[Eddie]

Vale gain three points against a Gillingham side which probably deserved more and would have gained something had their finishing been better and Anyon not in great form.

Sinnott took Talbot out of the first eleven and Edwards was omitted as he has to see a specialist about his injury. He went with Anyon, Harsley (right-back), Pearce, Pilkington, Eckersley (left-back), Whitaker (right), Hulbert, Howland, Perry (left), Rodgers, Richards. On the bench were Mulligan, McGregor, Talbot, Cardle, Glover.

On 1 minute Harsley crossed from the right to Perry who headed over the bar.

On 2 minutes a cross from the Gillingham left by Nutter was caught by Anyon.

On 5 minutes Howland crossed to Perry who shot over the bar.

On 9 minutes Vale gained a corner and it resulted in Rodgers hitting the bar.

On 11 minutes a cross from Nutter was caught by Anyon.

On 12 minutes Perry was fouled on the left by the goal-line. From the free-kick Pearce headed over the bar.

On 17 minutes Vale gained a corner, from which Richards hit the ball into the net for his first senior goal for the Vale. 1-0 to the Vale.

On 19 minutes Jackson, moving in from the left, hit the ball towards Anyon who made a save at the expense of a corner. This corner led to a second which Anyon flapped at before Stone hit the ball over the bar.

On 22 minutes a Miller cross from the right ended up as a throw to the Vale on the other side of the pitch.

On 24 minutes Vale gained a corner which was cleared.

On 27 minutes Vale gained another corner which was cleared.

On 28 minutes a throw-in to Gillingham reached the unmarked Howard who hit a shot over the bar.

On 29 minutes a cross from Richards provided another corner for the Vale which was cleared.

On 30 minutes Hulbert fouled Jackson and the referee awarded Gillingham a penalty. It looked like a correct decision to me though others better-placed than me were sceptical and felt that Hulbert had played the ball first or even outside the area. I await the TV evidence for clarification. Anyon guessed correctly and made a good save.

On 32 minutes Jackson hit a shot wide of goal.

On 35 minutes Hulbert was replaced as he had a rib injury. On came Mulligan who went to right-back with Harsley moving into midfield.

On 36 minutes Miller's shot was met with a great save by Anyon.

On 37 minutes Jackson again shot wide for Gillingham.

On 43 minutes Jackson's shot was saved by Anyon but the ball bobbled clear and the onrushing Bentley had a gilt-edged chance to equalise. Instead he managed to lift the ball over the bar from close range for a goal-kick.

On 44 minutes Vale gained a corner but as it was taken the referee spotted an infringement (heaven knows what) and gave Gillingham a free-kick.

One minute was added and the whistle went with the score 1-0 to the Vale.

On 49 minutes great play by Perry, cleverly pushing the ball past his marker and then racing past him to gather it, led to him crossing the ball to Whitaker who pushed the ball wide of goal.

On 53 minutes Rodgers played the ball to Whitaker. At the time there didn't really seem anything on for him but he surged forward before hitting a wonderful shot, left-footed, from a central position and the ball flew past the keeper's left and into the corner of the net. Radio Five had a reporter at the game and he was purring over the supreme quality of the goal. 2-0 to the Vale.

On 59 minutes Stone was replaced by Griffiths for Gillingham.

On 64 minutes Gillingham gained a corner which was cleared.

On 65 minutes Miller's shot was met with a great save by by Anyon.

On 67 minutes a Gillingham corner led to a free-kick to Vale because of an infringement.

On 68 minutes Jackson shot wide of the Vale goal.

On 69 minutes a Gillingham corner was cleared.

On 69 minutes some clever play down the Vale right ended with a Perry header from virtually ground level.

On 70 minutes a cross from Harsley was caught by the keeper.

On 72 minutes Howland fed the ball to Eckersley who lost the ball on the edge of the box when trying to work himself into a shooting position.

On 73 minutes Rodgers had a long-range shot saved easily by keeper Stillie.

On 74 minutes Howard was replaced by Cumbers for the Gills.

On 76 minutes a powerful shot from Richards was blocked with difficulty by the keeper.

On 77 minutes a Gillingham corner reached sub Griffiths and he fired the ball into the far corner of the Vale net. 2-1 to the Vale.

On 78 minutes Griffiths was rightly booked for one of those much-frowned-upon lunging tackles on Eckerlsey. I don't think much actual contact was made but it was no thanks to Griffiths.

On 79 minutes the tiring Eckersley was replaced by Talbot.

On 81 minutes Mulligan's free-kick reached Pearce who shot over the bar.

On 81 minutes Rodgers was booked for shooting the ball after the ref had blown his whistle for offside.

On 86 minutes Vale were given a corner when I did wonder if Richards was pushed in the area. Vale did appeal for a penalty but the ref ignored them.

On 86 minutes Pearce was booked for a foul.

Three minutes were added.

