The Wonder Of P.V.F.C.: Port Vale Vs Shrewsbury Town 4th August

Well it had to happen some time, and better for it to happen today than when the season starts. After an unbeaten pre-season so far, the Shrews provided a much needed sterner test for Martin Foyles men today, and Vale's proverbial 'thorn in their side' ex player Dave Hibbert was again to score against them right at the death to give Shrewsbury the win 1-0 on the day. This was probably the kick up the backside Vale needed a week before the season starts against Bristol Rovers, a team promoted above Shrewsbury last term from League Two via the Play-Offs.

Vale started the game somewhat slowly after the last few games where they began by scoring so early. Shrewsbury looked a strong outfit from the start, and it was soon clear that they would be no pushovers. Luke Rodgers and Akpo Sodje again looked to be forming a great partnership up front. But for a string of outstanding saves from Shrew's keeper Glynn Garner, Vale would of ran out comfortable winners of this game. He made a series of magnificent stops to deny Rodgers, Sodje, Talbot and Whitaker to prevent Vale from scoring for the first time this pre-season.

Foyle looked on bemused as his team looked well below par, and were at times second fiddle to the League Two outfit. Vale created most of their best work in the first half, with several efforts almost putting them in front. Luke Rodgers went close after 10 minutes. Sodje met a cross into the area from Mark McGregor. The header mis-directed into the path of Rodgers, whose shot was saved by Garner. Sodje then had two brilliant efforts saved by Garner. The first was a one handed shot, tipped around the post from a Sodje bullet, and the second from a close range header, once again tipped over the crossbar. As the half began to draw to a close Vale grew in confidence and began to show more of their pre- season form, with Tudor and Rocastle both creating chances. Right on half time Vale should of taken the lead but were yet again stopped by another fine save. Paul Edwards played in Jason Talbot but his shot was parried away by Garner into the path of Rodgers, but his effort was again beaten away by the keeper.

As is the custom in these games Foyle started to make changes to the team at half time, taking off Edwards and bringing on Robin Hulbert. This changed the formation around to 4-4-2, with Hulbert in the center alongside Rocastle, Whitaker and Tudor on the flanks. Shrewsbury also rang the changes, bringing on four players, including Dave Hibbert, who was give the bird by the Vale supporters. Shrewsbury gained in confidence after the break, mainly due to Hibbert, and he almost created the first goal after only being on the pitch a few minutes. He swung a right wing cross over the Vale back line to Michael Symes, whose effort was tipped away by Anyon.
Vale continued as they had in the first half and should of gone ahead on 51 minutes. A corner from Tudor was powerfully headed down from Keith Lowe and found unmarked Luke Rodgers, but he flicked his header wide from 5 yards out. Foyle changes both his full backs on 61 minutes, bring on Miller and Miles for McGregor and Talbot. Efforts from Whitaker and a couple of goalmouth scrambles followed as Vale started to throw everything at the Shrewsbury goal. Best of the efforts came when Garner again saved a Sodje effort. Hulbert threaded a pass though to Sodje. His effort from 16 yards out was almost perfect, but Garner flung himself to his left and pushed the ball wide.

Vale made a few late substitutions, with Rodgers being replaced by trialist Callum Willock, who looks like being signed this week, and Tudor being replaced by Cardle. Shrewsbury looked to a late rally on the Vale goal and the last ten minutes showed that Vale still have the ability to lose concentration at the end of matches, something which Foyle will want to prevent when the season starts. Miles was booked for a challenge on Darren Moss, and Shrewsbury almost scored from the resulting free kick. Marc Pugh's free kick was met by a Stewart Drummond header and Anyon pulled off a fine save. He was again called into action on 88 minutes, pushing away a good effort from a Jimmy Ryan free kick. The visitors were rewarded for their late rally right on time when Dave Hibbert drifted unmarked into the area to produce a sneaky little goal and give the Shrews an undeserved win.

After the game manager Foyle said " From my point of view this is a great wake-up call. We had some great chances and their keeper was outstanding with six magnificent saves. But I also want clean sheets. I put our taller players on towards the end to give them a run out, but we have to learn to defend better from free kick and corners. We must stop giving away silly free kicks and putting pressure on ourselves. It was a mistake we made last season in that we lost a game we should of drawn. "
Although Vale lost the game, this pre-season has gone almost perfectly. Up front Vale look to of got a great partnership forming in Rodgers and Sodje. At the back Lowe and Pilkington look solid, with McGregor and Talbot looking good for the full back spots, and Miller and Miles able to replace anyone along the back line. Midfield looks the only area likely to give Foyle headaches. Rocastle, Whitaker, Hulbert, Edwards, Harsley, Cardle and Tudor all look to be fighting for spots on the first team, with only Shane Tudor looking definite so far, with another fine display today to add to his great pre-season. Whitaker and Rocastle seem to have done enough in the middle of the park, with Edwards on the other flank. I'm sure that on Tuesday at Nantwich Foyle will answer his final thought to the big kick off on Saturday against Bristol Rovers who will be buoyant after promotion last year, and will be after a good start to their season. Vale yet again start with a game against a promoted side for the third year in a row, and after winning the last two opening days of the season, will want to do the same again this term. We look to have a good squad this season, with places being challenged for from off the bench, and if we can keep injury free who knows what we can achieve.

Port Vale Line Up