Port Vale’s first home friendly of the summer ended in defeat as they lost to Championship outfit Birmingham City.
Darren Moore named summer signings Marko Marosi, Cameron Humhreys and Ben Waine in his starting eleven. Humphreys was involved early on as he cleared a Birmingham attack.
Vale had a chance for Byers before the visitors took the lead on 26 minutes. Keishi Anderson scored with an effort which crashed off the bar. It meant the Valiants were trailing by a solitary goal at the break.
There were Vale appeals for a penalty on 53 minutes which were turned down before Moore made a double change on 75 minutes with Stockley and Richards replacing Paton and Waine. Minutes later, summer signing Liam Gordon replaced Headley. However, minutes later Birmingham doubled their lead with Willumsson scoring on 78 minutes.
That was the end of the action as Vale finished on the losing side to their Championship opponents.
Port Vale match stats
Vale side: Marko Marosi, Mitch Clark, Jesse Debrah, Cameron Humphreys, Connor Hall, Jaheim Headley (Liam Gordon), George Byers, Funso Ojo, Ruari Paton (Jayden Stockley), Lorent Tolaj, Ben Waine (Rico Richards)
Goals: none
New Goalie, Mmmmnnn doubtful.
Looks like a Relegation Season ?
You really don’t know how to look at this game. One hopes the team selection and the style we played was to confuse Rotherham if not we are in trouble. While accepting it was only a friendly, Moore did go back to all his old bad habits. Playing out from the back (which cost us one goal and could have cost us more), Tolay played that deep he’s almost a midfielder, and better players on the bench than on the pitch. One positive note, both Hadley and Paton whipped some decent corners into the box. One other thing, Cream shirts with black&white socks, possibly Carol’s son could explain why in the 50s the ladies washing the strip could keep the socks looking white but not the shirts?
Only one week before the season starts, today’s starting line up seemed experimental and under full strength. In these circumstances I would have thought Moore would have started his best available team. Garrity’s absence is concerning. Perhaps this is why Moore selected Ojo, who could have been expected to leave the club.
It’s to be hoped that Garrity has not been injured in training. Too many times last season we had long term injuries. Has Ojo been bought back as Garrity is on his way out via a transfer. Have still not faith in the manager so let’s see what this season brings.
I am not a Mr More fan as you know but we will be in the bottom Five, he could not pick his nose
The kit answer is pretty simple. It is INSPIRED by the kits of old. It is not an exact replica. I don’t think something will ever please everyone but it certainly seems be pleasing the majority – judging by the thousands of people buying it.