Leyton Orient 1-1 Port Vale: David Worrall scored the first goal of Darrell Clarke’s Port Vale managerial reign as his side recorded an away draw on Saturday afternoon.
What did you think of the Vale’s performance under their new manager? Post a comment at the end of the article
New Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke made three changes including a full League debut for loan centre-half Mustapha Olagunji. There was also a change of formation as Vale switched to 4-4-2.
After a scrappy opening, the Valiants started to take control of possession and had a number of chances to open the scoring. Nathan Smith and Alex Hurst were both unable to find the target from corners while the lively Hurst was denied by a fine save on sixteen minutes.
As the half progressed it became a more even affair. The home side threatened through Cisse’s drive and a shot from Jobi McAnuff which forced Scott Brown into his first real save of the game. At the break, the Valiants’ much maligned backline was looking reasonably comfortable as it ended 0-0.
The Valiants got off to a great start in the second period when David Worrall beat his man in the area and scored with a curling effort. It was the winger’s third of the season. It could have been two moments later when Kurtis Guthrie’s header was deflected wide and Tom Conlon had a shot blocked.
However, there was a blow for the Valiants when Worrall was forced off injured to be replaced by Oyeleke. Vale’s defence looked solid but a good run by Brophy saw his cross find Dan Kemp who turned and shot into the corner to level the scores.
Both sides then could have taken the lead when Rodney’s header hit the bar following good work from Alex Hurst while Dan Johnson shot wide from close in.
A lapse in concentration by debutant Olagunji nearly proved costly when it let in Dan Johnson but Scott Brown saved well and Nathan Smith cleared of the line. However, Darrell Clarke was concerned enough to bring on veteran Leon Legge to replace the loanee. Legge’s experience helped settle the Vale backline and despite some late scares at the end, the much maligned Valiants defence held on to record a useful away draw.
Full-time: Leyton Orient 1-1 Port Vale
What did you think of the Vale’s performance under their new manager? Post a comment at the end of the article
Port Vale: Brown – Gibbons, Smith, Olagunji (Legge), Crookes – Worrall (Oyeleke), Joyce, Conlon, Hurst – Rodney, Guthrie
Subs: Cullen, Montano, Taylor, Scott, Swan
Early days for a positive opinion but it has to be an improvement on our displays in recent matches. Bit surprised at the quality of the Subs bench but let’s see what happens on Tuesday at Vale Park. We have though to immediately start assuming that once we go in front we CAN win.
Good start for Darrell Clarke. Nice to see 442.
What an interesting week, a new Director of Football and a new Manager but the problem hasn’t gone away, I am sure that you will agree having watched yesterday’s game we stiil haven’t got a potent strike force, bless Guthrie, he is probably only capable of scoring 2 goals a season and not the 22 that Vale need. At least grit and determination was there to see but it’s that bit of class and style that we are lacking, you can’t make chicken soup out of chicken shit. So let’s look forward to Tuesday, Stevenage have improved of late and will come to Vale Park to do battle, I think we can match them in this department, shame Mr Pope isn’t fit, say what you like about this guy but he is the best centre forward that Port Vale own, and by a long way!!! Keep the faith, with clubs around like Grimsby, Barrow and Southend we should survive, that is of course if the season is played out?