The Wonder Of P.V.F.C.: Port Vale Vs Brighton Saturday October 13th 2007

Dean Glover's reign as manager at Port Vale may end up being more memorable than he would of wanted as Vale slumped to yet another team they outplayed at home but came away empty handed from. This defeat, Vale's seventh this season, leaves the team in more relegation trouble than when he took over from Foyle a few weeks ago. His ability to motivate the players seems to of disappeared after the mid-week cup exit to Morecambe, after which he labeled the team as no better than a pub side. This was not the way to get the best out of players obviously low on confidence, and the things can only get better vibe may disappear fast as at the moment they cannot get any worse.

Vale put the two new loan signings straight into the squad, with Adam Eckersley starting at left back, and Will Atkinson getting a start on the bench. Eckersley made his mark with the Vale faithful by setting up an early chance for Luke Rodgers. His low ball in was met by the forward but blazed over the bar. Vale then had the ball in the net on 20 minutes when another quality ball in from Eckersley was met by Rodgers and prodded home past the keeper, only for the referee to rule there had been a foul on the keeper and disallow the goal.

If it was Vale who were at the bottom of the league, then the first half performance did not show it, as they dominated the middle of the park with Rocastle again impressing with his solid presence.

Brighton keeper was entertaining the fans himself, rushing out to head clear a ball being chased down by Tudor from just outside the box. Rocastle picked up the resulting clearance and his shot flew inches over the bar. Former Vale player George O'Callagham was in the Brighton line up, and he saved his team from going a goal down before the break. He was positioned well on the line for a Vale corner on 42 minutes and headed clear a McGoldrick header after the keeper was well beaten to the ball. Who says former players don't come back to haunt you!

Half Time Port Vale 0 - 0 Brighton

Vale started the second half trying to build on the first half dominance, and both Tudor and Rodgers were unlucky with early second half efforts. But Brighton have been a good away team this season getting seven point so far on their travels, and they began to wear the Vale down. A rare mistake from Anyon gifted the visitors the lead on 64 minutes. Pilkington and Anyon both left a ball for the other to clear and Revell shot in to fire into the empty net.

Could things get any worse for the Vale, well quite frankly yes, and they did. After going a goal down Glover responded by bringing on Whitaker for Hulbert. The switch allowed the impressive Eckersley to venture forward to try and put more quality ball into the box. As he pushed on he was adjudged to of fouled a Brighton player. His throwing away of the ball in disgust of the decision meant he picked up a yellow card.

Glover then threw the dice again bringing on his other new boy Atkinson for Paul Edwards on 76 minutes. Two minutes later the game was finally up for Vale as Eckersley was sent off for a second bookable offence after bringing down Robinson. It was a harsh decision on the young left back, who received a warm round of consoling applause as he left the pitch. It was this that sealed the fate of the result with Vale offering little danger to the Brighton goal, and Brighton happy to hold on for the three points. In a final throw of the dice, Glover brought on Richards for McGoldrick but it was too little too late.

It was obvious to the few that turned up on Saturday that after yet another home defeat to a team we have outplayed, Dean Glover is probably not the right man for the job. According to the board he is still on the shortlist for the job, and they showed faith in him by allowing him to bring in new players before the game. The sending off was harsh, and spoilt a good debut for Eckersley, but it is a worry that yet another left back has been sent off for the Vale. Surely the referee didn't mistake him for Talbot!

After the game the board called an emergency meeting to discuss the recent results, and to see what must happen next. After the meeting chairman Bill Bratt had this to say " Dean's chances are the same as they were before the game. We need to asses the situation. He knows what needs to be done, and he has been working hard with the players to achieve this. I think the football has been a lot more attractive to watch, but it is all about results. We will advertise the managers position in the national press next week and see what comes from that. We have had over 50 applications so far and most of those have not been suitable to say the least. We will have to see what happens but Dean will be in charge for next Saturday's trip to Orient. We could of won the game again today, but we just had no luck in front of goal. It looked like ending 0-0 unless someone had some luck, but the luck went to Brighton and we ended up with nothing again. It was very disappointing as I think we were the better side "

Final Score Port Vale 0 - 1 Brighton

Port Vale Line Up