Vale bow out of the JPT
PORT VALE: Chris Neal, Adam Yates, John McCombe, Doug Loft, Jennison Myrie-Williams, Ashley Vincent, Calvin Andrew, Sam Morsy, Ben Williamson, Sean McAllister, Liam Chilvers. SUBS: Louis Dodds, Rob Taylor, Chris Shuker, Joe Davis, Ryan LloydBRADFORD CITY: John McLaughlin, Stephen Darby, Ricky Ravenhill, Ritchie Jones, Craig Forsyth, Carl McHugh, Garry Thompson, Alan Connell, Tom Naylor, Blair Turgott, Curtis Good. SUBS: James Hanson, Gary Jones, Nahki Wells, Nathan Doyle, Matt Duke
Attendance: 2,786 including 120 visiting supporters
Vale made five changes from the side that started at Bramall Lane in the FA Cup with skipper Doug Loft returning to the starting eleven. He was joined by Calvin Andrew, Sean McAllister, Liam Chilvers and Sam Morsy.
There was early action at both ends. A couple of free kicks from the away side just outside the box causing no problem for Chris Neal and John McCombe was just off target at the other end.
Craig Forstyth had a couple of goalscoring opportunities which he failed to take, one of them from six yards after the ball was whipped into the Vale box by Blair Turgott.
Bradford looked sharp on the ball and Blair Turgott looked particularly lively down Vale’s left hand side, but it was the Vale who were looking the more dangerous.
Garry Thompson ought to have done better for the Bantams when he shook off the attention of John McCombe out wide on Vale’s right, cut inside and tried his luck with a low drive which Chris Neal gathered with ease.
Jennison Myrie-Williams stung the fingers of John McLaughlin with a 30 yard drive which the Bradford ‘keeper was happy to turn around his left hand post.
McLaughlin was having plenty to do in the closing stages of the first half, making several saves at the foot of the post, but neither side could break the deadlock and they went in at half time goalless.
Vale made a substitution at the start of the second half with Louis Dodds coming off the bench to replace Ben Williamson.
GOAL: - a former Vale target – Drilled the ball low to Chris Neal’s left from 15 yards.RITCHIE JONESBut within 45 seconds of the restart Vale found themselves a goal down when
Myrie-Williams linked with Calvin Andrew before bursting into the Bradford box, but he elected to try a shot when there were Vale players screaming unmarked for the ball towards the far post.
minute when Vale had what appeared to be valid claims for a penalty turned down when McHugh appeared to trip Myrie-Williams on the edge of the 6 yard box. The Vale winger was booked for diving.rdThe crowd were up in arms in the 53
GOAL: received the ball in front of goal with time to pick his spot and he slammed home Bradford’s second.CRAIG FORSYTHTwo minutes later the visitors doubled their lead when an unmarked
minute. On came Rob Taylor and Chris Shuker for Calvin Andrew and Sean McAllister.thVale made a double substitution in the 58
Vale went for three at the back with Doug Loft now employed on the right hand side of midfield as they looked to salvage something out of the game.
minute after Myrie-Williams left Nathan Doyle for dead and hammered the ball towards goal, but the ‘keeper had read the play and raced off his line to make the block.stMcLaughlin did well in the 81
In the end Vale were unable to do enough to reverse their fortunes and bowed out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at the Area Quarter Final stage.