Stevenage 1-1 Port Vale: Devante Rodney scored the club’s first League goal of the season as the Valiants were held for the third time this season
Image: Devante Rodney found the net
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Port Vale were missing captain Tom Conlon while manager Darrell Clarke made three changes with Johnson, Cass and Wilson coming in for Benning, Garrity and Proctor.
The Valiants were up against it in the opening period as they came under intense pressure from the home team. One chance saw Stevenage rattle the woodwork but they failed to turn their dominance into goals.
Vale then turned the game on its head with a goal that came completely against the run of play. Good play from Worrall and Jones saw the ball come to Devante who slotted home,
However, the Valiants soon suffered a double blow after taking the lead. Firstly, influential defender Leon Legge was injured and was eventually forced to leave the pitch. At the same time, Stevenage levelled the score from a Norris free-kick.
It could have been worst for Vale at the break but some ecentric goalkeeping from Lucas Covolan went unpunished.
Darrell Clarke made further changes at the break, bringing Ben Garrity into the midfield and altering formation and it resulted in an improved second-half display from the Valiants.
Both sides had chances to win it in the closing stages. Brad Walker shot over, Vale had claims for a penalty turned down while Stevenage had a shot cleared off the line.
However, at the end of ninety minutes it finished all-square with Vale pleased to get off the mark but still frustrated to have not recorded their first three points.
Full-time: Stevenage 1-1 Port Vale
What did you think of the game? Share your thoughts and post a comment at the bottom of the article.
Match stats
Port Vale: Covolan; Smith, Legge (Martin), Johnson (Garrity); Cass, Pett, Walker, Jones; Worrall, Wilson (Proctor), Rodney
Subs: Stone, Benning, Politic, Amoo
Attendance: 2,727
Port Vale bookings: Smith, Walker, Wilson
3/4/3 _ 3/5/2 has Clarke any idea of the best system to suit the players, it seems not. Common and Taylor with a defensive midfielder need to come in as soon as fit. 4/3/3 is still our best option, got us results before and will do again. Find it hard to believe this clown was bought in and Askey sacked. The only way is down with this idiot in charge, his players now, any improvement, I don’t think so in fact we are worse. Look at the table, what can’t speak can’t lie. Feel sorry for the owners they have been let down by the people advising them and the club has been left with a joke manager. Non league beckons unless drastic action is taken.