The Wonder Of P.V.F.C.: Port Vale Vs Swindon Town Saturday 27th October 2007

After Mark Grew's scathing attack both in the dressing room and in the press last week, the Vale fans who turned up today may of been expecting some kind of backlash at least from the players. It was either going to be a positive one or a negative one, and with the return of former Vale players Billy Paynter and Sam Collins in the Swindon team today, most expected the curse of the ex player to fire another nail into this seasons campaign. Before the match Mark Grew was seen making a rather swift exit an hour before kick off, and he has not been taking first team training all week, swapping places with Andy Porter training the youth team, so it appears his outburst has not gone unpunished, and his future at the club remains uncertain.
So with a game against a team in the top half of the table Vale had their work cut out today, especially after the second half collapse at Orient last weekend. Glover had Adam Eckersley back in the team after his suspension, and back came in Ashley Westwood and Paul Harsley. He also gave a start to Wil Atkinson, who makes his league debut start today. The weather looked to have an impact on the match with the greasy surface bound to affect the players footing.

Swindon started the more confident of the sides, with the agenda seeming to be get a quick goal and shut up shop. Vale looked less shaky at the back though today and coped well with the early pressure from the visitors. Vale old boy Billy Paynter was looking to get a goal on his return to Vale Park and fired a shot directly at Anyon who saved well. As the half began to settle down Vale looked to pass the ball around well, starting from the back where Eckersley was having a great start to the match. His crisp passing rarely found himself giving the ball away throughout the opening period, and was reminiscent of how Man United play from the back keeping possession above all else and looking for opportunities rather than passing the ball up aimlessly. Atkinson was also having a good start to the game benefiting mainly from the great play from Eckersley. His first effort in anger at the Swindon goal almost gave the Vale the lead on 11 minutes, but his shot was guided away by the outstretched foot of the keeper.

However Vales dominance was rewarded shortly after on 18 minutes.Pauls Harsley's shot on goal was knocked away by a Swindon defender. The majority of players and fans were expecting a corner to be given but to everyone's surprise the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty after spotting a handball. The Swindon players crowded around the ref to complain at the decision, but Luke Rodgers calmly placed the ball on the spot and fired home his eighth goal of the season.

The lead was to be very short lived. Less than a minute later Swindon were level after Vale's defence stood off and allowed them back into the game. A free kick swung in from the left was met by Peacock and headed past the stranded Anyon in the Vale goal. The Vale back four looked around trying to blame each other for not picking up the player who ran unmarked into the box, but the rather tame header should of been easily saved by Anyon.

Instead of the usual collapse at conceding a goal, Vale piled on the pressure on the Swindon goal. Atkinson spotted the unmarked Whitaker and threaded an acute pass through to him. Whitaker put his foot on the ball and steadied himself before firing an unstoppable shot past the Swindon keeper on 26 minutes to restore the lead. He soon found himself buried under a pile of jubilant team-mates as the joy in the camp seemed to carry itself to the home fans.

Vale's back line stood firm to keep the lead at the break, with Pilkington and Westwood looking solid again at the back, and Miller was having by far his best game so far for the team, creating some great moves down the right. Luke Rodgers was a constant thorn in the visitors side, hitting the side netting twice from close range and having a chipped effort on goal cleared off the line by a Swindon defender. Glover would of been hoping the first half didn't end as the Vale deserved the lead at the break, and the police helicopter that was circling the ground for the last ten minutes of the half was obviously not to whisk him away from the surprisingly happy home fans for a change.

Half Time Score Port Vale 2 - 1 Swindon Town

With how recent games of gone the home fans could of been forgiven for thinking that Vale would collapse in the second half and either end up with no points or a point from a game they should of won. As the half started they would of been thinking it was going to happen again, as Swindon came out with the bit between their teeth looking for an equaliser. But Vale withstood the early second half pressure and were soon back on top of the match.

As the half wore on Swindon made a couple of substitution's, bringing on former Vale captain Sam Collins. Collins was brought on to try and gain a foothold in the match that the visitors seemed to be losing after Richards was holding the ball up well, and Rodgers was again having a good spell in front of the Swindon goal. In response to his efforts Glover swapped Richards for McGoldrick, who was instantly in action with a good effort tipped away by the visiting keeper.

After a quiet return to Vale Park Billy Paynter was replaced on 72 minutes to a round of applause from the home fans. As the half went on it was Vale who looked more like adding to their lead rather than Swindon pulling a goal back, as Rodgers again broke free from his marker to have another effort went just inches wide of the goal.

A rather tough challenge from Easton left Paul Harsley looking battered and bruised, and he was replaced by Callum Willock on 80 minutes. As the half drew to a close with 3 minutes of injury time put up on the fourth officials board, Swindon almost got the equaliser they didn't deserve when a great last minute sliding challenge from Westwood denied Roberts a late goal. All in all the Vale had been on top for the entire match and deserved all three points, although for a side near the top of the table Swindon had been poor, showing that in this league there is not that much of a difference between top and bottom. The three points would be a huge confidence boost for Vale going into the next couple of games with Huddersfield next Saturday and the derby match against Crewe here at Vale Park the following Tuesday. And with the FA Cup First Round draw taking place just after the end of the match, Vale hoped this result may turn the season around, even though the vacant managers position still has to be resolved.

After the match Glover had this to say " We have been creating chances, but have been unfortunate not to benefit from the hard work, and today it payed off. Spirits are high. The lads realize the position we are in, and they are prepared to work hard to get us out of it. Sooner or later it will turn, because we are better than the position we are in at the moment, its a case of taking the confidence from the win and putting it into momentum for the next few games. At the moment we have a full squad training so hopefully we will still have them all for the weekend. We can understand the frustration for the supporters, but the anxiety from them can rub off on the players sometimes, so its a case of us all pulling together like today. We have top build on our confidence to try and turn the season around "

Port Vale Line Up