What was billed as a potential must-win game for the Vale ended in an uninspiring draw and a chorus of boos at the final whistle. Here’s our match report.
Team news
Manager Darren Moore made three changes to his starting line-up. Both wingbacks were replaced with Mitch Clark came in on the right, with Kyle John replacing Jesse Debrah in the back three while Jack Shorrock came in for Sam Hart. Meanwhile, Lorent Tolaj started upfront at the expense of Antwoine Hackford. George Byers was fit to play and captained the side.
First-Half
Midfielder Rakeem Harper had the two best chances as Port Vale dominated the first-half without being able to find the net.
Vale started strongly with Ronan Curtis shooting wide as early as the third minute. The resulting corner saw Lorent Tolaj rattle the woodwork.
Harper forced a good save out of Belshaw on twelve minutes and the midfielder saw a long-range effort saved eight minutes later.
Harrogate had to wait until 24 minutes for their first shot on target with Ellis Taylor’s attempt saved by Amos. Curtis then blazed over for Vale before the game meandered a little. In the closing moments, the impressive Tolaj saw a shot saved as it finished goalless at the break.
Half-time: Port Vale 0-0 Harrogate
Second-Half
A drab second-half display saw it finish goalless after ninety minutes as the Vale failed to build on their promising first-half display. It was a disappointing result for the Valiants and a blow to their promotion hopes.
Harrogate were the first to threaten with an effort from Hill before Curtis had a number of chances where his shots were deflected, blocked or he was flagged offside. However, after those Vale chances, Harrogate had their best spell of the game. There were two chances for Ellis Taylor but he was unable to take them.
Clark was next to threaten for Vale with a drive that went over before Moore made changes with Richards, Umolu and Hart all coming on. However, by now it was a flat atmosphere and Vale needed to do something to liven the crowd up.
It almost came on 82 minutes when substitute Umolu turned his man in the box but his shot went inches wide. Drama did finally arrive in the dying moments, when Richards looked to be fouled in the box, but no penalty was given. That was Vale’s last chance as it finished in a point apiece and Darren Moore’s side departed to a chorus of boos.
Full-time: Port Vale 0-0 Harrogate
Summary
This draw at least extends Vale’s unbeaten run to ten games but it could have been so much more on the night. This Port Vale side are very frustrating. They can dominate at times and can string some nice moves together, but they could not find the cutting edge to break the Harrogate resistance. Credit is also due to the visitors for their defensive work.
Meanwhile, the defence still looked vulnerable at times against a side boosting a rookie making his debut upfront. It’s frustrating because you can see the talent in this Vale side but things are not clicking into gear at the moment. Results are being ground out rather than teams being swept aside. They are still very much in promotion contention but they don’t half make heavy weather of it at times.
Players
It was great to see Lorent Tolaj back in the starting eleven and he produced an eye-catching first-half display of muscular power and threat. He was probably Vale’s best player on the night and linked up well with fellow livewire Ronan Curtis. Both faded in the game’s later moments. There were decent displays from John and Clark and there were flashes of skill from Shorrock too. However, there was no-one in midfield to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and dictate play.
Stats
Starting XI: Amos – John (Umolu), Smith, Hall – Clark, Harper (Richards), Byers, Croasdale, Shorrock (Hart) – Curtis, Tolaj
Subs: Broome, Chislett, Debrah, Hackford
Goals: none
Yellow cards: none
Attendance: 5,107 (47 visitors)
Competition: League Two
What did you think of the game and the performance? Scroll down and submit a comment.
Typical Vale to mess it up with Doncaster Wimbledon Notts County and Crwho all losing.
Onto inform teams Fleetwood and Colchester and 2 difficult tricky away games.
We got throw everything at them and take risks now Moore if you want make the most of those 1 and 2 games in hand still on those above.
I want see us bullying teams more.
No one in midfield to change the game. Why was Chislett not brought on in place of Byers who thinks a two yard pass is world class. At least not lost 6th place but we must get Stockley and Garrity back.
Disappointing, but Harrogate’s overall defensive record and stubborn organization can be a tough nut to crack. Opportunity lost for the Vale, and again Chislett didn’t start or even make it off the bench when the team needed a creative spark and ingenuity to breakdown a determined defence. Just 2 points out of 6 in the last two games, both against struggling teams. That said, 10 league games without defeat and games in hand keep the Vale in pole position to break into the top three. It’s just a pity that many supporters are less than convinced about it. The decision to loan out expensive striker Paton in exchange for an inexperienced teenager might prove very damaging.
A bright start soon turns into the slow predictable buildup play.
Harrogate left there 2 best players at home, confident that they could a point off us.
I agree with you about bringing Chislet and Hackford on as well.
On the face of it we have a squad that has potential to destroy most teams in this league however I think we are to slow in switching from defence to attack, forwards who have to come to deep and struggle to put 3 passes together, defensively prone to an unforced error. Overall to defensive minded particularly when creative players are not involved.
I think we will throw it away as its a very poor league also if they do manage to go up it’s 150 years for the club next year where they wouldn’t want to get relegated if you think off it that way
Poor performances are being continuously defended by the quote “undefeated run”. Let’s get things straight, and can go undefeated all season and still go down. Undefeated means Nothing!! Winning games is what matters, with good positive performances coming a close second. After some poor performances and the disastrous defeat at Grimsby Moore did seem to have smelt the coffee and woke up. He ditched this ridiculous ponderous playing out from the back and put a bit of energy into our play. But here we are back to square one. A system which didn’t work or suit anyone has been reintroduced to accommodate Byers. Vale have had a number of players in the mould of Byers over the years, a playmaker, a genius who can run a game! But to me he lacks pace, he lacks aggression and the lacks the legs to run a game. So we are left with a player who walks around telling other players what to do, and wanting to play in safe areas of the pitch, in his case just in front or even behind our back three. You don’t win games or influence them playing there. I so much want Byers to prove me wrong but his body language doesn’t give me much hope. I’ve being saying it for a while, Moore is the worst manager we have ever had, and playing a system which was proven not to work to suit one player is ridiculous. While none of the midfielders were brilliant there still seems no place for Chislett even though he’s a proven goal scorer, something no one can understand except Moore. He had similar attitudes towards Smith, Tolaj and Curtis but once given their chance they have proven three of our most influential players. There will be no easy games because almost everybody is fighting for the playoff or to stay in the league but unless you are a very very good team you need to impose yourself on the opposition and you don’t do that pussyfooting around in your own half.
I would agree on Chislett. For me, I would have selected two from three (of Byers, Croasdale or Harper) as holding midfielders and play Chislett (or Richards if Moore thinks Chislett isn’t match fit) in Garrity’s more advanced position. Neither Chislett nor Richards are like-for-like replacements but they would at least link up midfield with attack, provide a creative outlet and also a goal threat. Instead, we had three central midfielders all playing really deep which led to Tolaj and Curtis having to come back to get the ball.
Very poor vale some players can’t pass the ball,they have got to learn to shoot instead of giving the ball away john rudge got it right two great wingers,big strong centre forward and three very strong midfield players backed up by messes aspin glover porter Mills.
Come on Darren try it the Rudge way.
Can not watch this rubbish anymore, Carol you have not got a clue and your manager certainly has not got a clue what he is doing, You can not walk the ball into the opposition goal.We have been useless against all the bottom clubs, Moore has now proved he has got to GO!