Hazel was unavailable so I was transferred from the Cabin to the Cut Throat Lane turnstiles to sell programmes and 50/50 draw tickets, which meant I was able to say hello to a few people I hadn’t seen for a while! Janet took my place in the Cabin, and did a great job, but wouldn’t wear the bucket hat sample (see here: )
Kevin, a Sheffield United supporting friend (season ticket holder at Bramall Lane too) was at the game as one of his mates, Larry, was having a belated stag do….. Larry had married Dora in secret a few weeks ago! I wasn’t able to see them so I hope they enjoyed the match.
U’s started with Mannion in goal, L Bennett, R Bennett, Morrison and Andrews at the back, Digby and Thomas in the middle with Kaikai and Brophy wide, Kachunga and Ahadme at the front.
Apparently Vale had a good chance early on which was missed, and I missed seeing it too!
Kaikai looked dangerous going forward, and had a good shot blocked. Not long after he tried another shot which went closer to the practice goal on the sideline than the one he was supposedly aiming for!
Vale looked comfortable without really troubling Mannion, but on 19 minutes a through ball between the Bennetts put Garrity in on goal and he duly scored. 0-1. A strong hint of offside, but not a reason to have VAR!
U’s had a good chance to equalise when Kaikai got his head to a cross but Ripley in goal made a great save.
Vale almost scored again when Mannion took too long with a pass back and his clearance was charged down by Wilson, the ball just clearing the goal. Vale looked the better team as nothing seemed to go right for U’s, Brophy fell over his own feet when well placed, and L Bennett had a shot that was high and wide.
Half time: 0-1.
The second half continued with Vale looking slightly the better team, but that changed on the hour when Kachunga, Kaikai and Ahadme were replaced by Lankester, Gordon and Okenabirhie. Gordon looked lively on our left, and had a shot blocked that fell for Andrews to shoot across goal but the ball hit the foot of the post and was cleared.
Soon after Gordon again did well taking the ball into their penalty area before cutting back then chipping to the back post for Okenabirhie to nod home for the equaliser on 65 minutes.
L Bennett had one of his poorer games, and it could have been much worse when a bad backpass set up Massey with only Mannion to beat but the keeper made a great block and the ball was eventually cleared.
George Thomas got a knock to the head and was replaced by May on 83 minutes (welcome back Adam), and within 5 minutes May found Lankester near the corner of their 6 yard box where he twisted one way then the other and was about to shoot before being tripped for an obvious penalty. Okenabirhie took it, but it was not hit hard or into the corner, the keeper guessed the correct way and was able to make an easy save.
Some added time pressure from Vale was defended well.
Final score: 1-1.
The draw is probably the fair result, Vale had some good play for 60% of the match and could have won, and we should have scored the penalty to get 3 points.
I expect that many fans will clamour for the 11 that finished the game to start the next game (away at Derby), but I doubt that will happen. May will need more match minutes before being ready to start, but Gordon looked a threat when he came on, as did Okenabirhie, but was it because they were against tiring defenders?
As I write this the Blades lost at home to Newcastle 8-0……I wonder which match Kevin enjoyed most this weekend?
Manager reactions, highlights, fan vlogs etc
Royston U’s comments:
Jon: Started slow, got going, should have won, point probably fair result. Looking much improved this season, think we will more than hold our own.
Tom: Dragged till the subs came on
Kevin: Agree with Tom. I think the starting XI could do with a tweak & I still can’t for the life of me understand how Brophy plays 90 minutes, week in, week out.