[Gary B]

Vale lose to a possibly dubious first-half goal and have enough good chances to have gained something from this game.

Vale had Goodlad in goal, with McGregor, Pilkington, Walsh and James as the back four. In midfield were Cummins, Sonner and Togwell. Birchall and Smith were on the flanks with Constantine between them as sole striker. The Bantams had Bridge-Wilkinson, receiving his usual hostile reception from Vale fans, in their starting line-up. I passed a late fitness test on the day after several visits to the hospital this week following very heavy nose bleeds.

On 11 minutes Cadamarteri shot wide and three minutes later Windass had his shot blocked by Walsh. The same two Bradford players caused Vale further anxiety sonn afterwards but Vale kept the game goalless.

Vale began to threaten when the game reached the half-hour mark. On 28 minutes Constantine set up Togwell but he shot wide. Togwell came close again on 31 minutes but Ricketts saved well.

On 32 minutes Ricketts was again required to save well from Togwell.

On 44 minutes came the moment of controversy. Erratic ref Lewis awarded City a corner. He decided that the ball had touched James on the way out rather than having gone straight out from Colbeck. I suppose Goodlad did not help by giving the impression that he was desperate to prevent what he himself thought was a corner. This all happened in front of us. TV evidence has not so far been shown but I will be surprised if the ref was correct. In any event the cross from the resulting corner reached the unmarked Bower, who kneed it into the net. TV suggests that Windass was also climbing all over Walsh, preventing him from heading the ball. Watch this in slow-motion. A poorly conceded goal in all respects. Expect the ref was pleased.

Seconds before half time Cadamarteri put the ball into the net again but the linesman had already flagged for what appeared to be a routine offside.

In the 48th minute a fine cross from James found Constantine unmarked in the six yard box, centrally-placed and with a simple header to complete in order to score. He headed wide. Horrific miss.

Jeff Smith had one effort brilliantly saved by Ricketts. The keeper, a giant of a man who had played really well at Vale Park this season, was struggling with an injury and involved in good-natured banter with Vale fans who were jeering every attempt he made to take goal-kicks, most of which seemed to be aimed at Birchall, a player well-known to him.

Dinning nearly scored an own goal but Goodlad saved the day.

On 82 minutes Smith headed just wide and then James had a free-kick which was easily saved by Ricketts. One day he may add to his goalscoring tally from one of these.

In added time sub Sam had a wonderful chance to open his account with Vale. Togwell's cross found Sam unmarked. The ball was allowed to bounce and Sam only had to make any reasonable kind of header to gain an equaliser but he only managed to head the ball over the bar. Rubbish.

Vale had 49% of the possession, 4 on-target efforts to their 4, 5 off-target to their 7, 7 corners to their 4. The attendance was 7139 including a noisy 249 from Vale. Ref Lewis was the guy who sent off Barker (breaker of Sam's leg) of Rotherham in the league game at Vale Park this season. That was the last favour he did us. He had a less-than-satisfactory game - an obvious homer! He booked James and McGregor of Vale and Windass of Bradford.

I can't understand some of the critical comments made following this game, especially the view that Vale never looked like scoring. The fans gave them a decent reception at the end - not a booing. Ricketts made several good saves and Vale should have done better on at least three occasions. Vale did have some good spells in the game, especially before the goal. I have witnessed far worse performances from the Vale. Yet again, however, Vale's inabilty to score proved costly. One goal from the opposition is enough as we look unlikely to score many. This must be addressed in the close season. I hope that Sam might be able to contribute after a good pre-season behind him, assuming Vale retain him, which I believe they will.

We sat next to the full membership of the Melbourne (Australia, not Derbyshire) Branch of the Vale Supporters' Club. They did not bring luck with them. but the weather was worthy of Australia.

I spoke to Mick Cullerton outside the ground, reminding him that 40 years ago he was in Vale's youngest-ever forward line (five players) at Bradford City - three lads aged 17, one 18 and one 19. We lost 0-2.

Boomer made his usual good-humoured contribution to proceedings, engaging in banter with their Bantam, City Gent with his hat and umbrella and a tasty-looking set of young ladies whose job it was to lift the passions of the crowd, in which they succeeded. How things have changed since I used to see brass bands or police-dog training entertaining the crowd at Vale Park many moons ago. It'll be lap-dancing at half-time before long.

The stadium is excellent and the view from the away end (upper tier) is good, unlike just about anywhere at Vale Park. There are towering stands around the ground. It does look like piecemeal development as all stands are very different in design and height. It was a design marvel to build a stand on the Midland Road side, where there used to be coverered terracing which always looked precariously-placed.

Chesterfield next week for the final home game. We must end on a high note. We may get one of those pitch invasions at the end. There might appear to be little to celebrate but I think there are promising signs and there has been much welcome financial news recently. We do not need to make wholesale changes but everything depends on which of the good players re-sign.

Eddie

[TheSage]

Even though we lost, your report, Eddie, has cheered me up.
After yesterday's poor comments I heard and read from some folk about the game (most probably they did not go!) it is at least hopeful to read that you felt that we probably should have got a draw from the match and did quite well.
But you are right - our goalscoring record is abysmal and MUST be addressed next season, otherwise we have no chance of making progress.
Mick Cullerton could be a lazy so snd so at times but he certainly knew where the net was and found it often.
I think I can recall him scoring three in the snow against Chester one winter.
We have received a lot of good news off the field regarding financial investment but fans are more concerned about on the field matters.
We really do need to try to attract one or two decent players to the Club in the summer as did Tranmere with Greenacre. Perhaps one or two of the relegated sides might have players out of contract who are worthy of consideration.
I too hope that we can finish with a flourish next week but it isn't a particularly attractive fixture. They lost yesterday so will want to win and often cause us problems with their direct aerial play.
It would be nice to go into the summer on a "high" note would it not?