Port Vale couldn’t make it eleven games unbeaten in the League as they were beaten at Priestfield. Here’s our match report…
Team news
Captain Ben Garrity missed out on the game through injury but midfield partner Ryan Croasdale was fit to return and was paired with Tom Sang. Jayden Stockley also returned upfront where he was flanked by Rico Richards and Ronan Curtis.
Report
Vale supporters felt their side was denied a penalty late in the first-half after Ronan Curtis appeared to be brought down by the goalkeeper.
It was a physical battle in the first forty five minutes with the home side having the majority of possession, but there was little skill on show from either side.
Gillingham favoured a direct approach which meant a busy half for Vale’s back three but they coped well with the home side not having a clearcut opportunity. The same was true for the Valiants but wheras Gillingham lacked a cutting edge, it was the final ball to the forwards which was often Vale’s undoing.
The home side had the first chance when they broke on the right but the low ball into the box evaded everyone. Then Vale had their first chance when a flash of skill from Rico Richards sent Ronan Curtis through. He, in turn, playing in Jayden Stockley but his pass wasn’t picked up by a teammate.
There was another chance for Vale on 38 minutes when Cover set up Sang whose ball into the box found Stockley but the forward was blocked off. There were also loud appeals for penalty when Curtis was felled in the box. It certainly looked like the keeper had caught the Vale forward but the referee was unmoved. As the half entered eight minutes of additional time, it was Gillingham who finished the stronger but without causing any definite chances.
Both sides had had periods in possession but with both sides pressing there was no chance for anyone to find enough time and space to take control of play as the half continued in largely harum scarum fashion. That penalty appeal aside, there wasn’t much for fans of either side to be excited about.
It was goalless at the break.
Half-time: Gillingham 0-0 Port Vale
A rare miss from Jayden Stockley from the best move of the game proved costly as Vale conceded late on in the second-half.
The home side were first to threaten when they were awarded a free-kick in the opening minute but it curled just wide. A good Vale move then saw Grant have a shot blocked. However, the opening period of the second-half started in a similar manner to the first with little quality on display.
Arguably the best move of the game so far came on 57 minutes when Ryan Croasdale broke on the left and his low cross found Jayden Stockley in the box but he fired wide.
However, that was one of very few chances as the game continued to be largely a hard fought midfield battle. Darren Moore rang the changes replacing his forward trio but even with fresh legs Vale couldn’t penetrate a solid Gills backline.
The game’s defining moment came on 79 minutes when Gillingham attacked on their right. It looked like a foul on Conor Grant, but it wasn’t given, and Andrews got ahead of Debrah with his close range header giving Ripley no chance. Vale threw on both Paton and Tolaj in the closing stages but couldn’t get an equaliser as it finished in defeat in Kent.
Full-time: Gillingham 1-0 Port Vale
Reflections
This game was a real physical battle for Darren Moore’s side. Moore has said he is still not satisfied with his team yet – and perhaps this was an example of Vale not picking the right final ball at times. Nevertheless, other aspects of the game – defensive resilience, pressing and determination were largely much in evidence. The Vale were just missing that key pass to unlock the Gills defence. The visitors arguably deserved a point after a close game (and some key decisions didn’t go their way) but it was not to be as the team’s unbeaten run came to an end. It didn’t happen after his first award but perhaps this time the curse of the manager of the month award has caught up with Darren Moore?
Our player ratings…
- Ripley – another solid game and had no chance with the goal
- Debrah (replaced on 84) – dependable on the right of back three but lost his man for the goal
- Heneghan – prominent in centre of back three, dominant in air, contender for MOTM
- Hall – captain for the day and, one error aside, as reliable as usual
- Cover – another solid performer, managed to get forward occasionally
- Croasdale – did a lot of unsung work in the middle (our star man)
- Sang – a little hit and miss in first-half but more impressive in second-half
- Grant (replaced on 84) – like Cover a solid performance, his dead ball delivery was decent
- Richards (replaced on 45) – not in the game much but still showed occasional glimpses of class
- Stockley (replaced on 68) – a typically hard-working performance for his 500th career game
- Curtis (replaced on 68) – impressive attitude and often involved in Vale’s best moves
- Chislett (sub on 45) – more involved than Richards but unable to influence the game
- Hackford (sub on 68) – gave a different option to Stockley with his pace but not involved as much
- Shorrock (sub on 68) – played in a more advanced role, some nice touches
- Paton (sub on 84) – brought on as a last-ditch attacking move but to no avail
- Tolaj (sub on 84) – just like Paton, a last-ditch attacking move almost on end of late chance
Stats
Starting XI: Port Vale: Ripley – Debrah (Paton), Heneghan, Hall – Cover, Croasdale, Sang, Grant (Tolaj) – Richards (Chislett), Stockley (Hackford), Curtis (Shorrock)
Subs: Amos, Lowe
Goals: none
Bookings: Stockley
Attendance: 6,267 (523 visitors)
Competition: League Two
This component may not immediately update after the match has finished
What did you think of the game and the performance? Scroll down and submit a comment.
Scrappy game , better to forget and move on two the next.
Terrible ,Debrah is not good enough for Vale, if he cant pass back to the Goalkeeper he panics, Stocklley should have of gone to specsavers, the least said about this Performance the better,It’s not because they lost its how they lost.We go again
It was bound to happen at some point. Onwards and upwards. UTV.
Awful display if truth be told. Lacking composure and wrong decision making in the final 3rd all to often. Half chances not taken and bad miss from stockley at 0 0. For me to many changes and substitute not at correct times. Darren has had a good run of results but his constant tinkering has unravelled in last 2 games and momentum at risk of stalling. Big game next week to nip it in the bud. To finish still in Gillingham at time of writing so a 4 hour coach journey to come. On plus side still top of league. UTV
Battailing this was not, did not look like the side of late, in my opinion poor performance
Debrah not good enough , the goal we conceded He was not looking at the ball , but holding the player , who still scored ,ALL he does is hoof the ball down the pitch and not a vale player near it , he is to slow
Too much tinkering by the manager and some players content to see out the match at such a slow pace. Smith has got to come in for Debrah who is in a one track mode to Ripley. And also long term injuries not looking good, so much for our unique medical team.
Vale had an excellent run of results, but this was an opportunity for three more points thrown away against a team very low on confidence after a few defeats. Moore’s starting selections continue to surprise. At first glance they always seem below top strength, and yet the club’s position says otherwise….that is until the Barnsley and Gillingham consecutive losses.