Robins left chirping as Vale crash at home

Port Vale crashed to their third successive defeat under new boss Jim Gannon this weekend and his first defeat at home.
Gannon ringed the changes bringing Jay O'Shea into the starting line up following the departure of captain Tommy Fraser this week.
Vale looked to be evenly matched against an average Cheltenham side but when stand in captain Gareth Owen tugged back Wes Thomas the referee was left with little choice to send the former Stockport defender off.
Cheltenham must be Owen's bogey side as he was also substituted after a 20 minute shocker when he was under the watchful eye of Gannon at County.
Vale offered little up front from Justin Richards who was always going to find it difficult playing the lone striker.
Jeff Goulding netted for the Robins in the 56th minute after a cross from former Vale defender Keith Lowe
New West Brom loan stars Kayleden Brown and Romaine Sawyers were brought into the fray but were left with little time to make much of an impact. The substitution of Rob Taylor also sparked a chorus of jeers round Vale Park for Gannon's bizarre substitution but has today defended his decision by stating it was because Taylor had picked up a calf injury.

Vale miss out in derby day clash

Port Vale missed out on the bragging rights when they lost 2-1 to local and League Two rivals Crewe Alexandra.
Crewe took the lead through a strike from Shaun Miller, which seemed to bounce over Vale keeper Stuart Tomlinson.
Vale equalised from the spot through lone striker Justin Richards and a draw looked on the cards until substitute Adam Dugdale fired home the winner for Dario Gradi's side.
The game saw Vale youth team star Christian Cox make his debut as he replaced Justin Richards but it wasn't enough to earn a result for Jim Gannon's side

Taylor's away day boost but Vale crash out

Port Vale Vale's Rob Taylor netted two goals in Saturday's FA Cup clash at Burnley but it wasn't enough as the Valiants crashed out of the competition losing 4-2.
Vale were up against it in the first five minutes when lacklustre defending saw Burnley take the lead through Clarke Carlisle.
Taylor equalised for the Valiants but a Burnley free kick beat the wall and goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson to give the Clarets the half time lead.
Former Manchester United youngster Chris Eagles netted shortly after the break on the break after a Vale corner and also scooped the man of the match award.
A penalty from Graham Alexander sealed Vale's fate, but Rob Taylor notched a late consolation effort to give Vale fans something to cheer about.
The game was the first for new Vale boss Jim Gannon and he handed youngster Sam Morsy a crack of the whip in the second half.

Festive Fixture Round Up

It's been a tough week in Burslem over the festive period. Having not played on home soil in the League since the 20th November Vale saw consecutive games against Barnet and Lincoln called off due to the cold spell.

They finally got back into action away at Gillingham on the 28th December alhtough they probably wished that had been called off as well as they went down 3-0 in Kent. Rumours were rife that boss Micky Adams was favourite for the vacant job at Sheffield United and Vale fans fears were confirmed 24 hours later when he was announced as the new boss.

It wasn't a great opening to 2011 for caretaker bosses Mark Grew and Geoff Horsefield as they took charge of a side that went down 5-0 away at Rotherham. Add to that the sending off of goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson.

But they rounded it off with a Bank Holiday 2-1 win over Burton where once again they were involved in a sending off but this time it was the turn of striker Marc Richards to recieve his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

There was a sense of relief around Vale Park as fans began to wonder whether without the influence of Adams that the team would be able to maintain their push for promotion but this seemed to settle any nerves.

The Valiants take a break from League action this weekend as they take on Burnley in the 3rd rond of the FA Cup. They could have key players missing as they wait to hear the outcome of an appeal against Stuart Tomlinson's red card on New Year's Day. Marc Richards will be suspended and could also use this time to recovery from a thigh injury sustained in the game and ended in a trip to the hospital as a precautionary measure.

Pre Season

Vale's pre season programme started in earnest over the weekend. Micky Adams took his squad to his local side Market Harborough and ended up on the winning side with a 3-0 win. While a side made up of youth team players won 2-1 at Rocester.
Sunday saw the customary friendly at Biddulph Vics. It looked like Vale might have ended up on the losing side after Biddulph took the lead, but it was Vale who eventually took control and ended up 3-1 winners.

