The Wonder Of P.V.F.C.: Hudderfield Town Vs Port Vale Saturday 3rd November 2007

A testing time for caretaker manager today as his future was made even more uncertain as his only rival for the vacant managers job, Lee Sinnott, was at the game today. Late last night the Farsley Celtic manager's club released a press statement that he had left the club, leaving it all but certain he was to be the next Vale manager. This along with the news that Adam Eckersley has had to return to Manchester United after picking up a knee injury that will require surgery and is likely to keep him out for 10 weeks would of been a major blow to Glover as the youngster had impressed in his time at Vale and he had become a favourite with the fans with his style of play.
So a reshape at the back was required with Edwards returning to the left back role and McGoldrick replacing the injured Richards. George Pilkington also pulled out late with a stomach bug, leaving Glover to include McGregor in the line up. In Huddersfield's line up today were former Vale star Malvin Kamara, and former Vale target Danny Cadermarteri. Also ex Man United player Ronnie Wallwork and Frank Sinlclair meant that Vale faced a stiff test at the Galpharm.

It couldn't of been a worse start for the Vale as they found themselves 2-0 down inside the first ten minutes of the match. The missing players had an adverse effect on the game from the start and Vale showed why they are in the relegation zone. Andy Booth scored with his first effort on 3 minutes to give the home side an early lead. A free kick from the corner was whipped in and Booth headed firmly past Anyon. But things got even worse six minutes later when Town got a second. A corner was whipped in and cleared the Vale defence to find the unmarked Wallwork who fired home from 20 yards.

Vale finally had a shot at the home team on sixteen minutes when McGoldrick was put clear in a one on one with the keeper, but his effort went wide after a weak shot. If it had of gone in Vale would of been back in the game, but things went even worse on 20 minutes when they fell 3-0 behind. Another corner for the home side, and another goal. The ball was whipped in by Skarz and Mirfin headed towards the goal. Rocastle tried in vain to hoof the ball away, but the referee adjudged the ball had gone over the line and awarded the goal.
With the game already dead and buried in the first 20 minutes what followed made little difference to the outcome. Luke Rodgers scored yet again on 43 minutes to give Vale a glimmer of hope, but after this woeful first half performance, whoever the next manager is will have his work cut out.

Half Time Huddersfield Town 3 - 1 Port Vale

The second half was pretty much a non event, but Vale did rally slightly to give the travelling support some hope, although the possession was rarely turned into chances on goal by Vale, and Huddersfield appeared to be on cruise control. Glover brought on Hulbert for Miller just after the break to try and toughen up the midfield. Rodgers again was the only Vale player to attempt any shots on the home teams goal, and the opening ten minutes saw him have a couple of efforts saved by the keeper.

On 59 minutes Glover replaced Atkinson for Tudor, and pushed Whitaker onto the left to try and open up the home side, but it made little difference. It was the pacy Huddersfield attack that could of added to the scoreline when Cadermarteri showed his skill by dribbling past the Vale defence and crossing for Booth, whose header went just wide. The loudest cheer of the day went up when the scoreboard flashed up that local rivals Leeds United were losing at Carlisle.

Apart from that the only other talking point was the penalty appeal when Sinclair appeared to push over Whitaker. The home side held its breath as it looked like the the referee was about to give a penalty, but he gave the foul the other way. As Vale mounted a last attack, Whitaker had a shot hit the side netting. Even the three minutes of added time didn't result in another attack, as the home side picked up and easy three points and Vale were left licking their wounds. As it looks like Sinnott will be the next manager then on this performance he will of seen the team at its worst, and he will have his work cut out to turn this season around with the local derby against Crewe as his possible first match, and the FA Cup trip to Morecambe next Saturday. If this is Glover's last game in charge he leaves the team in the relegation zone after losing six of his eight games in charge.