On 91 minutes Nutter hit a free-kick over the bar from a good position just outside the Vale box and centrally-placed.

On 91 minutes Oli was booked for Gillingham for a foul.

On 92 minutes Richards was booked for Vale for time-wasting.

2-1 to Vale at full-time.

Vale had 49% of the possession, 3 on-target efforts to their 4, 6 off-target efforts to their 6 and 7 corners to their 6. Vale had three yellow-carded (Rodgers, Richards, Pearce) while Gillingham had two (Oli and Griffiths). Referee Kettle has previously done Vale games at Yeovil and Bristol Rovers this season. In the latter he gave Vale and Rovers a penalty each (that to Rovers being more dubious than the one he gave to the Vale!) and sent off Herd, after which he admitted that he was wrong to second yellow card Herd (which could not therefore be rescinded). I do find him an erratic ref and he had some moments today but nothing which influenced the result. The attendance was a mere 3157 including 234 Gillingham fans. I hope the 234 gave Vale fans a thought as they sat under cover at the Hamil End, unlike those of us who were soaked through in their open-air stand last December. Home games against Leyton, Huddersfield and Northampton are not likely to bring in many more than 3000..

Although this was not a game of great skill it was always a match with incident and interest. It kept fans on their toes for the 90 minutes. At the time when Vale took the lead it was deserved as Vale had had the better of things but Gillingham offered much more challenge as the game went on. A suggestion from a Gillingham fan who texted Praise and Grumble that they should have won 8-2 is an exaggeration but they were certainly threatening and Anyon was rightly named as Man of the Match. Once they equalised I feared the worst but Gills did not manage to get the equaliser their contribution merited.

Apart from the excellent Anyon Pearce again stood out. He looks mature far beyond his years. He doesn't just wham the ball forward, always preferring to seek the constructive route out of defence and towards the opposition goal. He heads the ball very powerfully. I hope Vale can reach some kind of agreement with Birmingham about an extended loan spell next season - assuming that he is willing to come. Eckersley did well enough on his return but said after the game that he was exhausted after 80 minutes on the pitch for the first time in ages. He didn't seem enthusiastic about the prospect of joining Vale in League Two when interviewed. Perry did some good work on the left and continues to surprise us with his deft touch for such a big lad. He will have much to offer next season whether as an orthodox striker or as a left-winger. Richards is now showing what his injuries have cost us this season. He may never score as many as Rodgers but he plays with far more intelligence than Luke, laying off the ball skilfully. Midfield played with industry rather than invention but we've witnessed that throughout the season so no surprise now.

The weather proved interesting. It was cold from the start and became even colder during the game. We witnessed snow, which was blowing against Vale in the second half and which cannot have been pleasant for them. It is the first time I've been involved in singing In the Bleak Midwinter and Jingle Bells at an Easter Vale game.

Vale at least managed to keep things going a little longer. We did Crewe a favour and ourselves a disservice by sending Gillingham closer to the drop. We would make more from having a visit from Crewe than Gillingham in normal circumstances. We are unlikely to prolong the situation for much longer but it would be good if we could keep it going into April ie beyond Saturday's game. We beat Leyton 3-0 in the first game of last season but have since lost two away games at their ground. They are falling off the pace as regards play-offs but they will arrive at Vale Park with hopes still alive.

Eddie

[MarkyBoy]

On that last point Eddie:

If Vale beat Leyton Orient, Birmingham beat Man City and Derby fail to beat Fulham, then the Rams will be the first team to be relegated this season.

Hopefully that happens and we at least avoid that record and can still go into April dreaming!

17 Cheltenham 40 -17 47
18 Bristol Rovers 37 -3 46
19 Millwall 40 -14 45
20 Crewe 40 -16 44

----------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------

21 Gillingham 39 -28 39
22 Bournemouth 40 -17 32
23 Luton 39 -14 30
24 Port Vale 40 -30 29

All those teams are still in reach.

Saturday, 29 March 2008
Bournemouth v Millwall, 15:00
Cheltenham v Northampton, 15:00
Gillingham v Carlisle, 15:00
Luton v Crewe, 15:00
Port Vale v Leyton Orient, 15:00
Yeovil v Bristol Rovers, 15:00

I think the best we can hope for now is delaying the inevitable until April. Hopefully a win on Saturday will do that.

[santiago]

Any chance of, say, Millwall going into administration before the end of the season?

[Eddie]

Sadly, Gillingham have a much harder-looking programme than Crewe so I fear that we will be facing the Gills again next season. We've not had big followings at Gillingham since they did some work on the ground so few can have experienced it. That game there last December was the pits - sitting in the open air in the pouring rain. They had an initial improvement under Mark Stimson (my first choice as Vale boss) but have fallen back into the pack. Who knows what he might have done for us - prob no more than Sinnott, to whom I continue to give my support. They must be disappointed to lose twice to the Vale and also lose that key home game against Crewe recently.

