The Wonder Of P.V.F.C.: Johnsons Paint Trophy 2nd Round Morecambe Vs Port Vale Tuesday 9th October 2007

"Not good enough to be called a pub team!" Dean Glover's assessment of the team's performance in the second round exit from the competition which held teams only chance of a trophy this season. And this was the second time this season Vale had been knocked out of a cup competition by a League two side on penalties. The result leaves the team's confidence back in tatters after it had seemed that they had turned the corner in the last few games. And Bill Bratt's appearance in the dug out after the match may of been interpreted as the Chairman showing consolation for the result, but it was more likely to show that Glover is not the right man for the vacant managers job long term. This was by far the worst result of Glover's four game's in charge, and he would of been left with a bitter taste in his mouth after his team failed to progress.

Vale started the game in a 4-4-2 formation, an due to Colin Miles being ruled unfit to start the match due to illness, Marc Richards started alongside Rodgers, with Danny Glover taking his place on the bench. Vale started much the brighter of the two teams, and took the lead from a great move on 5 minutes. Shane Tudor took the corner he had won and floated in a brilliant ball which was met by a powerful header from Justin Miller and buried into the net passed the stationary Morecambe keeper. Vale were much the more confident of the two sides, and they passed the ball around well. Miller could of added a second on 18 minutes when he raced passed a defender into the box only to find his low volley fire back at him from the upright.

Vale had strung together a few nice passing moves, and after the half hour they got the second goal they deserved. Hulbert was brought down on the edge of the area, and the diminutive striker Luke Rodgers stepped up to place an inch perfect free kick into the top corner. Vale were creating plenty of good possession, and although Morecambe did have Anyon making a couple of good saves, it was Vale who had been the better side in the first half.

Half Time Morecambe 0 - 2 Port Vale

Morecambe came out of the blocks running at the start of the second half, and pulled a goal back from their first move of the half. Vale had proved to be weak defending down the flanks all season, and tonight was no exception as Curtis took on and beat Edwards with ease to put in a perfect cross which was slotted home by Hunter. Anyon was again needed just a few minutes later when he pulled off a fine save from a 20 yard shot from Curtis. Glover seemed to look bemused on the sidelines as the home side made Vale look like a team who didn't know each other and put them under constant pressure. He urged the players to calm down and try to regain their focus from the first half. Morecambe then hit the woodwork before Vale finally had an effort in the second half, with a long range effort from Tudor also hitting the post.

Vale decided to make a change, bringing on Willock for McGoldrick, who after a couple of good performances was largely ineffective tonight against weaker opposition. Willock almost had the desired effect with his fine long range effort being pushed wide by the keeper. But the home side finally got the equaliser on 61 minutes when a great ball from former Vale trialist, right back Adam Yates, was helped into the box by Hunter, and swept home from 6 yards by Newby to level to scores.

Vale finally started to respond to the pressure, and tried to pass their way out of trouble. It almost got them a penalty when Edwards was tumbled over in the box, but another poor referee gave the decision to the home side. Glover then handed his 17 year son Danny the chance to win the game for the Vale, bringing him on for Richards, and he almost scored with his first touch, forcing a fine save from the keeper Drench. Vale piled on the pressure late on and Drench in the Morecambe goal kept the home side in the match with a string of fine saves from Tudor, Miller and Rodgers.

As the board went up for added time Vale made a final push on the home goal, and a looping header from Miller flew over the stranded keeper and bounced off the crossbar to safety. As there is no extra time in this competition, the final whistle went with the Morcambe fans celebrating, and Glover looking worried at the prospect of picking five penalty takers.

Final Score Morecambe 2 - 2 Port Vale

Penalties

Morecambe 1-0 Artell: Good penalty down the middle past Anyon
Port Vale 1-1 Rodger: The little man does it again with a fine penalty
Morecambe 2-1 Newby: Left Anyon no chance with a well struck kick
Port Vale 1-2 Tudor: Poor penalty well saved by Drench
Morecambe 3-1 Lloyd: Short run up but well hit past Anyon
Port Vale 2-3 Willock: Slotted past the keeper well by the big man
Morecambe 4-2 Hunter: No problem for the forward leaving Anyon no chance
Port Vale 2-4 Glover: Rather weak effort from the youngster leaving easy save

So Vale bow out yet again on penalties to a lower league side, but this time was a lot harder to take after being 2 - 0 up at the break only to throw away the lead and lose on penalties. Sammy McIlroy obviously had done his homework on the Vale as his side pressured our weak fullbacks to create two goals from two chances. The decision to let an inexperienced 17 year old take such an important penalty is also baffling. But more worrying is the lack of big name first team players willing to step up and take spot kicks for the team, Glover is bound to pick the youngster if he has the balls to stand up to take one. Bill Bratt should be fuming at the result, as this is our only real chance of a trophy, and with the likes of Leeds United still in the competition, we have also lost any revenue created from either T.V. rights (The Leeds game was live on Sky Sports) or from a big home gate.

Glover was rightly furious with the players after the game, and criticised them, calling them a pub side after watching them lose, although he did pick the team Glover was disappointed at the result but more so at the lack of effort from his key players. He said after the game " I wanted five lads to have the confidence to step up and take one but some of the more senior player backed away from it and I had to put young Danny in the firing line to take a penalty. Unfortunately the pressure was added with Shane missing his, and Danny realised he had to score to keep us in it. It didn't happen for him and he will step up again one day to make amends. He is 17 and obviously he is upset. It just disappoints me the senior players did not have his guts to step up and take a kick and just back away. You can't write what I and Grew said to them in the dressing room after the game, but safe to say we gave them a dressing down. We have told them what we think of them and how we feel because it just is not good enough for Port Vale Football Club. I would hope they would role their sleeves up and have some pride in what they are doing, because at the moment I would class them as no better than a pub side "

Port Vale Line Up