Antwoine Hackford’s goal was in vain as Andy Cook scored twice to earn Bradford City a win over a Port Vale side which finished with ten men. Here’s our match report…
Team news
It was no great surprise that Darren Moore once again rang the changes although some of his choices will have raised eyebrows. Jason Lowe was picked in midfield, Antwoine Hackford surprisingly selected upfront and there was no recognised left wingback. There was some welcome news with fit again Mitch Clark named on the bench.
First-Half
The Valiants shipped an early Andy Cook goal as they ended the first forty five minutes very much second-best to Bradford.
While Vale could do little about the opener, the lack of chances they created afterwards will be a cause of concern. All the first-half’s chances fell to Bradford with Vale looking out of form, disjointed and toothless upfront. The goal came from a throw-in that was flicked on and Cook’s powerful drive gave Ripley no chance as it went in off the underside of the bar. There had been just two minutes played.
There were a number of early chances for Bradford to stretch their lead and few would have argued if they did. A Richards cross was hit over his own bar by Connor Hall, Lowe lost the ball to Pointon whose shot was saved while a Huntington header from a free-kick was saved by Ripley. In contrast Vale created nothing. The two strikers – Stockley and Hackford – were not linking up at all while there was no creativity from a central midfield pairing of Croasdale and Lowe. For 35 minutes, Vale were distinctly second-best.
The Valiants at least sprung belatedly into life for the last ten minutes as they started to string some passes together. However, it was too little, too late and failed to create any meaningful chances. Instead it was Bradford who should have scored. Richards turned Cover and Cook should have scored from close range. Vale were fortunate to be just the one goal down at the break.
Half-time: Bradford City 1-0 Port Vale
Second-Half
It was at least a better second-half display after the Valiants’ scored early on through youngster Antwoine Hackford. However, Andy Cook’s second goal gave the home side a deserved three points as Vale were reduced to fits and starts of good play.
The Vale goal came from a Jesse Debrah long throw. Stockley did brilliantly to nod the ball back and Hackford powered the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the box.
However, parity lasted just ten minutes as Bradford countered strongly. First Debrah blocked a dangerous Halliwell ball and Kavanagh mis-kicked before Cook made no mistake. The veteran got ahead of Debrah to head home a free-kick on 58 minutes. It put the home side back into the lead and also in the ascendancy as they looked to add to their goal advantage.
Despite the pressure, the Valiants did have a golden opportunity to equalise on 64 minutes. Croasdale found Stockley and his header looked destined for the corner of the net only for Walker to pull off a fine save. However, it was the home side who had the majority of chances with the ever-dangerous Cook almost netting a hat-trick on 72 minutes only for his effort to be blocked by Heneghan.
There was a dramatic end to the game as the Valiants pushed for an equaliser. Hackford had another effort, Sang shot over, Stockley headed wide and sub Tolaj had two attempts as Vale finished really strongly. There was still time for a baffling dismissal which will surely be disputed by Vale. Sang was sent-off for violent conduct when it appeared at worst to be a collision and a yellow card offence. The red card was too late to influence things but capped a bitterly disappointing Boxing Day for the Valiants.
Full-time: Bradford City 2-1 Port Vale
Reflections
Vale were all too often a pale shadow of the side which had topped the table earlier this season. Passages of this game were a throwback to last season. Lots of Bradford’s most dangerous play came from their right wing with Vale lacking a natural left footer on that flank.
Also, just like last season, Vale cannot expect to win games if they only play well for patches of the ninety minutes. When the Valiants were on top (such as in the last five minutes) they looked a good side. The problem was that the times they were on top were too brief and the side couldn’t build any consistent pressure.
The constant squad rotations are also starting to wear thin and could be seen as to the detriment of this Port Vale side. Is it any wonder that, of the outfield players, Croasdale and Hall are usually the most consistent performers because they so often start the games? Regardless of the number of games and the need to “rest” players, it may be better for the manager to select his best eleven and largely stick with it.
Players
Hackford’s goal came from one of the rare moments when the two strikers, Stockley and Hackford, were able to link-up but for all of the first-half the duo were too isolated from each other. The young Sheff Utd loanee at least had a couple of efforts on goal, while Stockley was also unlucky to score, so at least upfront Vale looked occasionally dangerous.
The problems lay elsewhere. I’ve already mentioned how Bradford targeted the left side of the Vale defence and it’s odd that neither Grant nor Shorrock was in the squad. Meanwhile. the central midfield of Lowe and Croasdale lacked creativity and none of the subs were able to decisively influence the game although Tolaj at least looked lively. The back three was OK but Debrah was at fault for the second goal which prompts the question why Smith, reliable for so many seasons, is not in the starting eleven. Meanwhile, Ripley can’t be blamed for either of the goals.
Overall, it was another below par display by the often rotated Port Vale squad.
Stats
Starting XI: Ripley – Debrah (Tolaj), Heneghan, Hall – Cover (Richards), Croasdale (Paton), Lowe (Clark), Sang – Chislett – Hackford, Stockley
Subs: Amos, Smith, Curtis
Goals: Hackford 49
Bookings: Chislett, Debrah
Dismissal: Sang
Attendance: 18,330
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.
Croasdale and Lowe would have lacked creativity because they’re not creative players.