Accrington

Port Vale's promotion dream still lives on after they found themselves within two points of the play-offs with a 2-1 win over Accrington Stanley last night.
Kris Taylor sealed the three points for the Valiants when his shot nestled in the corner of the net.
Striker Craig Davies had given the Valiants the lead in the first half, but Accrington hit back with a wonder strike after the break and a draw looked on the cards but Vale's ability to bounce back under boss Micky Adams saw them send yet another bumper travelling crowd of Vale fans home happy.

Final Score from the Crown Ground

Accrington Stanley 1 Port Vale 2

Aldershot

Port Vale's play-off dream still remains afer a 1-1 home draw against fellow promotion rivals Aldershot. Micky Adams'side now sit 10th in League Two, four points off the play-off pack.
The Valiants started off in the ascendency with the home advantage.Lewis Haldane was brought down 25 yards from goal but the referee judged that Haldane had dived.
A cup final like atmosphere for both sides at a very sunny Vale Park saw the half time whistle spark stalemate between the teams.
But it was Aldershot who came out fighting in the second, as Vale substituted captain Tommy Fraser, and Dean Morgan gave them the lead in the 63rd minute when he broke free and rounded keeper Chris Martin to fire the ball in the roof of the net.
A double substitute for Adams saw Sean Rigg and Rob Taylor brought into the side and Rigg turned super sub when he found the net in the 72nd minute.
A goalmouth scramble gave Vale a lifeline in the closing stages but the ball just couldn't be turned home.
With two aways games for the Vale next week, can they do what it takes to put them in with a fighting chance?

Final Score from Vale Park

Port Vale 1 Aldershot 1

Dagenham

Port Vale's play-off dream still hangs in the balance although a 3-1 win over fellow promotion Dagenham and Redbridge seemed to swing it Vale's way.
They now sit 10th in League Two with 59 points which still leaves them five points off the last occupied play off place, although when Dagenham took the lead in 15th minute through Marlon Pack, with a strong shot of an own goal as McCombe tired to hack it off the line to know avail.
Vale found the equaliser just before half time through Lewis Haldane as he bundled the ball into the net.
Rob Taylor on as a substiute gave Vale the deserved lead in the 74th minute and it was then Craig Daives who found the net four minutes later in the 78th minute to give Vale the three points infront of an Easter crowd.

Final Score from Vale Park
Port Vale 3 Dagenham and Redbridge 1

Rotherham

Port Vale's play-off dream moved a step closer with a win over promotion hopefuls Rotherham United at the Don Valley Stadium. Vale are now upto 11th in League Two with 56 points, five points off the last occupied play-off place.
Rotherham started the brighter of the two sides but Vale evenly matched them as the game headed towards the break and were unlucky not to go in at least a goal up.
But it was the second half that saw Vale turn up the heat. Craig Davies took the lead with his shot and then minutes later Marc Richards capatilised from a Tommy Fraser free kick to take the Valiants lead to 2-0.
Josh Walker scored with ten minutes left and the clock to make it 2-1 and a clearance from Vale defender Adam Yates in the closing minutes of the game ensured Vale went back down the M1 with all three points.
Do Micky Adams's side dare to dream the dream????

Final Score from the Don Valley Stadium

Rotherham United 1 Port Vale 2

Reserves Match Report

Port Vale reserves took on a Derby County side at a wet and windy Vale Park last night.
Vale started the brighter of the two sides and it was midfielder Doug Loft who put his side ahead with a diving header.
The game saw starts for trialist Chamal Fenelon and on-loan Lee Molyneux but it was Louis Dodds who saw most of the ball.
Vale took their lead to 2-0 when Fenelon turned out shot only to be denied, but Sean Rigg was there to fire the ball home, with shouts of offside.
In the second half youngster Anthony Malbon replace Fenelon and Vale carried on their scoring run.
A Rigg mis-kick, although he'll probably claim that he meant it, fell to Simon Richman who fired home.
Derby County, managed by Nigel Clough for the evening, pulled one back through Greg Mills but it was Vale who had the upper hand and a lovely finish by Malbon into the roof of the net made it 4-1 to the Valiants.

