Port Vale’s relegation looks inevitable barring a miracle as they were held at home. Here’s our match report.
Team News
Jon Brady handed a start to targetman Jayden Stockley following his return from injury. Kyle John missed out through injury with loanee Elijah Campbell coming into the starting eleven.
Dejaune Brown was named on the Vale bench alongside midfielder Ryan Croasdale but there was no place in the squad for Andre Gray, Onel Hernandez or Grant Ward.
Jayden Stockley – returned to starting line-up
First-half
It was a disjointed Port Vale performance for the opening forty five minutes with Brady’s side unable to craft any clearcut chances.
Vale were sloppy early on. Gauci was nearly robbed and Gabriel threw a throw-in straight out of play. It meant Barnsley had the first chance on five minutes as Vale dallied in the box.
Vale’s first chance saw the ball find Garrity on the edge of the box on eight minutes but his shot was blocked. After a poor start, the Valiants then got more into the game with George Hall’s pace causing problems. A good move saw Hall link with Stockley and Gabriel had another shot blocked.
However, the visitors continued to look dangerous and on 29 minutes Humphreys skews the ball over his own bar. Eight minutes later, Barnsley had an even better chance but Bradshaw somehow missed his header from close range.
The Valiants had a period of pressure in the closing stages, forcing a series of corners but they could not fashion a chance from them. Instead, it was the Tykes with the last chance as Yoganathan weaved through challenges but drove the ball wide. It was all-square at the break.
Half-time: Port Vale 0-0 Barnsley
George Hall – caused problems
Second-half
The Valiants put plenty of effort into the second-half but the visitors had the better chances as it ended in a draw.
Vale made a change with Brown replacing Stockley. The side had a bright start but once again the cutting edge was missing. Sub Brown nearly had a dream start as he was found by Gordon but he blazed over.
However, Barnsley continued to have chances. A corner was headed behind by Connor Hall before Vale countered with a low effort from Walters saved.
The decisive moment appeared to have arrived on the hour mark as Gabriel brought down the lively Yoganathan in the box. The spot-kick was poor and Gauci was able to save.
Both sides had chances in the closing half-hour. Sub Martin Sherif was almost sent clear while Gabriel had another chance. However, the visitors should have won in the final minutes as they had a string of chances. Gauci was at fault several times as he failed to dominate his area with the luckless Bradshaw missing two close-range chances and having another effort blocked by Campbell.
It finished goalless and not enough for Vale who now look nailed on for relegation.
Full-time: Port Vale 0-0 Barnsley
Joe Gauci – penalty save
Analysis and Opinion
The match
It was a dull first-half display and the home crowd were clearly not satisfied at the break as boos broke out. Vale upped the tempo in the second-half but Barnsley still had the better chances overall.
The players
Captain Ben Garrity and youngster Rhys Walters both battled away while George Hall’s pace caused problems until he ran out of gas. Jayden Stockley was often isolated at times and Ben Waine was quiet. There were also several unforced errors at the back. Overall Vale’s delivery was poor. Joe Gauci had a real up and down game – saving a penalty and making a couple of good saves but also flapping at balls and rushing out of his box.
Star player
There were some decent performances but it’s difficult to pick a stand out player.
Summing up in a sentence
Vale held at home with trapdoor looming
Match stats
Team: Gauci – Humphreys, C.Hall, Gordon (Headley) – Gabriel, Walters (Croasdale), Garrity, Campbell – G.Hall (Archer), Stockley (Brown), Waine (Sherif)
Subs: Amos, Magloire
Yellows: Humphreys
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
There was very little quality or entertainment from either side, and It is difficult at times to believe that these are full time professional footballers. The last few games have just been dreadful! Brady in all fairness was given no chance of avoiding relegation especially after the last transfer window. Major surgery is needed with a lot of the under contract players needing moving on. The one big hope we have is, when we gained promotion two years ago, rarely did we play well. A total rethink and rebuild is needed regardless of the cost. Carol and Hancock insist the £6 million losses from our last league two promotion were all purely football related, which I find unbelievable. With the Dipepa transfer money, plus possibly £2 or £3 million the club generates through gate receipts, sponsorship deals, T.V., the club shop, money generated through the main stand and Tommy’s. A season of league two football costs over £10 million a season. Really? Carol and Hancock are making a pigs ear out of running our club, and continue to talk to us like idiots.
I am sure that everyone will agree that you’re not going to win a game a football when you only register one shot on target in 90 minutes. Not sure where we will get one from but our main focus must be on bringing in at least 2 strikers who bring their goal scoring boots with them. Roll on next season, keep the faith , Up the Vale