The Wonder Of P.V.F.C.: Gillingham Vs Port Vale Saturday 8th December 2007

Its not often this season that I have been able to say this, but Vale came away from Preistfields on Saturday with 3 vital points that they deserved, and it's a result that lifts them from the bottom of the table. This was Vale's first win at Gillingham since 1958, so they could be forgiven for thinking that a win was not going to be on the cards. But after the fight shown against Leeds United in midweek, this was a Vale team with a point to prove, and not even the atrocious conditions the few faithful fans had to endure was enough to hide the delight at Lee Sinnott's first league win as Vale manager.

Sinnott showed that Vale were determined to take points of the home side by going 4-3-3 for the first time this season, drafting back in one of the 'Chasetown Four', Callum Willock, who had been dropped along with Danny Whitaker,Craig Rocastle and Paul Edwards after the embarrassing cup result last weekend.

There was not much between either side as the game started. Vale had the first effort on goal, with Luke Rodgers firing a free kick into the wall. The Gill's also went close with King heading just wide. Vale were starting to look the more dangerous side as the half progressed. Paul Harsley sent in a great corner which hung in the wind. Willock rose up to head towards the goal, but Royce pulled off a great save to deny him. Then shortly after Salmon was guilty of a bad miss when he received a great through ball from skipper Rodgers, but put the ball wide. Vale began to dominate the game, and both Laird, whose half volley was tipped away, and Rodgers, who hit the side netting twice, almost gave Vale the lead they deserved. But this season we have not had the luck from our possession, and today was no different as the home team hit Vale on the break and went 1-0 up on 33 minutes.

Chris Dixon has starred for Gillingham since his loan move from Charlton, and he raced onto a through ball in the middle of the park. He easily beat Lowe for pace and raced clear to fire past Anyon in the Vale goal. But Vale have found a new found resilience since the Chasetown game, and within a minute they hit back, silencing the home fan's who were still celebrating going in front. McGoldrick played a great ball out to the wing, where McGregor aimed a low cross into the box. Callum Willock launched himself at the ball and headed Vale level with a fine and deserved equaliser. His delight was obvious as he ran to celebrate with the Vale fans who had put him on the rack after the Chasetown game.

As half time approach, Vale had got the edge back on the home side. The three up front was working well, and the team that looked bereft of ideas against Chasetown, was creating chance after chance today. The reward again came right on the stroke of half time. With the home side looking to go in level, McGoldrick raced up the wing and fired in a cross come shot low and towards the on rushing skipper Rodgers. Rodgers didn't have to worry about meeting the cross, as Simon King deflected the ball out of the path of Rodgers and into his own net to put the Vale 2-1 up on 44 minutes.

Half Time Score Gillingham 1 - 2 Port Vale

Vale again carried on the good work from the first half, and Rodgers almost put the Vale further ahead in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Then a great ball from McGregor to youngster Salmon was met and steered past Royce in the Gill's goal, but the shot went agonisingly wide of the post.

As the home side tried to get back into the game, Vale were steadfast in defence, and restricted the home side to a few half chances. As the half wore on the best chances again fell to the Vale, and Gillingham were reduced to hoofing the ball into the Vale box without creating any real pressure for Vale to have to cope with.

Laird got himself in trouble with the ref, after he walked the ball away after a hand ball by Harsley. Not happy with the decision he strode off with the ball, making his feeling's known to the ref, who promptly booked Laird. From the resulting free kick, the home side almost got back into the game, but Millers header flew inches wide of the post.
Vale brought on Whitaker on 76 minutes for the tired Salmon, who had impressed today in his second full game. Dickson then had two good chances to put the home side level. On 79 minutes head tried a overhead kick which just went over the crossbar. Six minutes later he fired a fierce shot at Anyon in the Vale goal, but he saved well to keep the Vale in front.

With Vale desperate to hold on to all three points Sinnott put on an extra defender, with Miles coming on for skipper Rodgers on 88 minutes. Rodgers handed the armband to Pilkington, who having had the armband taken from him after the Chasetown game, has responded by having two of his best performance's for the Vale this season. Vale hung on to pick up all three points and to give Sinnott his first league win as Vale manager, but more importantly with the FA Cup replay on Tuesday looming, this was the perfect way to give the Vale players huge confidence boost going into the tricky tie at Chasetown. As the final whistle was blown the Vale team formed a huddle in the middle of the pitch, a show of unity perhaps, or maybe just the relief at the fact they have finally won a game again.

After the game a delighted Lee Sinnott said " You could tell what that win meant to the players today. When I looked over my shoulder they were still out there huddled together - that wasn't pre-planned. Let's be honest, we have taken a little flak lately, but that doesn't mean we don't care and don't want to do better. I think that showed in the players huddle. They have taken some stick lately, so this one is for them. We don't like the position we are in, and that is not going to change overnight. But the characteristics we showed at Elland road and today will stand us in good stead. "

Final Score Gillingham 1 - 2 Port Vale

Port Vale Line Up