Lorent Tolaj’s late penalty was saved as the Valiants failed to come back from three goals down. Here’s our match report.
Team news
In a rare move from Port Vale manager Darren Moore, he named an unchanged starting eleven from the side which had thrashed Bromley 5-0 the previous weekend. Jack Shorrock maintained his place as left wingback with George Byers and Ronan Curtis on the bench. Veteran Jason Lowe replaced Ethan Chislett in the squad.
First-Half
Vale were facing a tough task in the second-half as they trailed by two goals at the break.
The Valiants’ first chance saw Connor Hall half-volley over with Carlisle’s first attempt seeing a Dennis header go over.
Vale forced a number of corners that caused problems. Shorrock’s inswingers were causing the Carlisle stopper issues while Stockley fired wide from a Clark set piece. Another good move from Clark saw him feed Croasdale in the box but his attempt was blocked.
The home fans called for a penalty after Nathan Smith appeared to handle in the box but the ref waved play on. On 23 minutes, Carlisle had another attempt but Whelan’s effort was saved by Amos. Moments later, Dennis fired another effort over and Fusire also fired over.
Carlisle were now asking questions of the Vale defence and they took the lead on 36 minutes. Shorrock tried to clear but his clearance was blocked. Georgie Kelly took the ball on and calmly finished past Amos to make it 1-0. The home side then doubled their lead on 42 minutes. Kelly’s cross was not cleared, Fusire hit the post and Dennis turned the rebound in from close range.
It had been a poor performance from the Valiants and they would need to up their game in the second 45 minutes.
Half-time: Carlisle Utd 2-0 Port Vale
Second-Half
Vale finally came to life after the hour mark with two goals but to no avail, as the home side held on for what may be a priceless three points in their relegation battle.
There were two changes at the break. Sam Hart replaced Jack Shorrock and somewhat surprisingly, Walters, who was one of the few players to have a decent half, was replaced by Byers. However, Carlisle made it 3-0 just three minutes in when defender Hayden got above Smith to head home.
Vale just weren’t in the game at that point and had failed to create a chance with ten minutes of the half played. On 57 minutes, Nathan Smith had the first chance as he turned in the box but his shot was saved. The Valiants finally did find the net on the hour mark when Stockley headed in from close range after Garrity pulled the ball back.
Smith blocked a fierce Fusire drive on 67 minutes before Vale made it 3-2. Mitch Clark delivered from the right, Tolaj had an attempt and in the resulting melee Sam Hart fired home. Moments later, Hart’s fierce cross nearly resulted in an own goal. Vale were now pushing for an equaliser and Debrah had another chance.
On 77 minutes, Garrity was forced off through injury with Curtis coming on. The sub delivered a corner on 82 minutes but Debrah’s header was saved. Richards came on for Hall with four minutes remaining as Vale chased an equaliser.
It should have come on 91 minutes as a high boot felled Stockley in the box. However, Tolaj’s penalty was well saved by Breeze. It was a dramatic finish but it was not to be as Vale came away pointless.
Full-time: Carlisle Utd 3-2 Port Vale
Summary
For two thirds of this game, Vale were second-best and it took Stockley’s goal to give Vale confidence and also sow the seeds of doubts for what has been a struggling Carlisle side. Vale’s better half-hour was as much due to their improved play as to the home side’s self-doubt. However, Carlisle had been on top for two thirds of the game and Moore’s men had left themselves with too much to do and not enough time to do it. The Valiants now need to put in a ninety minute, rather than thirty minute performance on Monday.
Players
For an hour Vale were well off the boil. The defence, normally so resilient, were hesitant and leaky while the forward line starved of service. However, that changed after Stockley’s equaliser. Tolaj, very quiet up till that point became more influential while Clark, arguably Vale’s best player over the 90 minutes, was marauding on the right. It was also nice to see Sam Hart, subject of a fair bit of criticism this season, find the target. However, too many Port Vale players had poor games and it was also worrying to see skipper Ben Garrity having to leave the field.
Stats
Starting XI: Amos – Debrah, Smith, Hall (Richards) – Clark, Croasdale, Walters (Byers) , Shorrock (Hart) – Garrity (Curtis) – Stockley, Tolaj
Subs: Broome, Lowe, Umolu
Goals: Stockley (61), Hart (69)
Yellow cards: Byers
Attendance: 12,305
Competition: League Two
What did you think of the game and the performance? Scroll down and submit a comment.
