly, the chopping and changing just doesn’t seem to suit this team. There’s no chance to build partnerships. Poor Ryan Croasdale, for instance, has had three midfield partners in recent games. Recent wingbacks have been Sang, Clark, John, Hart and Shorrock. Secondly. fans may be entitled to expect more from Darren Moore’s expensively assembled side who still look to be playing in second gear, perhaps because of that lack of a settled line-up.
Players
It wasn’t a game where any Port Vale player stood out but there were some welcome glimpses. I thought Walters, in only his second start of the season, showed occasional signs of why he’s so highly rated by the club. Lorent Tolaj and Ronan Curtis both showed determination while Smith, Debrah and Hall were troubled at times but were generally solid. The subs also made a difference with Sang, Stockley and Richards combining for Vale’s last goal.
The midfield was better than Saturday where the combination saw three similar players playing. I thought it looked far more balanced with Croasdale and Walters staying deep and Chislett handed a more advanced role. I suppose the decision to replace Chislett on the hour mark was because the player lacks match fitness but I hope he is persisted with as he offers more in an attacking sense than any of the other midfield options.
Stats
Starting XI: Amos – Debrah, Smith, Hall – John (Umulo), Croasdale (Richards), Walters (Harper), Clark (Sang) – Chislett (Stockley) – Curtis, Tolaj
Subs: Broome, Heneghan
Goals: Richards (84)
Yellow cards: John, Clark
Attendance:
Competition: League Two
What did you think of the game and the performance? Scroll down and submit a comment.
Awful game on an awful pitch. We got what we deserved. Colchester wanted it more. Tombola back in action with multiple changes before and during the game. Mr Moore said we need to learn after fleetwood, wonder what pearls of wisdom he will spout tonight?? Probably hes dissapointed and a lack of composure in the final third are things that come to mind. This clown of a manager as not got a clue. Ending on a positive having spent 4 and half hours going to and back from the original postponed match i can have an early night and thank my lucky stars not got a 4 hour plus return journey after watching that. Safe journey home to the hardy souls.
Walters best player two poor mistakes o.k.vales first defeat this year also they have not won in four not good enough this team should be doing a lot better
After three successive draws and Moore’s ever changing line ups struggling for consistency, this disappointing defeat has been brewing for a while. One defeat in 11 games, but crucially just 3 points out of the last 12. Automatic promotion places are drifting away, and with Colchester and Grimsby hitting top form even a play off place isn’t guaranteed. The Vale’s home form will be crucial, but a quick glance at the season’s “goals for” column says that games won have generally been hard fought struggles. As before, consistent team selection and tactical balance remains Moore’s biggest conundrum and the biggest frustration for supporters, many of whom might be saying to themselves “I could do better than that”.
Terrible performance players looked like they were making it up as they went along. Colchester much the better side they had a game plan and it was well executed. Darren Moore doesn’t seem to have a clue how to get this side back on track. The negative tactics and safety first in team selection is not working and the form of all the players has dropped off in recent weeks and there are no signs of it improving. Amos when he got the chance started well but I don’t see him as the long term solution for the Vale.
The run in for the Vale is getting harder every match and based on present form I don’t see them picking up many points before the season ends. Any chance of securing automatic promotion is looking more and more unlikely.
If the Vale don’t get promotion I’m sorry but I don’t see Darren Moore managing the team next season unless there’s a major change in how he manages the team.
I have to say I will NOT be watching this team again! Absolutely dreadful. I was so bored, the back 3 play it sideways and backwards, they lack pace which teams play to and exploit easily. ! No one to penetrate from midfield, far far too slow in the build up. Waste of money and time. Mid table finish or worse based on that performance. My summary: Boring to watch!!! I’m out!!
Everything has been said now, Carol act NOW ,not at the end of the season, under a different manager we could just make it to the playoffs offs at least.One more question please, When did Amos turn into Connor Ripley, he’s getting quite adept at adding the ball across his own area.Moore has got to go, he is a disgrace as a manager
3points from 4 games an insult too all who have seen the Vale this season. We will be lucky to get 5000 at home this Saturday. We are the most negative squad since Gannons days as manager thanks to the managers continued tinkering . Players like Chislett and Garrity stifled by no faith from the manager. We have players out on loan who are better than those in on loan.
Game over,move on,not pretty to watch,again,but we are still in there,clubs around us are and will stutter,plenty to play for,i would sooner be in the mix at the the top,than up the creek at the bottom,,,,,,,,,SO LETS GET BEHIND THEM,instead of knocking them,
WE ARE VALE ARN’T WE
Carol,Darrell Clarke is free now, it would not surprise me.
