The Wonder Of P.V.F.C.: AFC Bournemouth Vs Port Vale 1st September 2007

With the loss of Akpo Sodje this week Martin Foyle was looking for a big ask from his players to dig deep and grind out a result at Dean Court today, and the team responded with a hard fought, but well deserved first win of the season. Foyle must of been fearing that his job may of been on the line if today's result had gone against him, but the new signings of McGoldrick and Westwood after Sodje's departure filled the gap left by the big man and give Vale's season the kick start it so badly needed. Vale have had good fortune in recent time's here on the south coast, with a 2 - 1 win in 2005 and last seasons 4 - 0 hammering of Bournemouth in a one sided display in December.

The first 45 minute's were dominated by a rampant Vale side, and they could of been four clear by the break. All of the early pressure was in Bournemouths half. Craig Rocastle finally found some form as he raced into the box on 3 minutes only to have his shot saved by a stunning interception from a Bournemouth defender. Vale seemed to have been working on their passing in training this week, as they were more fluid, and the ball seemed to find its target on every occasion. Danny Whitaker seemed to benefit from this the most with several great chances in the first half. His first effort from 20 yards just sailed past the post on 4 minutes, but his next effort almost put the Vale ahead. Paul Edwards started today in the left back position, and played a great cross into the path of Marc Richards. He played the ball across the area, and Whitaker timed his run to perfection, but was denied by a fantastic reflex save from Begovic. Ex-England star Darren Anderton now plies his trade here at Dean Court, and he produced a bit of magic that almost gave the home side a shock lead. His whipped in cross was about to be met by Jo Kuffour, but a smart piece of goalkeeping from Anyon and a great clearance from new boy Westwood kept the scores level.

Vale's other new boy was equally impressive at the other end of the pitch. Whitakers superb through ball on 29 minutes was met by McGoldrick but his shot was bundled away by Begovic. Bournemouth rallied towards the end of the half with a series of corners and free kicks, but Vale stood firm at the back and the scores remained level at half time. All that was missing from Vale's hard work was a goal.

Half Time Bournemouth 0 - 0 Port Vale

Vale started the second half in the same dominant mood as the first, but Bournemouth grew in confidence too as a great diving save from Anyon kept the first effort of the half out. Vale responded again at the other end with McGoldrick going close again from 12 yards out. The home side had a penalty appeal turned down on 54 minutes, when Kuffour was bundled over by Pilkington when trying to reach a cross by Gradel, but the Vale skipper got enough of the ball and ref Andy D'Urso waved play on. Shane Tudor picked up his first card of the season after a 58th minute foul on Cummings. This led to Bournemouth's only spell of sustained pressure on the Vale goal in the match. Bradbury and Kuffour were both denied by brilliant saves from Anyon.

Vale weathered the storm well as the back line stood firm, and this paid off with them regaining the upper hand as the Bournemouth rally died out. Tudors run into the area almost got Vale a penalty when he was felled by Cummings. Whitaker and Rocastle both went close as Vale went in search of a winner. Foyle had a trump card on the bench with Luke Rodgers,who he brought on for Richards on 73 minutes. The little man looked as eager as ever, and Vale started to look more and more dangerous. A great through ball from Whitaker to Rodgers almost had him scoring from his first touch, but his shot just went wide. He made no such mistake with his second effort on 82 minutes. Rodgers jumped on a loose ball on the edge of the area, held off his marker and sent a blistering shot over the head of stranded keeper Begovic. Vale made two changes to eat up the remaining time, bringing on Lowe and Willock as Bournemouth threw everyone up to try and get an equaliser, but the Vale held out the remaining time to get their first win of the season.

Final Score Bournemouth 0 - 1 Port Vale

Martin Foyle was obviously delighted after the match, and had this to say about his super sub Rodgers. " Luke is a bundle of energy. We have changed the side around a lot to try and get the right mix, and Luke has come on with a point to prove and I like that in a player. I have seen too many player's happy to sit it out on the bench but Luke is not like that. Our tempo has been good in training and its been hard to transfer that into matches, but today it all came good. We defended confidently today, and definitely deserved all three point's "

Port Vale Line Up