Time for Moore to go but who would take over. He as not a clue and the owners have always said they are not football people. Let Sir John take the job until the end of the season. Even Micky Adams would be a good stand in, totally awful and hopeless manager.
Totally awful manager and tactician not even Grant or Shorrock on the bench. The situation as regards to Garrity needs to come out of the open as I think he could be on his way once Jan 1st comes about. The owners have a real poser after giving him a 5and half year contract. Barmy at or level.
2nd best to everything yet again. Depressing form and no answers to it unfortunately 🙁
Far too many team changes for each game, the team is set up too defensively and play 20 yards too deep. I thought that when we started with Cover and John on each flank it gave us the legs and capacity to get further up the field. Since Garrity’s absence there is very little attacking support from the midfield. To win games of football you have to score more goals than the opposition, to score goals you have to create chances, to create chances you have to get quality ball to the strikers and give them the opportunities. Not sure what they do on the training ground but it can’t be attack minded because this is not demonstrated on match day. Keep the faith, up the Vale.
Not great today for Vale.
The 5and1/2 yearcontract the manager got is barmy at our level. Obvious the owners do not delve into a managers background. We cannot go on like this. No Grant or Shorrock on the bench.The Garrity situation needs to come out in the open as I am sure he is on his way out in January. Never as the managerfully revealed the long standing injury.
Another depressing performance. Taxi for Mr Moore now! Let’s get a new manager in now before January window or all the good early season work will be for nothing. Defeat at Grimsby would be the final nail in the coffin in my view.
It’s official, the wheels have fallen off ! Yet more changes to the starting team, and a continuation of the disjointed tactical performances of recent matches. The quality of Paton and Curtis should surely be regularly starting games, and the absence of the genuinely left sided players is extremely odd. In his next pre match interview, Moore must be pinned down to justify his wholesale changes to every starting line up. Results over the last 7-8 games indicate it’s a weakness not a strength. Today’s team lacked balance, despite all the right player options being available.
How much more rope are the owners going to give Moore before he slides us down the table? What were they thinking giving him a 5 and half year contract? He is ruining the best squad in the division with his constant changes and negative play.
They may like him, so make him head of the charity side of the club and get someone who has got a clue about football as manager.
Having watched the game on TV my summary would be could not handle a proven centre forward particularly at set pieces, a midfield that was completely overrun, Cover again proving that may be useful going forward when asked to defend he’s extremely vulnerable, lack of strength up front with little support for Stockley, final point harsh sending off for Sang but won’t be missed. Comments from various sources can’t be wrong when the continuous changing of the starting eleven produces these results.
Well I’ve started saving my cash now, there was 9 of us all together, sorry Vale we can not watch the same dribble sorry I mean drivel every week, either same excuses,like a lot to learn, we must find a way around the problem.If you battle and loose so be it, but Moore chops and changes the side every week, this is not the Port Vale I know.If you Carol want to keep this so called manager in place so be it.Its time he went NOW, before the January transfer window,if you have not learned anything from this week alone you will never learn this manager is NO tactician,neither is he a man management expert, you are making the same mistake with him as you did with Flitcroft.i have served Vale over a good many decades I can not watch his style of football, I felt totally out of place when we played Bradford, not watching the match,BUT from the highlights I’ve seen they were no better than usual PLEASE Get a manager that will put some guts and pride back in the side .One bit of advice If we get in a penalty shoot out don’t let Debrah take a penalty he will pass it back to Ripley,P.S Happy birthday Carol
So, what now for Vale?
Another, midfielder is heading for a spell in the treatment room in an already struggling midfield. As every comment has said, we are completely disjointed all over the pitch due to changes in all areas on the pitch.
Moore can’t settle the team with his best 11 and I’m not convinced that he knows what to do next.
“Taxi for Mr Moore now! Let’s get a new manager in now before January window or all the good early season work will be for nothing.”
Obviously what we need is to get rid of Moore and replace him with the manager who pulled us up from mid-table to top earlier this season.
The squad of players bought into Vale appear talented players, however ,looking back, perhaps too many players are on the books now, and this has caused frictions within the greater squad. The manager is still unable to select a consistent team therefore, the inevitable mis- understandings are played out in a league match game. All clubs start the season with fresh players, and it takes time to mould into a forceful playing team BUT at this stage of the season Port Vale is still medalling with players, hence our inability to score goals and dominate the midfield, while other clubs have a well settled team (ie. Carlisle ) though perhaps not so talented individuals.
Will, somebody please have words with Mr. Moore as he seems to be a very confused Manager.
Your comments on the players particularly the 3 cumbersome central defenders Moore insists on playing. They were played with the sole intention of nullifying Andy Cook’s goal threat, yet he scored twice! One of which was from a free header from a corner. And while Ripley may not have been directly at fault for either goal, I’m sure when Cook decided to turn 30 yards out (with none of the 3 cumbersome defenders tight on him) and try his luck without looking up, he had studied enough of Ripley to know there’s a good chance he wouldn’t be anywhere near his goal line! It was another totally inept first half performance which Moore inevitably forces upon us, followed by a now usual, flood the pitch with goal shy forwards running around like headless chickens with no purpose or meaning due to this disastrous manager. Carol as a football club owner is proving just as disastrous! One dreads to think what the clubs losses will be for last season and this even with the £2 million for Dipepa.
Sorry from a free kick !!! I’d got my head in my hands by this point !