Really frustrated with the manager at the moment as we drift towards mid table.
Continuing to try and play out from the back on what you can only describe as a parks pitch is just criminal.
I don’t understand his logic at all.
Vale are getting worse each game. We look like a bottom half of the table side , with no desire , passion or even an idea of the proper shape.
Moore had plenty of money at both WBA and Sheff Weds respectively, yet he was sacked with the former lying 4th in the table , and the latter having gained promotion to the Championship.
Huddersfield fans thought he was stealing a wage. So , two things. Sack him now and get someone in who can inspire the team to promotion, or stick with Moore and face 3 or 4 more years in the basement. League Two is very poor this season , and right now Vale look like one of the poorest sides in it . Moore OUT .
I hear you words John but Carol is not listening, there must be something going on at the Vale because no one dare say anything, the powers that be used to listen to us supporters now they don’t.We are being taken for mugs.At the end of the season when season tickets are ready for renewal and the shirts and scarves needs selling “the great owner will speak.”I personally will not listen, nor will most of my mates who were talking about this last night
“Vale were not at their best” is becoming a standard quote for every game. Other than Debrah and possibly Walters I was happy with his team selection, Debrah because I just don’t rate him and Walters (although he proved me wrong) due to his match fitness. While we did have spells where we had the majority of the ball seldom did we look as if we could hurt them. Cowley for the fraction of the money seems to have assembled a better squad than us, who all knew what their jobs were and who all were more motivated than us. This is the 4th manager in 4 games who has out thought and out motivated Moore, and for me when he took off Chislett and sent on forward after forward he’d lost any clue on how to win this game, and was just throwing people on in the HOPE of getting a lucky break. To play 4-1-5 is an act of sheer panic. Our lack of pace throughout the team at times jumps out at you. John was struggling at times, Smith was left for dead for the goal, and Debrah who was on the half way line and could have got back to give Smith cover seemed to be backwards. Few if any of the forwards and midfielders seem able to go past a man which does limit our options, and don’t get me started on set pieces. With the height we have in our squad you should be looking at 10-15 goals a season at least from set pieces. Moore and his bus load of coaches for me are stealing a wage, it’s dreadful at times. Amiss did disappoint me on the goal and I think if he’d just stood tall the lad would have had very little to shoot at. The comparison between the team that overwhelmed Mansfield at Wembley who just came out of the traps 100mph, and a Darren Moores team, slow boring and ponder some is staggering. Just a boost in confidence and an understanding between players can improve a team no end but it’s just something I can not see happening under Moore, I keep saying it, he’s the worst manager Vale have ever had, and chances need to be made.
We badly need a more permanent skipper on the field. Byers is more suited to Dad’s Army as he could not a horse to water. Where are the leaders like we had in Johnny Nicholson of years gone by.
The anti Moore sentiment in some posts seems a growing trend. I too stated bewilderment at his team selections, tactical choices and playing style. But, I won’t suggest he’s the club’s worst ever manager. Others in my time following the club were arguably worse League 2 managers. Bobby Smith with a win rate of 18%, and the failed Dennis Butler who spent a comparative fortune including paying separate record transfer fees for Ken Todd and Peter Farrell. Butler’s team struggled hopelessly in the League 2 basement. Then there’s the infamous Jim Gannon who had a destructive influence on team morale and supporter confidence, and Dean Glover who didn’t transfer his player success to management. And, ex Stoke stalwart Alan Bloor who honestly admitted he wasn’t cut out for the job. Moore is tainted with failure to prevent relegation from League 1. His 5 year contract could perhaps have included a conditional probation period to avoid relegation. Not that a 5 year contract provides guarantees. It didn’t for Darrell Clarke.
David Brown , I to can go back to Smith and Butler, even the Mudie and Matthews days and beyond. After Crosby had been thrown to the wolves to protect Flitcroft. Moore arrived at the Vale Park with an army of coaches, all on very good wages, I’m not sure if we were 16th or 17th when he took over, and alls he had to do was match the results of 4 teams below us to keep us up. He failed miserably in fact he did worse than Crosby had done. As Vale refuse to tell fans anything you have to read the local media from where we sign players to get an insight of how much Moore has spent. He spent a ridiculous amount on both Paton and Tolaj then hardly played them, Curtis, Smith and Chislett couldn’t get a game in favour of loanees. Byers and Stockley are injury prone. Garrity was used as a midfield anchor man. And although we had a spell of winning games by the odd goal, luckily at times it was dreadful to watch and some decent players have drastically been under performing because of this man. I judge a managers performance on what he has to work with and not just on results, and Moore has had the biggest, best paid and most expensive squad in this division or one of them. And he has been a disaster!