Port Vale 0-0 Bournemouth

Port Vale 0-0 Bournemouth

After the recent slump which left Micky Adams in a state of almost deranged fury last weekend this was a welcome, and fully deserved point against the league leaders.

Personal issues have dictated that this is the first game I have attended since our 4-0 drubbing of Grimsby Town on the 5th September, the last time we won a game of football. Defeats to Bury and Notts County, draws with Aldershot and Accrington Stanley, and the end of our Carling Cup dream has been our lot over the last three weeks. Adams has reacted to this by shoving the whole squad onto the transfer list and likening them to a woman wearing a big fur coat and no knickers! What are the odds on Adams walking out before we see in the new year?



Vale gave a debut to Jason Jarrett, who lined up in midfield with Tom Fraser and Doug Loft. Louis Dodds played up front alongside Richards, Anthony Griff and Kris Kris Taylor provided the width (They are wing-backs, not full-backs. Do not argue this with Micky Adams!), with Collins, McCombe & Owen as our three central defenders.

Bournemouth made the better start, comfortable in possession, knocking the ball around nicely and keeping Vale penned in their own half, but despite all their pressure and a succession of corners they could not create a clear cut opportunity.

Vale gradually got themselves into the game as the first half wore on, Jarrett imposing himself in midfield and making things happen. Suddenly it was Bournemouth with their backs to the wall as we hit the woodwork twice late on in the half, the first a Marc Richards header which came back off the crossbar, the second occasion courtesy of a lovely bit of skill from Kris Taylor coming in from the left – leaving a defender for dead before curling a low shot which hit the post. It deserved a goal.

H-T Port Vale 0-0 Bournemouth

The second half began very much like the first, Bournemouth attempting to control the game without ever looking like breaking down the Vale defence. At the other end we weren’t fairing much better, Dodds firing well over with two decent chances.

Lewis Haldane came off the bench for Doug Loft early in the second half, and attemted unsuccessfully to bulldoze his way through the Bournemouth defence. Haldane may well have his loan spell extended, which may come as a bit of a surprise to some as he has hardly set the world alight during his month with us.

The biggest cheer of the day came when Marc Richards was hauled off and replaced with Geoff Horsfield. Richards had one of those games where he looks devoid of application and commitment, and it is annoyingly frustrating for the fans.

Bournemouth almost stole the game late on, Keeper Chris Martin left stranded by a header which came back of the post, and right at the death Martin made a great save from five yards out as our defence was caught ball watching.

So, a fair result, and a performance that should induce a little bit of happiness back into Mr Adams life. Next up we have Stockport County visiting us on Tuesday night in the Paint Pot Trophy, followed by two massive away games in the league – Shrewsbury Town and Crewe Alexandra, both all ticket games.

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