Port Vale failed to take their cup form into the League as they were comfortably beaten by Bradford on Wednesday evening. Here’s our match report.
Team News
Manager Jon Brady brought in defenders Tyler Magloire and Elijah Campbell into his starting eleven alongside Andre Gray who started upfront.
Ethon Archer, Dejaune Brown and Liam Gordon were among the subs on the bench.
Cameron Humphreys, Ryan Croasdale, Ben Heneghan, George Byers and Ben Garrity were all missing through injury.
Tyler Magloire – started
First-half
Port Vale were brought back down to earth after a poor first-half display at Vale Park. It was Bradford with all the chances and the only goal of the half.
The visitors had a string of chances. A quick corner on nine minutes almost caught Vale out and Waine had to head off the line. There was an even better chance for the visitors on 20 minutes. Wheatley broke clear of Kyle John but Gauci made a fine one-on-one save.
Neufville was next to threaten but he blazed over on 27 minutes. A minute later Pointon robbed Magloire and Gauci did well again to block his shot. Vale were hanging on at the back. The deadlock was broken on the half-hour mark when Gauci made a fine save from Tyreik Wright and Pointon was on hand to poke home the loose ball. To be fair to the visitors it was a deserved lead.
There were further chances for City including a late chance for Wheatley, who robbed Hall, but Gauci saved well again. As the half-time whistle went, Vale had not forced Bradford keeper Walker into a meaningful save and had it all to do in the second period.
Half-time: Port Vale 0-1 Bradford City
Joe Gauci – good saves
Second-half
It was a similar story in the second-half as a lacklustre Vale side ended up easily beaten.
Jon Brady made a triple change at the break. Shipley, Hall and Archer replaced Ojo, Walters and Waine. However, in the early stages it was the same as the first-half with Bradford pressing.
Vale finally had a chance on 53 minutes when a good ball from Shipley found fellow sub Archer but he failed to test the keeper.
However, it was Bradford again for a period with shots blocked as the Vale defence was tested. It ended with a long-range shot by Power saved by Gauci on 57 minutes.
It seemed only a matter of time before Bradford added a second and it came on 65 minutes. Tyreik Wright surged forward and his powerful shot gave Gauci little chance. It looked game over and nearly was on 73 minutes but Bradford sub Swan headed wide from close range.
Vale finally got an effort on target when George Hall wriggled free, but his 82nd minute effort was saved. However, Bradford nearly made it three in the closing moments as sub Humphrys forced Gauci into another fine save.
It was a chastening defeat for the Valiants – after the highs of the FA Cup on Sunday, it was the lows of the League on Wednesday.
Full-time: Port Vale 0-2 Bradford City
Archer – chance
Analysis and Opinion
The match
It was a difficult game for the Valiants – Vale’s backline was regularly stretched by Bradford’s forwards, the forwards were starved of chances and the midfield could not gain control of the game. It was noticeable that both Ojo and Walters were replaced at the break. With Waine also subbed it seemed that the cup exertions may have sapped Vale of energy.
The players
Goalkeeper Joe Gauci caught the eye with a series of decent saves. George Hall was less prominent but his pace did cause Bradford problems on the odd occasion. Otherwise, it was a pretty poor performance by the remainder of the side.
Star player
Joe Gauci.
Summing up in a sentence
Tired Valiants well beaten by Bradford as reality bites.
Match stats
Team: Gauci – Magloire (Gordon), John, C.Hall – Gabriel, Walters (Ward), Ojo (Shipley), Campbell – G.Hall, Gray (Brown), Waine (Archer)
Subs: Amos, Hernandez
Yellows: Campbell, C.Hall
Reds: none
Goals: none
Attendance: 6,198 (1,135 visitors)
Season stats
Your thoughts…
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Absolutely piss poor performance from start to finish. Men against boys all over the park, lucky it wasn’t 5 or 6 nil. We have got too many players that just simply aren’t good enough. Not sure where we start to rebuild for next season, lots of exits I would suggest and for goodness sake stop bringing in non league players who just aren’t fit for purpose. Roll on next season, my heart goes out to our loyal supporters who turn up for every game. Let’s hope we put up a better show at Chelsea.
Bradford dominated possession and shots and over powered tired Vale. The two clubs were promoted together last season, but the contrast in fortunes is clear. Bradford continued to improve and challenge for promotion to the Championship, while Vale are virtually relegated back to League 2. They started this season on equal footing, but Vale have paid a very costly price for hanging on far too long with Darren Moore’s disastrous decision making. Vale’s 11 wins in 14 Cup games has been a pleasant distraction with a unique FA Cup Quarter Final tie at Chelsea something to savor, but the league season has been ruined by mistakes permeating from the top.
Dreadful performance after a week of elation this team would struggle in the local pub league no idea where to run, or where to be for a pass or for that matter to be able pass the ball forward archer flatters to deceive consistanly giving ball away gray will never get upto pace and while gauchi making some good saves his awareness, concentration, and kicks leaves alot to be desired cant see where a win might be lightly be its going to be a hard watch from now on
Having watched the Sunderland game and thought all the players put a shift in, then watched last night’s game where to me none really put in a shift. I just don’t get it OK people say they were tired well that’s there job they should not be tired they suppose to be professional footballers. They looked like they weren’t bothered. But you can pick holes in the team, I would say majority are div 2 players. Walters just ball watches never seems to pick up. Other managers must think it’s easy to score against us. Get the ball down the wings keep putting the ball in they don’t pick up we will get a goal.
Well after the lord mayor’s show afraid Darren Moore as got such a lot to answer for leaving the club with such a poor squad now need a massive clearout & hope Mr Brady can wave a magic wand in div 2 going forward as for last night Guci single handed kept the score down don’t know what else to say singling individuals out is futile because every member of the squad-1 were absolutely abject anyway UTV
The difference between the cup victories and last night were plain to see. In the cup competitions we’ve usually faced weakened teams, and seldom played a team who pressed and played with the intensity Bradford played with. While they played as a compact unit, we were forced into isolated individuals with nowhere to go, and no one to pass to. Our players lost every single individual battle out there. Basically they did a job on us. With neither Grey or Hernandez looking capable of ever getting up to anywhere near match fitness, it does make me wonder why Patton was allowed out on loan, even if long term he has no future at the Vale. It’s difficult after a performance like that to feel optimistic about next season let alone this, a nonexistent forward line, a midfield that’s constantly over ran, (we need 3or4 genuine midfielders in there) and a defence that backs off and is caught ball watching.
Another kick in the teeth,just rolling over again,again,and again,the chances we have had to get out of this rut,and once again we blow it,i like the rest of the supporters,,,,cant wait for this dreadfull season to end,finishing bottom,is what we deserve,and we will,,and with this awfull squad,i am afraid i fear the worst,,,,oh and the trip to chelsea,I REALLY FEAR THE WORST,,,,please vale make me chew on all what i have said