Port Vale 2-3 Doncaster Rovers – Croasdale, Chislett goals in vain as familiar defensive frailties continue

Ryan Croasdale scored the first Vale goal at home this season and Ethan Chislett added another from the spot but a counter attacking Doncaster Rovers side scored three times as they took all the points from Vale Park’s early kick-off.

Team news

Darren Moore rang the changes including handing a full debut to deadline day loan signing Brandon Cover. Lorent Tolaj also returned to the starting eleven while Connor Hall also returned after injury. A strong bench included Jayden Stockley, George Byers, Ethan Chislett and Benicio.

First-half

Midfielder Ryan Croasdale scored his first goal in Port Vale colours as the Valiants recovered from an early goal to make it all-square at the break.

In a scrappy start, neither side was able to keep possession and it took until fifteen minutes for the first clear chance. Unfortunately for Darren Moore’s side, their opponents took full advantage. Veteran Billy Sharp played a through ball which was picked up by Luke Molyneux, he skipped past Connor Hall and his powerful finish gave Ripley no chance. The visitors could have made it two but a cross from Gibson was headed over by Bailey. Another chance saw Kyle John make an excellent challenge to stop another break.

It was tough viewing for Vale fans as the side failed to make any clearcut chances although debutant Cover was impressing with some strong runs on the right. There was a half-chance for Curtis from a poor goal kick but he took too long and was robbed. However, the Valiants did get back into the match when Ben Heneghan won the ball and fed Lorent Tolaj. His excellent through ball found Ryan Croasdale whose low drive restored parity on 29 minutes.

The goal sparked Vale into life with a Ronan Curtis free-kick headed behind and a long-range effort from Cover deflected. There was late pressure from Rovers but it was all-square at the break.

Half-time: Port Vale 1-1 Doncaster Rovers

Second-half

It was the visitors who took home all three points after two brilliant counter attacking moves early in the second-half were capitalised on. Vale did counter and scored a late Chislett penalty but it was too little, too late.

Vale made a half-time change with Benicio replacing Curtis but it was the visitors who got off the perfect start. A cross found Billy Sharp in the box and although his first attempt was saved by Ripley, the ball came back to the veteran who made no mistake from close range to make it 2-1 to Rovers.

Vale countered with a move that saw Connor Hall put a glancing header wide from a Sam Hart cross. However, a devastating counter attack by the visitors saw Luke Molyneux found by Jordan Gibson. He was too quick for Sam Hart and a second excellent finish by Molyneux gave the visitors a two goal cushion on the hour mark. It prompted Darren Moore to make a number of changes.

A good run from sub Benicio resulted in no-one being on the end of a dangerous ball into the box. Another dangerous cross from the sub was met by the head of Jayden Stockley but it was acrobatically cleared off the line.

There were confident Doncaster appeals for a penalty on 77 minutes after a Byers challenge in the box but the ref waved them away. Rovers came close to a fourth when Ripley didn’t reach a cross but Bailey headed over.

There was late concern when Ripley went down and received lengthy treatment but the stopper was able to continue. Vale then had a good spell late on when Stockley went close from a ball from Byers. Moments later, Vale were then awarded a penalty on 86 minutes when Stockley was felled in the box. Ethan Chislett stepped up to score from the spot and make it 2-3.

There were eight minutes of added time added on, mostly due to the Ripley injury, as Vale looked for a dramatic finish. There was a drive from Chislett and a late defensive header that nearly went in but Vale couldn’t find the net as they ran out of time to equalise.

It was a second successive poor result for the Valiants and like last week they will need to learn quickly and move on from this one. The pressure is certainly on and the fans will not be happy.

Full-time: Port Vale 2-3 Doncaster Rovers

Final thoughts:

This was another  disappointing result for Darren Moore’s expensively compiled side. However, there still looks like there is more to come from this Port Vale side with the overhauled squad having not yet gelled. It was a slow start to both halves and there were only patches of good Vale play rather than sustained pressure from the home side. Better play may come over time and patience may be needed. Darren Moore also needs to decide on his best starting eleven and best combinations to help that process.

However, there were too many long balls and the forwards still aren’t linking up as comfortably or as confidently as you would like. It was also worrying to see evidence of a leaky defence still in place and I thought Connor Hall was beaten on the ground for two of the Rovers goals. There will now be considerable pressure on Moore and co and they will need to stay calm and learn quickly from a second disappointing result in a row.

Pick of the players: I felt that Brandon Cover could be happy with his debut. There was the odd error at the back but he looked confident going forward. Ryan Croasdale’s goal was due reward for another solid performance. Sub Benicio added impetus and trickery as Vale tried to get back into the match.

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