The fat lady has finally sung as Port Vale were finally confirmed as relegated from League One. At least they battled hard in South Wales though. Here’s our match report.
Team News
Manager Jon Brady largely made four changes to his starting eleven with the likes of Onel Hernandez and Ethon Archer dropping out. Connor Hall and Elijah Campbell continued their energy sapping run of appearing in four games in sixteen games.
George Hall came in to assist Martin Sherif upfront with Jordan Gabriel named on the right flank.
Ben Waine, Ethon Archer and Jaheim Headley were all named on the bench.
Gabriel – started
First-half
Vale were battling for their League One survival as it was goalless and all-square at the break.
It was a quiet start with Cardiff probing but the first shot did not arrive until 15 minutes when Robinson shot wide. Vale countered with a good run by Walters but Gordon’s 18th effort on goal was poor.
The Valiants were working hard to thwart Cardiff and the next chances did not arrive till the half-hour mark – Colwill hitting the side netting and Gauci saving another effort. Vale continued to battle and there were shouts for a penalty when Hall went down in the box but it wasn’t given.
On 42 minutes, Humphreys left the ball and Gauci was forced to save at the feet of Robinson. At the break it was all-square with Vale generally doing OK to silence the home supporters.
Half-time: Cardiff City 0-0 Port Vale
Gordon – first effort for Vale
Second-half
Cardiff finally broke Port Vale resistance in the second-half to relegate Jon Brady’s side.
The home side missed a great chance in the opening moments. Kpakio was sent clear in acres of space and his excellent cross was onto Salech’s head but he inexplicably missed from close range. It was a real let-off for the Vale. Next to threaten for City was Robertson on 51 minutes but Gauci saved his curling drive.
Against the run of play, Vale then had a great chance of their own on 53 minutes. Garrity met a corner with his head but keeper Trott pulled off a fine save to deny him. There were then appeals for a penalty from a Croasdale free-kick as Vale came more into the game. Croasdale broke into the box on the hour mark but as Gordon shot he was flagged offside.
The home side forced back possession and there was panic in the box on 62 minutes but Vale managed to scramble it clear as Cardiff pressed. The home side were back on top and Jon Brady made changes to counter the threat. The Vale boss brought on four players as a final throw of the dice.
There was a mix-up at the back for the Vale on 75 minutes but Willock ballooned a good chance well over. The Valiants then countered when sub Hernandez put a good low ball over but fellow replacement Headley produced an air kick when well placed. Vale would rue that miss as Cardiff went up the other end and Rubin Colwill headed home. Vale looked like they may equalise as the lively Hernandez wriggled free, but Waine could not score from a couple of feet out. The luckless sub then blocked a late effort from Campbell. They were clear examples of Vale’s lack of goal threat.
The Valiants could leave the stadium with heads held high but overall they will look back at their 150th anniversary season as one to forget as they slip back to League Two.
Full-time: Cardiff City 1-0 Port Vale
Garrity – header saved
Analysis and Opinion
The match
The first-half was a pretty lacklustre affair. Promoted Cardiff seemed to have a “job done” one eye on the beach feel but Vale lack the quality to take advantage. Brady’s side continued to put in plenty of effort in the second-half but clearly lacked that cutting edge. Vale now face a crucial summer rebuild with the forward line a clear priority.
The players
It was a solid all-round performance with Vale digging deep and not lacking for effort. Joe Gauci had one of his better games while Croasdale, Garrity and Walters all grafted in midfield. Sherif, who also had one of his better games, and Hall may lack a goal threat but their pace caused problems at times. Sub Hernandez produced a brief entertaining cameo.
Star player
A reasonable team performance but without a stand-out performer.
Summing up in a sentence
Relegation is finally confirmed.
Match stats
Team: Gauci – Humphreys, C.Hall, Campbell – Gabriel (Hernandez), Croasdale (Shipley), Garrity, Walters, Gordon (Headley) – G.Hall (Archer), Sherif (Waine)
Subs: Amos, Magloire
Yellows: none
Reds: none
Goals: none
Attendance:
Season stats
Your thoughts…
Debate the match on the dedicated match thread in the OVF forum
Or scroll down and post your comment at the bottom of this match report
Sadly this has been inevitable since the failings of the club’s hierarchy to sack the clown Moore sooner than they eventually did, giving Mr Brady zero chance of keeping us up. Jury is out on him, I’ll reserve my judgement until 10 games into next season. Complete overhaul of one of the worst compiled squads I’ve had the misfortune of watching in what should have been a celebratory season is required. At least 8 to 10 players needed. Championship ready!! Conference ready would be more apt! Let’s await with bated breath for a summer clearout and some exciting signings and hopefully some players capable of scoring goals as the current incumbents couldn’t hit a barn door! League 2 tour again, Can’t wait! UTV
Accurate post that probably sums up frustration and opinion of most supporters, although I consider the Vale’s relegated squads of 2007-08 and 2016-07 were worse.
Yes the dirty deed is done and it is a dirty deed with Carol and co at the top of the hit list, how the players completely missed the goals is beyond belief, I can’t wait to see the retained list, Matt Hancock should be first out of the door.There is only one player I would honestly try and keep that’s Hansndrez, he would run riot in div 2, I for one will pick and choose my games, Why did you not listen to the supporters Carol, from now when you speak I won’t listen, UTV.
Where for aŕt thow Jack Shorrock
To paraphrase Kenneth Wolstenholme… We thought it was all over, it is now ! I am sure that the blame for this shambolic episode in Vale’s history is well known to us all so no need to dwell on it. Some of the culprits have already gone and good riddance, others at ownership and backroom management level are still there, don’t see that it is mainly their fault and will likely repeat the same disastrous decisions yet again. Imagine this time next season being about to exit L2 on the way to non league? It can happen !
We can only hope that the manager is allowed to offload players in bulk who are very obviously not of the required standard and replace them with good L2 players with L1 capabilities but with the current blinkered ownership and backroom management I fear more of the same…unless they change or are changed. The manager deserves a chance to deliver with his choice of better players ( possibly even a couple who can score goals) but we have seen this season what happens when bad management ( at all levels) is allowed to continue for too long without change….its called relegation,and the next one is just too bad to imagine.