The Wonder Of P.V.F.C.: Port Vale Vs Cheltenham Town Tuesday 2nd October 2007

Port Vale were 'handed' a huge boost as they got their first league win at home with a brilliant display. The result would of been a huge boost to both the players and caretaker manager Dean Glover, looking to stake his claim for the job. Glover will of been pleased with the teams display as they continued the good work started on Saturday, when they were unlucky to end up with no points against Southend. The players seem to be pulling together, and this ended up being the best the team had played since pre-season. Glover made one change from Saturday, bringing in Justin Miller for Keith Lowe.

The game started slowly and both sides seemed to be sizing each other up, leaving the small crowd in attendance wondering if it was just going to be another one of those nights. The only real chance in the first quarter of the game came when Talbot thread a ball through to Rodgers, who in turn passed to McGoldrick. His shot was on target but the keeper got down to it without much difficulty. The game lost its way a little but Vale maintained the possession well, with Cheltenham hardly touching the ball. Vale got their rewards on 21 minutes with a controversial opener. Paul Edwards put a great ball through to Rodgers, who threaded a great ball to strike partner McGoldrick. McGoldrick slid in with the keeper in close proximity, and appeared to bundle the ball over the line with his hand. Not exactly 'hand of god' but as things as they are Vale will accept any goal this season. After most of the away fans and Cheltenham players argued the validity of the 'goal' the ref consulted with his linesman to see if the goal would stand, and to the delight of the home crowd and McGoldrick, the goal was given. McGoldrick became only the second player to score for the Valiants this season, with Rodgers getting all the other five goals.

The goal appeared to give Vale a welcome boost in front of goal, with the players now having the mindset that they and not only Luke Rodgers could actually score. Even a sending off did not dampen the spirits of the team. Jason Talbot and Andy Lindegaard went in for a ball in the 24th minute. Both appeared to wrestle each other to the ground before exchanging elbows while trying to get free. The referee consulted the linesman, and the pair were both shown the red card. This was Talbot's fifth dismissal in just 38 appearances for the Vale and means a three match ban just as he had got back into the team.

Vale coped better than the visitors after being reduced to ten men, in fact you couldn't really tell we had a player missing as the team pushed on to add to their lead. They could of had the game all over by half time with McGoldrick, Miller, Edwards, Whitaker and Harsley all having efforts going wide. In fact the only Vale player who was missing out on the free flowing play in front of goal was Rodgers, but the little man was creating lots of space for his team mates to have their moment of glory. The half ended with Vale well on top of the game, and Glover would of been happy with the team, although his half time talk would of been to make sure the team stayed on top and didn't conceded any stupid goals from a lack of concentration.

Half Time Score Port Vale 1 - 0 Cheltenham

Vale stared the second half as they had finished the first half. Vale dominated the opening proceedings of the half as they set up camp in the Cheltenham half. Vale created chance after chance with Edwards, Rodgers and even Pilkington going close to adding to the lead. But as Vale pushed on Cheltenham could of scored with their only dangerous effort of the game on 57 minutes. Gill crossed the ball over the retreating Vale defence, and Connors header went just wide.

As the pressure from Vale slowed a little, Glover brought on Richards for McGoldrick to demoralise the beleaguered Cheltenham defence further. The chance almost had an instant response, as a through ball from Whitaker was latched on to by Richards. He raced into the box and unleashed a pile driver of a shot which was just tipped over by the keeper.. This seemed to get the Vale fans back behind their team and they responded with a goal that will be an early contender for Vale's goal of the season. Edwards, who had been switched from the wing to left back after Talbots sending off, picked up the ball on 73 minutes, from 35 yards out and mazed his way through the ever tiring Cheltenham players. He strode past three attempted challenges before finding himself clear in front of goal. He confidently slotted the ball home past the stranded keeper before disappearing under a scrum of delirious team mates.

Glover Must of felt a huge sigh of relief as the second goal went in, and his next target was a clean sheet. He made a couple of changes to make shut up shop, bringing on Hulbert for Whitaker and Tudor for Rodgers in the last ten minutes. As an effort from a Cheltenham player flew over the roof of the Hamil End, Vale would of been confident that tonight's work was done, but greater reward was to follow.

With two minutes left on the clock Richards won the ball and found Tudor in space on the right. He slid the ball through to Rocastle, who had just been given man of the match over the tannoy, and he capped off a fine display as he ran on to slot the ball past the stranded keeper. The game was over and a jubilant Vale team returned to the dressing room feeling that after all the recent bad luck, that this result may finally get the season back on track.

After the match Glover was obviously overjoyed at the result, and praised his players. He said " The players are capable of plying good football like this if they believe in themselves. The chairman came down to congratulate me and the team on the result and this makes my case for the vacant managers position a little easier but that decision lies with the board. I think the red cards were harsh on both players and it did tip the balance of the game in our favour, even if we were also a man down. The tussle looked worse than it actually was and I think a booking would of been fair. Our first goal was a bit dubious to say the least, but the linesman was in a position that was favourable to us, and we are happy with that. If it takes a goal like that to kick start our season then we will take it every time "

Final Score Port Vale 3 - 0 Cheltenham

Port Vale Line Up