Youth team run halted at home

James Taylor - had a chance inthe first half

There were a couple of changes to the side which had thrashed Morecambe the week before. Some were probably just squad rotation but the notable absentee was Liam Newman, missing with a hamstring tweak. Joint top scorer Michael King was also still sidelined so Joe Jackson came from the bench into the starting XI. There was also a start for James Taylor, meaning that Tommy Taylor reverted to a place with the subs. With minimal changes from last week's demolition job we were expecting more domination, but we were very wrong.

The first quarter of the game was bereft of anything really noteworthy. About 20 minutes in we had a half chance each. We were guilty of not gambling when Jake McEneaney fired a good low cross over, but no-one connected. They were unlucky when a long ball in behind our defence was closed down by both the centre forward and Danny McDonald. The striker got their first but clipped the ball just wide.

We then had a small flurry of chances. James Taylor was clean through but the ball stuck under his feet as he entered the box and led to him panicking and firing wide, with Jackson wide open in the middle. Dom Knowles then fired at goal from 20 yards after a nice drop of the shoulder had created a huge space in front of him, but the keeper was well positioned to gather.

The only other chances of the half came to the visitors, with the same forward who had missed the earlier chance making it a hat trick of near misses. A committed saving tackle from Neil Yadolahi and the post were to thank for us not entering half time behind.

We started slowly in the 2^nd but had the first attempt at goal. A free kick awarded near the right side corner quadrant was swung in but dipped in front of Jackson as he was rising to head, meaning he had to improvise and knee goalwards. It almost did the trick through and only an outstretched defensive head kept the score level.

The Vale number nine was still hunting a goal he probably deserved and when he clipped a right wing cross goalwards at the near post he thought he had it, celebrating as he struck the shot. It was a little premature though as McDonald make a fine reaction save low down. The shutout didn't last long though as Vale punished us with a goal from a direct free kick just outside the box.

The goal woke us a little and we tried to up the tempo, leading to another couple of chances for Jackson, but he first shot wide after a scramble, then found the arms of the keeper with a flashing header. We were building momentum but were hit with a sucker punch as the ref awarded Vale a penalty for a challenge by Curtis Woods. It looked harsh as he definitely got the ball - it was hard to see though if he went through the man to get it though. The penalty was dispatched to make it 2-0.

Our heads dropped and sure enough with around 10 left on the clock Vale made it 3-0 following a defensive mix-up. All in all it was a poor game which we didn't do enough to win. Our visitors deserved the win but the scoreline flattered them.

Team:- Danny McDonald, Dean Overson, Jake McEneaney, Curtis Woods, Neil Yadolahi, Dave Lynch, Joe McKee, Ross Wilson, James Taylor, Joe Jackson, Dom Knowles.
Subs not used:- J Thewlis, Tommy Taylor, Tom Anderson, Mullin