The Wonder Of P.V.F.C.: Port Vale Vs Wrexham Carling Cup 1st Round 14th August 2007

Well there is one thing you can rely Vale to do during a League Cup campaign and that's blow it. After last seasons heroics against Championship outfits Preston, Norwich and Q.P.R. and the valiant efforts put up in taking Tottenham to extra time, this seasons cup run came down to earth with a very big bang as Vale dumped out of the competition on penalties to League Two outfit Wrexham after a drab night at Vale Park.

Vale were forced to change the line up from Saturday as Akpo Sodje had not recovered from his injury, so into the fray stepped up Callum Willock to start for the first time this season. Vale started the game as sharply as they have done every game in the last few weeks, and almost took the lead from the off, as Luke Rodgers skipped past two defenders and sent in a low cross. Danny Whitaker picked up the ball and played a one-two with Rodgers, whose shot hit the crossbar.

Despite the good start it was Wrexham who took the lead after 11 minutes. Danny Williams knocked a through ball to Micheal Proctor, and he duly took the ball past the helpless Keith Lowe and shot past Anyon into the top corner. Lowe and Anyon then played the blame game with each other, but Lowe was clearly at fault, as the through ball had left him completely out of position leaving Anyon stranded.

Luke Rodgers is still the brightest spark in the Vale line up this season and tonight was no exception. He was a constant thorn in the Wrexham defence and it was almost certain Vale would get a goal back as they began to dominate the game. Shane Tudor impressed again and his ability to take on players could prove an asset to Vale this term. He had a great chance to level when Willock played him through, but instead of hitting the ball first time h steadied himself and put the ball just over.

Chance after chance came and it was beginning ti frustrate both the players and the fans at Vales inability to put away one of the efforts. They were finally rewarded when a penalty was awarded on 34 minutes. Tudor's ball over to Willock left him clear in the area. He turned to take a shot, but was needlessly pulled down by a Wrexham defender. After his perfect spot kick on Saturday, Luke Rodgers stepped up again to blast the ball past the keeper and to score his second goal in as many games.

Half Time Score Port Vale 1 - 1 Wrexham

Vale started the second half in a dominant mood again, and Wrexham seemed to be holding on for what appeared to be only a matter of time before they went behind. Vale continued to create chance's, with Rodgers and Willock linking up well. The lack of a breakthrough appeared to dwell on the minds of Vale's players, and gave Wrexham a lift. Tudor drifted out of the game, and his problems with his shin guards seemed to leave him unwilling to put in any meaningful effort. As Vale's chances dried up Wrexham started to dominate, and the introduction of Johnson put Vale on the back foot. As time ticked on Vale started to try efforts from way outside the box, and these were summed up by a woeful effort from Rocastle that flew over the bar. Foyle tried in vain to rally the troops from the edge of the pitch but it seemed the message was not getting through. In an attempt to break the deadlock, Willock was replaced by Marc Richards on 76 minutes, but his lack of fitness showed through and he looked out of sorts on the ball, often giving the ball away needlessly.

Full Time Score Port Vale 1 - 1 Wrexham

After being level on 90 minutes extra time was needed to try and break the deadlock. They need not of bothered! Both half's of extra time were very drab affairs. Neither side looked willing to throw players forward, although Wrexham did look more likely to score. The first period seemed to drag on for an age, with both sides only gaining corners but doing nothing with them. The second period was slightly better, with Wrexham at least trying to score with efforts from Llewellyn and Johnson going close. Foyle brought on Miles after Talbot could not get rid of a leg cramp, and this seemed the point where Vale's effort to push forward stopped.

Score after Extra Time Port Vale 1 - 1 Wrexham

Penalties

Wrexham 1-0 Valentine - Gave Anyon no chance with well struck penalty
Vale 1-1 Rodgers - Vale's best spot kick taker puts it away with ease
Wrexham 2-1 Spender - Hit Hard but to high for Anyon to reach
Vale 2-2 Richards - Well hit penalty put away nicely
Wrexham 3-2 Murtagh - Hit at good height for keeper to reach but too hard to stop it
Vale 3-3 Tudor - Free kick specialist put it away well
Wrexham 4-3 Done - Almost stopped by Anyon but hit to well again
Vale 3-4 Whitaker - Tried to place it but hit the post
Wrexham 5-3 Llewellyn - Perfectly placed past Anyon to win game.

So Vale bow out on penalties, and yet again our League Cup campaign ends as soon as it began. At £14 you can at least say you had your money's, worth but an hour and a half of watching paint dry would of been more fun! Vale seemed to lack any clue how to finish a team off again, and if this is against a League Two side, who only stayed in League Two on the last day of the season, then we are a long way off challenging for the play offs. Foyle has said he wants more passion from the players, well apart from Rodgers there was a distinct lack of passion tonight. The die hard 2,916 who turned up tonight would not of been impressed with Foyle's summer signings. Rocastle is clumsy and slow, Edwards is not real threat, Keith Lowe is a very average center half who hoof's first and passes after. Richards has no real quality, Willock is at best a good sub, but no replacement for Sodje. The only bright spark is Tudor and Rodgers. Tudor takes on players well, but did seem to disappear as the game went on. Rodgers looks quality, and does not stop running and getting at the opposition, but the quality of ball to him has to improve. Things must get better or this will have to be Foyle's last season in charge. To early to right there chances off yet, but if this is an indication of things to come, then I would get your C.V. ready now Martin, you may need it sooner rather than later....

Port Vale Line Up