Vale Go Top With Stanley Win

Vale endure a nervy second half before overcoming a spirited Accrington side.

Manager Micky Adams offered an instant recall to Gary Roberts, who returned after serving a one match suspension, with Louis Dodds making way. Vale lined up with Tomlinson, Yates, Owen, McCombe, Collins, Fraser, Griffith, Roberts, Rigg, Richards, and Richards.

tanley started the game the brighter of the two teams, maintaining possession well, in their effective 4-5-1 formation, without offering any particular goal threat to the home defence.

It was the visitors, however, who had the game`s first opportunity, Rob Edwards volleying over the bar from close range when unchallenged in the Vale box. Vale gradually began to take control of proceedings as the half wore on, Roberts to the fore in all that was good about Vale`s play, displaying his wide array of passing.

Vale`s first noteworthy attack came in the 10th minute, Roberts picking an inch-perfect pass to find Justin Richards down the left hand channel, and his cross narrowly evaded the onrushing Marc. Roberts`s influence was growing and the Stanley defence were having their work cut out dealing with the physical threat of the Vale`s lively front pairing. Justin was the next to go close after latching onto to a Marc Richards flick on after Gareth Owen`s long ball.

Referee Kettle was doing his best to infuriate the Vale faithful, with his overly fussy approach, but the Valiants were starting to turn up the heat on Accrington, Sean Rigg`s mazy run down the left wing causing panic in the Accrington ranks.

An afternoon that started in admiring the Port Vale artwork in Burslem`s fine Barewall Gallery was matched on the pitch with an equally artistic Vale approach for Vale`s opener. Skipper Tommy Fraser provided the clever flick on for Marc Richards to hit an unstoppable dipping volley into the far corner. 1-0 to the Vale.

The visitors were beginning to creek under the pressure, with Vale pressing the ball high up the pitch, forcing the Stanley defence into mistakes. Vale could and should have doubled the lead five minutes before the interval. The two Richards combined once again, but Justin failed to test keeper Dunbavin with his left foot strike. The former Cheltenham striker had a further opportunity to find the back of the net on the stroke of half time. Fine play by Roberts saw him ease past Bateson, laying the ball on a plate for Richards, who couldn`t keep his volley under the crossbar.

The game was echoing Vale`s first half showing against Chesterfield, some excellent football let down only by wasteful finishing. Would Vale pay for their profligacy on this occasion?

The second half began in much the manner as the first, with the visitors on top, Edwards guiding his free header straight at Tomlinson. Soon after, McConville spooned over when placed to do better.

Vale`s tempo had noticeably dropped and the visitors were beginning to gain the upper hand in midfield, confidently manoeuvring the ball, while Vale were reduced to rather aimless balls to an increasingly isolated front pairing.

Despite a strong suspicion of hand ball in the build up, former Tranmere man Andy Parkinson had a great opportunity to level the score, shooting straight at Tomlinson. Yates rescued Vale on more than one occasion with some fine defensive work under pressure at the back post. With Accy on top, Vale made the game`s first change, Jemal Johnson replacing Rigg on the left. With Stanley searching for an equaliser, John Coleman opted to bring on a second striker, Lindfield replacing Ryan, while Adams switched to a 4-5-1 formation with the introduction of Dodds for Justin Richards. It was ultimately a masterstroke by the Vale boss. Johnson broke out of defence before squaring the ball to the onrushing Dodds, who coolly slotted the ball home for his second of the season and sealing the 3 points for the Valiants in the process.

A deserved victory for the home side, though much like the home games against Chesterfield and Aldershot, Vale had to overcome a difficult second half spell. Next up is the top of the table clash against Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday.



Ratings

Tomlinson 6. Dealt well with the little amount he had to do. One fumble in the second half wasn`t costly.

Yates- 8 Vale`s Mr Reliable with another solid performance at full back.

Collins- 7 Not overly tested defensively.

McCombe- 6 Different challenge with Stanley playing just the one up front.

Owen- 7 Another consistent display. Booked in the second half.

Fraser-7 Top of the League, but didn`t stop the moaners on Grumble and Grumble. Improved display by the skipper. Instrumental in the first goal, and worked tirelessly for the team.

Griffith- 6 Battled hard against Stanley`s extra man in midfield.

Roberts-8 The creative force behind all Vale`s good work.

Rigg- 7 Offered a threat on the left. Seems to be improving with each game.

M.Richards-7 Fantastic goal. Starved of service a little in the second half.

J.Richards-6 Missed two good opportunities but was a constant worry for the Accrington defence.

Subs.

Johnson- Fine break for the goal.

Dodds- Classy finish sealing the win.

Loft- Welcome return after injury late on.

Man of the Match.

Adam Yates. Though Roberts was instrumental in a lot of Vale`s play, Yates produced some vital clearances when under pressure in the second half. Yates is fast becoming one of Vale`s most consistent perfomers, justifying his hopes for a new contract.