Burton Albion 0-0 Port Vale – Marosi helps Valiants claim point after controversial Byers red card

A controversial red card handed to George Byers largely ruined the game as a spectacle but the Valiants still managed to claim a point after Saturday’s early kick-off game.

First-half

Captain George Byers was controversially sent-off on fourteen minutes as Vale finished the half a man down. 

It was a keenly contested but scrappy opening. There were a few half chances during a fairly uneventful first 14 minutes.

Vale’s first attempt came on four minutes but Tolaj just failed to connect from close range after Clark’s flick-on. There was a further chance for the Swiss striker on six minutes but his thumping volley was blocked by fellow Vale player Curtis. The home side threatened with an eleventh minute free-kick but it was comfortable for Marosi.

The game sprung to life on fourteen minutes when George Byers was controversially sent-off for a full-bloodied tackle. We may be accused of Vale bias here, but it looked exceptionally harsh and not even a foul. Byers’ foot was not high and he won the ball. Nevertheless, it stood and meant Vale were a man down in the first-half of an away League game for the second match in a row.

There was a chance for Burton soon after when Debrah’s loose back-pass let in Burton but Marosi was quick to stub out the danger. Vale then had a chance on 22 minutes when Tolaj found Hall but he drove the ball over.

The home side then started to take advantage of their extra man with Marosi called into action on the half-hour mark when Debrah ducked a header.  Moments later McKiernan drove the ball just wide from another opportunity with Marosi beaten.

Vale had been forced onto the defensive after the controversial red but they held out to make it all-square at the break. However, the away fans were still fuming at the officials for what seemed a very harsh decision to dismiss Byers.

Half-time: Burton Albion 0-0 Port Vale

Second-half

Goalkeeper Marko Marosi made two crucial saves as Darren Moore’s Valiant ten men matched the home side in the second-half to take a point back to Burslem.

There was an early chance for Tolaj before football rightly took second stage as, sadly, there was a medical emergency in the away end. After a delay of around ten minutes, play resumed.

Vale were managing to contain their opponents but the man advantage meant that Vale’s opportunities were scarce. As the game hit 65 minutes, Beesley had a good chance for the home side but he headed wide. Four minutes later, the same man put another effort wide as Vale rode their luck at times.

There was then a rare chance for Vale. Mitch Clark delivered the ball on 72 minutes and Curtis was inches away with a header. It was the Irishman’s last action as he was then replaced by Ben Waine.

Burton pressed again and Armer headed over on 77 minutes. Tyrese Shade was next as he was denied by a fine save from Marosi on 80 minutes. As a result, Darren Moore brought on Kyle John and Mo Faal to replace the tiring legs of Tolaj and Gordon on 84 minutes.

Despite eleven minutes of additional time, Vale were still looking strong and matching their opponents. There was a late scare as Funso Ojo made a great challenge in his box to stop one chance. But Vale were also creating chances late on and Debrah went close with a header on 97 minutes. Beesley could have won it in the dying moments but he was denied by Marosi as it finished all-square.

Full-time: Burton Albion 0-0 Port Vale