The Wonder Of P.V.F.C.: Port Vale Vs Tranmere Rovers 15th December 2007

After the humiliating defeat midweek by Chasetown, you could be forgiven for thinking the Vale players were not shall we put it mildly, looking forward to this one. All in all in the most part, the reaction from the very few die hard supporters who actually ventured down to watch them was on the whole good, although certain sections of the crowd did vent their frustrations towards Luke Rodgers for missing the two penalties. No one expected to get a result against a side we regularly do poorly against, but the hard work and determination showed today was a huge step in the right direction, and only luck appears to have deserted them at the moment, but you make your own luck don't you?
After being cup tied mid week, David McGoldrick returned up front, and Lee Sinnott named the same line up that won so well at Gillingham last weekend. Vale started well, despite several sections still giving players a hard times to the players, but after weathering the cold and a short spell of Tranmere pressure, Vale showed they may just be turning the corner. Rodgers was his usual bustling self, and had a couple of good efforts saved by the keeper.
Willock then won a free kick on the edge of the area on 26 minutes. It looked as if Rodgers would be the taker, but McGoldrck fired in a beautiful swerving effort that was only denied by the corner of the crossbar. Marc Laird was having a great game as well, and the time he was allowed on the ball showed why those at Man City think he has a bright future. His time on the ball allowed him to create chances and spray the ball around to Willock and Rodgers, who kept the Tranmere keeper busy.

Mark Salmon was also having his best game in a Vale shirt during his loan, and he created a great cross that Harsley met and headed just wide of the goal. A long range effort from skipper Rodgers forced a fine save from Coyne, who had to scramble across goal to push the ball wide on 35 minutes.
Unfortunately a hard knock on Salmon forced him to limp off on 42 minutes and he was replaced by Rocastle, who again had to suffer the crowd giving him a hard time as he returned to the team for the first time since the first match against Chasetown. Despite this the team made it to half time without conceding, and on the whole looking the best team, and as they had played so well the home fans clapped them off at half time, something they would not of expected.

Half Time Score Port Vale 0 - 0 Tranmere Rovers

Vale started the second half with as much passion as they had ended the first half with, and the fan's backing them off the pitch inspired a second half performance that just lack a goal to seal off a great performance. Laird was first to have a shot on 48 minutes, again forcing a good save from Coyne, and shortly after Rodgers had a header blocked from the resulting corner, and then Lowe headed just over as the rebound was fired back in on goal.

As a reputation often precedes players, Jason Talbot was getting a hard time from the Tranmere players, but instead of his anger boiling over, he kept his cool, and let his play do the talking with a fine second half display. He continued to get forward at every opportunity, and had a fierce shot go just wide of the target.

Vale were still the better of the two sides, but Tranmere are a dangerous side, who counter attack well, and they almost got their noses in front against the run of play when Zola went close. But Vale weathered the storm again, and McGoldrick went close with a great shot on 73 minutes. Pilkington has started to become his old self without the pressure of the armband, and he went close with a header from Harsley's free kick on 79 minutes, as Vale began to pressure the Tranmere defence in the final ten minutes.

Sinnott made hie second sub on 82, bringing on Marc Richards for Willock. He got involved straight away with a good through ball that Rodgers fired just over the bar, when it would of been easier to find McGoldrick who was in acres of space. But a few seconds later McGoldrick had a great shot again saved by Coyne as Vale finished the match the stronger side. It was a final shot from the Vale, as they produced a great performance against one of the better sides in the division, and began to erase the cup exit from everyones memory, well at least for a few minutes.