There was a rush for the spectators to get into place with the referee getting the game underway a full twenty minutes before the scheduled kick off time meaning many missed the start.
And it was a good start for a Port Vale side who included Joe Cardle, a former Centre of Excellence player at
The rest of the first half was dominated by
The second half was much the same, several chances were spurned, some of them good chances. The passing and interplay was a joy to watch and you just couldn’t see Vale getting back into the game.
The defence were comfortable throughout and all the back four played well, especially
The second goal had to come and it did midway through the second half and it followed a mistake in the Port Vale defence. The ball fell to Alex Taylor having been given away and he doesn’t waste opportunities like that. He hit it and the shot appeared to go under the goalkeeper’s body.
That was 2-0 and we were playing some lovely stuff and Vale were chasing shadows.
It was 3-0 after some good play down the right hand side which ended in Henry sending over the perfect cross which was met by Cayne Hanley to score with a glancing header.
Port Vale were by now demoralised and we really should have added to the goals tally but you have to be pleased with a 3-0 win away from home against the Champions of their particular lead.
It was a good performance all round with Henry turning in an exceptional performance on the right hand side of the defence.
The win ensures we will go third at worst in the Merit League and we also have the Northern Final of the Alliance Cup to look forward to. The lads are having a good season and they really do deserve to win one of these competitions.
The team was: Michael Hale,
League Table (currently before this weekend’s games)