Final Score from Vale Park
Port Vale Reserves 4 Derby County Reserves 1

Crewe

Port Vale's play-off hopes took a bit of a dent in the local derby between local rivals Crewe.
Both teams started the game rather evenly and a 0-0 draw would have been a fair results. But it was a controversial decison that changed the game.
Vale defender Gareth Owen won the ball cleanly from Clayton Donaldson, and one of the worst refereeing performances you will see in League Two this season. Donaldson stepped up for the resulting spot kick, firing past goalkeeper Chris Martin, who was back between the sticks after Anyon's mistake at Cheltenham last week.
Vale's heads dropped after the decison and frustration set in as balls pinged around everywhere.
Both temas have shared the spoils this season, with Vale winning 2-1 at Gresty Road back in October.
With both sides set to remain in League Two for another season it looks the two will meet for a re-match next year.

Final Score from Vale Park

Port Vale 0 Crewe Alexandra 1

Cheltenham

Port Vale's play-off push took a bit of a dent at Whaddon Road as they only managed to pick up a point on the road.
Defender John McCombe gave the Valiants the lead with a well timed header. But it was a mistake from Joe Anyon that allowed Elito to equalise for Mark Yate's side just before half time.
The notable chance of the first half falling to Craig Davies, who hit the bar and then the post before blasting the third attempt high and wide.
Both sides shared the attempts on goal with Cheltenham provided the late surge but with little outcome.

Final Score from Whaddon Road
Cheltenham Town 1 - Port Vale 1

Chesterfield

Port Vale hadn't won at Chesterfield for 21 years but they more than made up for it with a 5-0 win at Saltergate.
A Marc Richards hat trick was the highlight of the day but it was Rob Taylor who opened the scoring with a sweetly struck shot from 18 yards.
Richards marked his first of the afternoon with a cheeky chip over Chesterfield keeper Tommy Lee to put the Valiants 2-0 up at the break.
After the re-start Richards scored his second, his initial shot hit the crossbar but bounced into the net to give Micky Adam's side a comfortable lead.
Richards earned himself the match ball when he headed home a Lee Collins cross. That was Richards last action of the day as he made way for Louis Dodds.
However, minutes later Vale fans were probably hoping that Richard was still on the field. Forward Craig Davies was clean through on goal until he was brought down by defender Alan Goodall, who received his marching orders for the challenge taking John Sheridan's side down to ten men.
Vale fans need not of worried as Davies converted the resulting penalty to make it
5-0.
The win takes the Vale to 9th in League Two, three points off the last remaing play off place.
Do fans dare to dream?

Final Score from Saltergate
Chesterfield 0 Port Vale 5.

Chesterfield

Port Vale travel to Chesterfield this weekend, in their last trip to Saltergate. The Spireites will move to a new developement next season, however as they currently occupy a play-off spot they could well be on the up.
The Valiants will be looking to expand on their win at home to Bradford on Tuesday evening and put a run of form back together.
Vale haven't beaten Chesterfield at Saltergate since April 1989 and will be looking to do something about it this weekend. If Vale win and remaining results go their way Micky Adams and his side could find themselves within touching distance of the play-offs come five o'clock.
Midfielder Paul Harsley is the former Valiant in the Chesterfield squad, only Marc Richards and Joe Anyon will remember playing alongside him at Vale Park.
The last time these two sides met was the beginning of February back in Burslem. Chesterfield came out winners with two first half goals from Aaron Downes and Dominic Green and they will be looking to reproduce that fine form again.
Craig Davies found Vale's equaliser that evening and with a few games without a goal he will want to be back amongst them again.
Fellow strike partner Marc Richards broke his little barren spell scoring the first on Tuesday evening and he will be hoping to add to his tally as the season enters it's final run in.
Chesterfield have a number of familiar names in their side from Derek Niven to Jack Lester as well as Wade Small, so the Vale will know exactly what to expect. What they do about it will remain to be seen.

Bradford

Port Vale earned a valuable three points on home soil with a 2-1 win over Bradford at Vale Park.
Normal service look to be resumed when on-loan Liverpool defender Robbie Threlfall scored after 11 minutes.
The Valiants had ample chances to level the scoring in the first half and striker Marc Richards squandered to chances in front of goal.
A defensive re-shuffle at half time saw Kris Taylor come on to replace Adam Yates and within five minutes of the re-start Richards was rewarded for his early efforts and equlaised for the Valiants.
It was then left to Rob Taylor to seal victory when his shot took a deflection to give Vale the winner.
Bradford offered little in reply allowing Adams men to take all three points. Vale are now up to 11th in League Two, a win at Chesterfield on Saturday and results going their way could well see them back in touching distance of the play-offs if they could hit a run of form when others seems to be slipping away.

