Vale Park’s a nightmare to find, it’s not sign posted until you reach the bloody ground! The away pub is a dump, no chip shops or takeaways were open near the ground, the balti pies in the ground were beautiful and only a £1. The ground itself is nice, half one of the stands is unfinished but it’s still better than Blundell. A small number of Town fans gathered in the away end. Right that’s the chit chat out the way, onto the depression. Get the Prozac out ready.
With Alan Pouton going to Gillingham on Friday night, Nick Daws was signed on loan in time for the game. Daws lined up in midfield with Paul Groves. Daws was handed Pouton’s shirt, literally. No 7 with POUTON felt tipped out. Classy.
Jason Crowe returned to the first team after suspension., he took Darren Barnard’s place at leftback with Phil Jevons in front of him. Oooh, two right footers down the left wing AGAIN. Meanwhile two left footers (Greg Young and Graham Hockless sat on the bench).
Michael Boulding didn’t travel as he was injured, although I ain’t that convinced he’ll play for us again. Iffy Onuora partnered Darren Mansaram up front.
Town wore a very fetching black and white shirts, white shorts and red shorts combo. Mmmm lovely. Vale’s white kit looked a bit mucky and grey. Yes, they have a better team but we have a better kitman. Ner ner ner.
The opening 15 minutes of the game were a bit non-eventful to say the least, in fact most of that time saw the Town fans arguing amongst themselves over whether Groves should stay or go, if it was unloyal to chant ‘Groves Out’ and if any action would be missed on a pie run.
Town had a few dabbles into the Vale box and vice-versa. Boyd for Vale and Jevons for Town both had longish efforts that brought a slight oooh from the crowd although neither ‘keeper was troubled.
18 minutes and the wheels came off. Dunno if they were ever on but stop interrupting me and I’ll get on, yeah?
The Vale ‘keeper launched a huge kick upfield into the Town box. Edwards headed it out where Austrian midfielder Andreas Lipa controlled, PUSH OUT, PUSH OUT, before volleying a stunner beyond Davison. 1-0. Once again Town’s defence/midfield stood watching and lost out on the second ball.
From the kick-off Town lost possession, surprise surprise. Vale went upfield and got a corner. Bridge-Wilkinson, who I’m sure was a Town target a few years back, took it. The ball hung around the area for a bit before Sam Collins hit a bullet past Davison. Cue the pointing from the defence at the midfield and the midfield blaming the defence. The fans blamed Groves.
Vale looked set to run riot and they really should have. Town offered about two seconds of a fight back. Daws crossed and Onuora made slight contact with a header that was easily saved.
The 33rd minute saw quite possibly the worst bit of defending I’ve ever seen. The ball was played upfield between Ford and Stephen McPhee. Ford was clear favourite to get it but amazingly ran past the ball, yes he actually ran past the ball! McPhee flew forward, drew Edwards before squaring to Bridge-Wilkinson. His delicate lob beat Davison who just watched it go over and into the net. 3-0 and nearly 60 minutes to go. Oh joy.
But wait, just hold your horses a minute. From the kick-off Town passed about a bit before Daws played in Crowe on the left wing, his cross was met by Jevons scissor kick that flew into the opposite corner for 3-1. Great goal. No taking away from that.
Any hopes of a fight back were soon cast aside when Davison dawdled over a pass back before kicking it straight against Brooker. Only Crowe’s anticipation prevented a certain goal.
Davison soon redeemed himself with a full stretch save to keep out from Billy Paynter. Just before the break though he committed a stupid ‘foul’.
With the ball in his hands for a goal kick, he ran out his area before kicking it to give away a free-kick. We’re not talking inches here, he was a good two feet outside his area. Unbelievable.
The wall was a shambles although the Vale players trying to pull Edwards over didn’t help. Collins slammed the kick into the wall, the deflection took the ball onto the post. Davison watched it bounce down before Paynter tapped home from a whole yard.
Half-time. The team booed off, deservedly too.
Second half was better, although we was still crap. Still really crap.
Edwards and Crowe did all they could to keep out the wave after wave of attacks and it’s testament to them that only one more goal was scored. Former Coventry man McPhee wasted a host of good chances after the defence was breached. Had he brought his shooting boots, we would be talking double figures.
Town attacked more although had no clear chances. In fact it was in spells of corners. Groves had two headers that brought decent saves and Onuora saw three snapshots blocked.
Jevons shimmied his way down the wing before picking out Mansaram. With the goal at his mercy he sliced high and wide into the stand. He held his head in his hands begging the ground to swallow him.
Nick Daws’ return to Town was over when he was victim of a awful lunge from Boyd that left the loanee requiring stitches to his head. Greg Young replaced him with Jason Crowe moving into midfield. Young bombed forward at every possible occasion. On this day his crossing let him down though as he failed to deliver a decent ball.
On 75 minutes the game was over. Bridge-Wilkinson skinned Groves before unleashing a belter to beat Davison from 30 yards.
The rest of the game flickered out with hardly any action to note. Onuora was replaced by Jonny Rowan. Whilst Des Hamilton replaced to huge cheers from the Town fans.
Upon the final whistle Groves and his bench stormed down the tunnel whilst not one player bothered to come over and clap the fans. Only Greg Young clapped from the halfway line. Thanks a lot, lads. Nice to see that you appreciate us. So you got booed, grow up! You deserved it, you was awful. But remember who pays your wages, remember who it is who support you through thick and thin. We, the fans, show a hundred times more passion for this club than you lot. You really should take good looks at yourselves. You’re disgraces!
Man of the Match - Jason Crowe . Not a leftback but performed well, ended up running the midfield when he moved as well. Along with Jevons and Mansaram, only one who seemed to care.