The Wonder Of P.V.F.C.: Walsall Vs Port Vale Saturday 8th September 2007

Port Vale hoped to make it back to back wins in this early afternoon kick off at Walsall today. The home side have had a poor start to the season, as have Vale, and would of also looked to gain all three points against a team who has not won at Walsall for sixty years. The home side included former Vale favourite Danny Sonner and ex loan player Rhys Weston, who both joined Walsall in the summer after their promotion last year.

Vale started unchanged from last weeks win at Bournemouth, with striker Luke Rodgers again starting from the bench. The Pilkington - Westwood partnership was continued, and has started to leave the back line looking very strong. Both side's exchanged half chances throughout the first half, and Joe Anyon again showed why several Premiership clubs have been looking at the young keeper in the last few weeks. Sonner was of course the target of abuse by the Vale traveling support after his departure on not so good terms in the summer, and this seemed to fire him up as he created and had Walsall's best chances in the first half. A Sonner corner on 12 minutes created the first real chance, when Dann volleyed well over from 10 yards out. McGoldrick again looked lively up front for Vale, and his shot was saved by Ince after a good run past two defenders. Vale pressed on again and Paul Edwards again impressed at left back, whipping in a cross which Whitaker met, but sent his 25 yard effort wide. The game almost went Vale's way on 25 minutes when a throw launched into the area by Miller was met by Pilkington, but his effort went just past the post. Sonner then had Walsall's best effort of the half from a free kick, awarded when Harsley handballed just outside the area. Sonner bent the ball over the wall towards the bottom corner but Anyon got down well and tipped the ball around the post.

Neither side really looked like breaking the deadlock, but an effort from Wrackmon 44 minutes nearly put the home side in front at the break. A great ball from Hall put Wrack in and he rounded Anyon but was pushed out to wide, giving Edwards time to get back and block the resulting shot and clearing the danger.

Half Time Score Walsall 0 - 0 Port Vale

Walsall came out of the blocks first at the start of the half. Anyon spilled a cross from Weston and was bundled into by Roper, but his shot went wide and the Vale's call for a free kick fell on deaf ears. McGoldrick then played a neat exchange of passes with Richards at the other end. Richards turned on the edge of the area and shot, but his effort just clipped the crossbar and went over.

Vale continued the pressure and both McGoldrick and Richards went close again. Shane Tudor was again impressive, and his jinking runs had Roper twisting and turning all afternoon. Vale decided to bring on Rodgers on 70 minutes to see if he could snatch a winner as he did last week. This time he attempted to be provider, as he slipped an inch perfect pass to Richards, who shot over from close range. Foyle then brought on Hulbert for Whitaker, and Talbot for the tiring Miller, who was lucky to of played after being ill before the kick off. Neither side really threatened again, and both seemed happy with a point and a clean sheet. The result meant Vale had their second consecutive clean sheet on the road and had gained four points from six in two games they clearly were not favourites in pre kick off, maybe a corner had been turned from Foyle's men.

Final Score Walsall 0 - 0 Port Vale

After the game manager Martin Foyle had this to say " I thought Pilkington, Westwood and Anyon were outstanding today, but one or two players looked a bit jaded. We have been training hard this week and some may be feeling the effects of it today. Our retention of the ball was very poor this afternoon. We knew this would be a difficult place to come and get a result. Our track record here is not that good and we rode our luck at times but we did create some good openings. A draw was probably a fair result but we need to create more chances at the right times "

Port Vale Line Up