PumaYouth Alliance League Fixture.
North West Conference.

Rochdale FC 1 - 2 Port Vale FC

Saturday 29th March 2008 at Hopwood University.
Starting line up:
In goal: Lloyd Ransome
Back four: Jordan Branch, Jonathan Crompton, Matthew Blake (T), Sean Pike.
Midfield: Jake Brown (T), Ross Davidson, James Beeston, Sam Morsy.
Up front: Luke Chapman, Andrew Osei-Siribour.
Subs: Jamie Elwell, Lyndon Share, Nathan Sutton.

The Valiants returned this week after their postponed match against Morecambe with some fresh faces in the team to face Rochdale. There was a strong wind blowing across the pitch which was to have a big impact on the game. Rochdale with the advantage of the wind, threatened the Vale goal a few times in the first half, however Ransome and the back four dealt comfortably with the threats until sloppy defending allowed the Rochdale striker to smash the ball into the net, from a left wing cross for the first goal.
On 35 minutes the Vale responded, a ball was whipped in from the right hand side, headed out by the Rochdale centre back. The ball bounced out to the edge of the box to James Beeston who took a touch before volleying home into the back of the net to level the scores.

Half time: Rochdale 1 - 1 Port Vale FC.

The Vale started the second half the brightest, having most of the possession and forcing Rochdale into making mistakes. Rochdale did look dangerous occasionally on the break but the Vale defense held firm. After 65 minutes, with the game hanging in the balance the Vale took the lead. A long ball over the defense by Davidson was collected by Chapman on the volley and fired into the bottom corner of the net.
From then on the Vale were tight in defense, coping easily with the Rochdale strike force.
The game ended 5 minutes early due to an unfortunate event; the Rochdale defender breaking his leg when tackling Sam Morsy.
The whole Port Vale squad would like to wish him a speedy recovery.

Full Time: Rochdale FC 1 - 2 Port Vale FC.

Match Reporter James Beeston.
First year Apprentice.