Shocking first half performance where it was plain to see that Vale didn’t have the desire to mix it with Carlisle who were desperate to win and demonstrated that all over the park. You only need to look at the stats, no shots on target for Vale in the first half. So onto Monday, we need to get at Grimsby from the off and show them why we are top of the league and more importantly why we want remain top. Any Vale fan will know that we never make it easy. So fasten your seatbelts, 3 cup finals until we lift the league 2 trophy. Keep the faith, Up the Vale.
Carlisle battling to escape to the National League. Too many off the boil and we are looking a tired unit at times. Chislett not even on the bench and sheer waste of a talented player. There have been times when we start so slow and get overrun in the first half hour like today. 3 points vital on Monday and 4 points from the last 2 games a total of 83 points .
Much have I criticised Darren for changing the team too much. This match should have seen Hart replace Shorrock in the starting line up if only to stem the expected onslaught from Carlisle who were desperate for the points. My strategy would be hold what you have and bring Shorrock on late to nick it not the other way round. I hope Ben Garrity’s injury doesn’t rule him out for the remaining games?
Early comment should read Carlisle avoiding drop into National League.
First 30 minutes too slow and chasing game and then too concede 4 minutes into 2nd half sloppy. Now Garrity off injured and Chislett not even on the bench and veteran Lowe on subs bench. Good comeback but not quite there, so 7 points at least from last 3 games and see where we end up.
Shock result, and huge opportunity missed to consolidate an automatic promotion place. Carlisle obviously played out of their skins, but surely the Vale should have been fully prepared for that given the game’s critical importance to both teams. To lose this vital game to relegation candidates after four successive outstanding performances is bewildering. That said, a 12,000 attendance also contributed decisively to Carlisle’s self belief and will power.
It was simple errors, we just didn’t close them down around the goal area. They were fi ding easy passes where as of late we would have gone at the ayer with the ball and picked up any potential outlets. I dont understand why it changed just for the 50minutes of the match yesterday but just hope on Monday its back to basics. Challenge for the ball and any doubt boot it out or up to Tolaj if we can. Let’s get behind them and get 3 points Monday to stay top, come on Vale 😉
GAME OVER,,,MOVE ON,,NUF SED
After 20 minutes , Moore told the players to drop deep , and that was a big mistake. We should have tore into them , because Carlisle were defensively poor . No use crying about it now though. We need to win the last 3 and lift that trophy as Champions. If Moore and the players can’t do that , they’re not worth their salt.
No one can moan about not winning, we started slowly and with little energy or desire to win their personal battles. We missed John dreadful with young Shorrock looking out of his depth at times. All over the pitch Vale looked under the weather and for some reason Carlisle were running through our midfield at will. Everyone could see Shorrock was struggling and our midfield was being over run, yet Moore just stood there obviously to what was going on and happy to wait until halftime when we were 2-0 down before making changes. Moore has tinkered with things for the majority of the season when changes didn’t need making, but when the team is struggling and being over run in certain areas, and players are looking towards the bench for encouragement and advice, Nothing! The third goal came as Smithy unusually allowed his man a free jump at the ball after Byers gave away a silly and unnecessary free kick. Personally I thought Carlisle weren’t that good and the fact Vale could have pulled it back to 3-3 if not for a poorly taken penalty without playing a lot better proved that. Tolaj’s penalties do go in at a good height to be saved and sadly for the Vale on this occasion the keeper guessed right. I am worried about Garrity, he’s not looked at his best all season even when pushed into his preferred position. His outburst at the supporters possibly deserved, was very much out of character, and to me he just doesn’t seem to be enjoying his football as much as previously. He is the type who would play with injuries so if this is part of the problem who knows. This result will almost certainly give Moore his chance to bring Byers back into the team although I’m not sure he will be able to cope with the physical intensity of this league.
You were second best all,day long against a Carlisle team,with belief,passion,and Agression.and the will to win.your arrogance of thinking,all you had to do was ,turn up,and it was yours,back fired.
Great honest report, Carlisle fan speaking. best team won.good luck for promotion. Long season & you’ve worked hard, you deserve something