Final Score from Vale Park
Port Vale 2 Bradford City 1

Northampton

Port Vale went down to another home defeat at the hands of Northampton Town.
The Cobblers took an early lead through main threat Adebayo Akinfenwa. The Valiants replied minutes later courtesy of Doug Loft who has made it two goals in two games for his own personal tally.
But it was a moment of madness from Vale keeper Joe Anyon that turned the game around. He dropped what looked like a routine catch allowing Abdul Osman to capitilise and in first half injury time Billy McKay struck to make it 3-1 at the break.
Adams reshuffled the pack at half time with a triple substitution. Kris Taylor, Louis Dodds and Lewis Haldane made way for John McCombe, Tommy Fraser and Craig Davies but still Vale could not find that winning formula.
They had two shots cleared off the line midway through the second half while Craig Davies came closest to scoring, the ball was in the net only to ruled out for a handball from the on-loan Brighton forward.

Final Score from Vale Park:
Port Vale 1 Northampton Town 3

Reserves

Trialist Shaun Kelly was the stand out player as Port Vale reserves beat Burton 2-1 at Vale Park.
The defender, who is on trial at Vale Park netted Vale's equaliser after Burton had taken the through James Knowles neat finish over keeper Chris Martin.
Vale suffered an early casualty when youngster Matt Bell, who warmed the first team bench last week had to withdraw from the game injured.
Both sides had chances to put their side ahead but the game remained stalemate at half time.
Midfielder Tommy Fraser was substituted at half time, which suggests that he could well be back in the first team squad for Saturday's visit of Northampton having missed two games through suspension.
Burton's Jimmy Philips was sent for an early bath after a crunching tackle on Sam Morsy.
Vale looked to have the upper hand and Shaun Kelly's header in the second half showed he had the determination and strength to win the ball and will stand him in good stead for a glowing reference for Micky Adams.
But it was Vale who clinched the winner in the closing stages of the game. Sam Morsy's shot was followed up by Anthony Malbon who turned the ball into the net to give the Valiants the win.

Darlington

Port Vale marked a return to their superb away form with a 3-1 win over bottom of the table side Darlington.
The Quakers took the lead in the opening five minutes thanks to a goal from top scorer Tadgh Purcell.
The Valiants looked dead and buried by half time but it was a series of half time substitutions from Micky Adams that changed Vale's fortunes. Sean Rigg replaced Craig Davies, who missed a clean cut chance in the first half while Adam Yates, who was dropped from the starting line up replaced John McCombe.
Doug Loft then replaced Rob Taylor and made his impression in minutes as he fired home. Louis Dodds made it 2-1 before Lewis Haldane finished it off with a third for the Valiants.
Purcell had a late chance for the home side only to see his shot cleared off the line by Yates.
Vale face Northampton at home on Saturday and will go into that game wtith some much needed confidence under the belts.

Morecambe

Port Vale's away record has taken a dip in form of late, their 1-0 defeat at Morecambe on Saturday was only their fourth defeat all season but looks to have put the side's play-off hopes well and truly to bed.
Morecambe took the lead via Phil Jevons on the 18th minute, after the ball had pinged around the Vale box.
Vale defender John McCombe came the closest to providing an equaliser, his sublime over-head kick was ruled out for offside.

Lincoln

Port Vale goalkeeper Joe Anyon marked his return to the side following a 12 month due to injury with a clean sheet in their 4-0 home win against Lincoln.
Vale took the lead after just 25 seconds when Imps defender Ian Pearce slotted the ball past his own stranded keeper and into the net.
Rob Taylor was next on the score sheet after finding himself on the end of Tommy Fraser's pass.
Marc Richards missed his chance to make it 3-0 within ten minutes after he missed from the penalty spot after a Pearce handball.
Craig Davies converted Lewis Haldane's cross to make it 3-0 after 15 minutes and the Vale crowd had to wait unitl the second half before John McCombe sent a fourth into the net.
Youngsters Sam Morsy and Anthony Malbon were given first team debuts on a frosty evening at Vale Park where only 3,231 fans got to witness the Valiants first in nearly a month.