After the sh*tshow of our game being called off last Satdy cos someone had died, our overlords deign Barnsley v Port Vale permission to play their midweek 3rd division clash affecting virtually nobody. As long as there’s a minute’s silence and a rendition of the national anthem. If ever there was a game for a republican atheist to arrive late to, this was it. So, needless to say, there were no traffic problems, no parking problems, no turnstile problems and I was in unusually early. Saw Wadd pre-match, who said Darrell was only coming in once the aforementioned nonsense was over….but it’s easy for him, he lives in view of Oakwell.
Yes, Queenie has died. In a historic match that will live long in the memory of nobody, we play our first game under a new monarch. (Charles wasn’t here, by the way. Least, I don’t think so…) The minute’s silence was impeccably observed, as I sat stirring my cuppa. Then the national anthem, some guff about wanting someone to be our ruler forever. Strangely, I couldn’t see anyone singing it in the East Upper, but it’s true I could only see about 30 people, the rude types in front of me blocking my view. Loko assures me fans were getting right behind the king in the Ponty though, but I s’pose that IS where the serfs sit. (Just teasing.) They’d have been happy with the programme cover though…Reds legend Queen Elizabeth II.
I worried the minute’s silence would turn into 90 (as per…) but actually, there was a bit of noise, helped in part by Vale’s tremendous following of nearly 600. Some home fans had booed the temerity of the Valiants to be chanting pre-match but this bunch have recently put up with 4th division football, nearly getting relegated to non-league, nearly going out of business and last season were 2 divisions behind us. So at least one set of fans was happy enough at Oakwell.
The difference in class looked apparent too, as Benson for Beds stroked the ball around from central midfield, running the show. It took me 10 minutes to realise it was actually Herbie Kane, back from injury! I presumed Josh had let his hair grow and had an identical bald spot to that of Kane. Anyway, Herbie was dropping deep, picking it up, spraying it about. But what I liked best was his awareness of danger…no fannying about when under pressure, clipping the ball into space or even out of touch. But not taking risks. It was like watching a 3rd division right footed version of Alex Mowatt. Inevitably, Kane tired and was taken off after 70 minutes, but I liked what I saw in that first half.
That said, I think we had 2 shots on target prior to scoring. The keeper made a 20 yard bobbler (Connell?) look difficult, turning it round the post, but he was alert to a quick turn and snapshot from Devante Cole. We should make a video of that turn and shot and sell him before anyone realises he’s not a footballer. Cole was excellent throughout. Worked hard, chased back, won flick ons. If only he’d converted the big chance at 1-0, as Kitching (?) played the ball across and it came off his studs for the keeper to make a scrambling save. Big, big, chance…but at least he got it on target, which is more than Thomas did, blazing one over from 6 yards, 1st half, with his right foot. Inevitable.
When we did take the lead, it was from an unlikely source. (I s’pose our centre forward scoring would also constitute ‘an unlikely source’.) Right wingback Jordan Williams crossed for left wingback Kitching to head home on the backpost. I can’t remember a wingback to wingback goal since Neil Thompson crossed low for Nicky Eaden against the Blunts in our promotion season. And whilst I’m not comparing the two sides, in terms of passing and possession, we’re improving. We never looked FASTER than Port Vale, but we always seemed to have a man extra. A pity then that we couldn’t create more in that final third.
With 76 minutes on the clock, we played our cards. Collins was warned by the ref for timewasting. Timewasting! With 15 minutes left, AT HOME to PORT VALE. What message does that send out to the opposition? We’re bricking it and they can throw men forward. By now, with several subs made…us 4, them 5…we were all over the place, so the equaliser came as no surprise. Vale crossed from the right and their ONE player, up against THREE defenders and a goalkeeper, headed in. Was it me said that our defence is our strength? Mads, Jordan and some other centre half whose name I haven’t memorised, nor whose play has impressed me sufficiently was the other one. Cundy? McCarthy? Who know? All these lower division defenders look the same to me. Craig Ireland? Peter Handyside? Tony Vaughan?
Suddenly, we had to try and score again. Only Duff had taken Cole off for Norwood (did he get a kick?) and Thomas, who’d somehow dribbled his way to MOTM. But in injury time, one of the new lads, the #14, cut inside and unleashed a 25 yarder towards the top corner, finely tipped over. I think he’s called Josh Martin and Google tells me he’s 20 and on loan from Norwich. Anyway, I already like the look of him. Vale’s response was to run up the field and hit a 20 odd yarder of their own into the top corner, Collins making a superb save. Most entertaining one minute of the season.
Onwards and upwards!
*** Kitching. Duff obvs sees something in Kitching and his marauding runs, moving him to left wing back. Won tackles, got forward well, delivered crosses…and scored!
** Cole. Best game I’ve seen from him in a Reds shirt.
* Kane. Tailed off after HT but a promising return for Benson for Beds Mark I.
Official MOTM: Thomas. A couple of great dribbles ending in nothing, as well as a couple of shots screwed into the crowd. He's only young.
Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Kitching 2. Cole 3. Thomas
Despatches:
Although two points dropped, I’d say a fair result. Port Vale missed some good chances too. The ref came in for the usual ire, but my only beef was a couple of goalkicks which should have been corners to us. He was spot on for the yellow cards….one for a sub obstructing their throw-in, a couple for dirty (sorry, professional) fouls preventing breaks…and Kitching for kicking the ball away. ‘But what about them, ref?’ cried one fan. Well, the one break they prevented with a foul was on the edge of our own box. Otherwise, they hadn’t done anything worthy of a yellow. We also had a first half penalty appeal, as the ball appeared to hit the player’s hand (outside the box) before bouncing and possibly hitting his hand again INSIDE the box. I’d have to see that one again, but until we reach the Prem (!), the ref isn’t going to have that luxury
Drink du jour: Nothing. Mark of respect, etc. (Didn’t have time.)
Away: 597. Great turnout midweek from those Vale folk!
Today’s take home: The players are becoming more comfortable in possession.
The Damage:
c.£34 travel
= £34
The Tunes:
BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix, 1998 (Carl Cox)
BB6 Music (Steve Lamacq / Gideon Coe)
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