By the way, there were some Americans at today's game - in the Railway Stand. I'm told they have been watching games at different grounds, including Old Trafford. At least they didn't watch an appalling game today. Perhaps they may make a bid for the club.

Wonder if we can be the FIRST side promoted next season? Win the first 30 games, amass 90 points - that should be enough!

[TheSage]

A win at home is not to be sniffed at but I thought that we were very fortunate indeed.
It was a low key affair, yet end to end and plenty of talking points.

Overall, I felt that we were poor and Gillingham hapless, though they only have themselves to blame. They must have missed 3-4 gilt edged, almost open goal chances, as well as the penalty, although Anyon was outstanding today and for me had his best game in a Vale shirt. 2-3 of his saves were top drawer and he deservedly won the MOTM.

Anyon apart, I thought that Perry battled hard. It was nice to see Richards score. And Whitaker's goal was a quality strike. But that was about it.

The defence looked at sixes and sevens, notably in the last 20 minutes when we could not hold on to the ball and gave possession away cheaply and stupidly.
Pilks I thought had a dreadful match - barely winning a header against Oli and getting turned too easily.
Mulligan cannot defend aggressively for a full back, good as he is going forward.
And the midfield continues to give the back four very little protection. We have been too lightweight in there all season.

It was exciting because they threw men forward in an effort to grab an equaliser at least. But the quality on show was poor and we were very fortunate to hold out I thought.

They had only one tactic - the long ball. But we struggled to cope, defending too far high up the pitch and allowing their quick lads to turn or run onto long balls. Pearce was often out on the wing and what was Hulbert doing as the last man, marking a foward for their penalty? Perhaps their movement was too good for us on occasions.

Don't get me wrong. I'm delighted to see us win. But we simply have to do a lot better than that if we don't want to be among the dead men next year. I agree with Sinnott - it was a win; now let's forget it and move on.

I too heard the interview with Eckersley who was non-commital and strictly non plussed about coming here. Pearce I would think needs to continue his education in Div 1 next season, but I'm hoping that Lowe might stay on. Is he still injured? He isn't in Pearce's class but who is at our level?

At least the big R is not yet against our name but the season is petering out into nothing.
I hope that Perry grabs a deserved goal for us before May and it should be good seeing Fortune on Saturday possibly.
I caught a glimpse of Birchall today - so maybe we intend splashing the cash next year! They were not always appreciated while with us but what we would give to have the likes of him, Paynter and Collins in the team again.

[rock]

As you said Eddie, Pearce is definatley worth keeping next season. Also I was Impressed with Howland yesterday, he made mistakes but he can surely do us a good job next season.

Another point I'd like to bring up is if fit Richards will be our 20 goal a season striker.

[kirsty]

Thanks for the report Eddie. Some good invidual perofmances. I like the look of Perry - he gives it his 'all' in a position that he doesn't look entirely comfortable with. What I like about him is that he'll play to his own strengths in that position, never doing too much or too little as other players sometimes have in that position. I'd prefer to see him as a striker, and hope that we can fit him in somewhere in the next season. He reminds me a little of Lee Matthews, carrying a touch less weight. He holds the ball up well and is a little more 'old fashioned' in his play.

[TheSage]

Lee Matthews?
More like Bernard Matthews!!

(Only joking Kyle)

[Jason]

Thanks for the report again Eddie

Three things stood out in the main for me from Mondays game

1. Marc Richards could really be a big player next season. He looks hungry, and I know from speaking to him he is desperate to show the supporters what he can do. In Richards, Rodgers and Perry we have a useful mix of abilities which should reap dividends in the lower league. Good finish too.

2. The game could be split into two, before and after Rob Hulbert went off. He is a spoiler, and he's good at it. He breaks up play, stifles rhythm and generally does the dirty work that it appears no-one else is capable of. Once he went off, they had an outlet through midfield that we couldn't cope with.

3. Danny Whitaker is clearly very talented. Mark Goodlad said he is technically the most gifted player in the squad. So play him wherever the hell he feels the most comfortable. And sit back and enjoy. What a magnificent goal. New contract please gaffer!!


Elsewhere, Pilks looked miles off the pace throughout the game, which was a bit of a concern. Pearce almost looks bored when he's defending at this level. He is going to have a huge future, I'm certain of that.

I agree with you to an extent Sage, but we've been all too quick to criticise the Vale this season for dominating games and not converting chances into goals. A lesser performance and more clinical finishing in some of those games would have seen us in a healthier position, so I'll take a win under those circumstances, its about time we had the rub of the green.

One last thing. Well done Joe. Some of the stick he has had this season has been relentless, and I'm really pleased for him, superb display, lets hope he can carry that confidence into Leyton Orient on Saturday

[Sister Moonshine]

It wan't a very good game but Danny's goal was good and what about that flick by Rodgers that hit the bar in the first half? That was very good.