The men in amber played their first home game in a number of days and welcomed the Valiants from Port Vale to the Abbey Stadium. Both teams had made a fair start to the season and another decent crowd of 6905 including 700 odd from Staffordshire made up the attendance on a pleasant afternoon. United had noticed about a 14% increase in attendances so far this season. All very encouraging. I had the pleasure of watching the match sitting next to Colin Murkin who was recovering from a knee op and prior to the game met former RAF colleague Tim McNicholas a die hard Vale fan for our first meeting in over 20 years.
United kicked off towards the south stand with winger Sullay Kai Kai looking menacing. United had stroked the ball around nicely but were nearly undone on 3 minutes after good work from Plant who crossed for Chislett to shoot narrowly wide. Kai Kai then had a shot blocked following a long clearance from keeper Will Mannion. Following a corner Paul Digby had an effort blocked. Kai Kai finding himself in space fired over the crossbar. Clark of Port Vale was caught offside moments later. The flag was not to come to United’s rescue on 20 as Chislett fed a neat ball into the United box for Ben Garrity to side foot past Mannion for 0-1. There looked a hint of offside but the goal stood and United’s defenders looked at them selves, that was all rather too easy.
James Brophy tried to get the home side back in the game but was fouled by Vale’s Balmer, who earned a yellow card. Moments later and the scores should have been level as Andrew sent over a cross for Kai Kai to head at goal but giant keeper Ripley made a good save. Perhaps other united forwards should have been in that central forward position. United were sloppy with their passing and gave the ball away too many times. Vale on the other hand were stroking the ball around quite nicely and clearly lifted by the goal. Michael Morrison was the victim of a late tackle which saw Wilson become the second Vale player booked. Liam Bennett was having a torrid time against a taller player who beat him to headers each and every time. Bennett is not a bad player but the visitors had done their homework. United were below their best summed up just before half time when Mannion having the ball played back to him had no one to pass too and his clearance was charged down and just cleared the crossbar. Liam Bennett had the last word in the first half but fired over after being set up by James Brophy. Half time came at 0-1. The visitors had looked the better team.
Half time saw Vale send on Cass for Balmer and Sang for Clark. A number of free kicks stopped any flow in the game, the U’s getting frustrated and Vale looking quite happy. Following a corner from Sang, Wilson for the visitors shot just wide, United had not woken up yet. Vale replaced Wilson with Massey, the visitors still looking useful and United not at their best. Then on 62 United made a triple substitution with Lankaster, Okenabirhie and Kymani-Gordon on for Kai Kai, Kachunga and Ahadme. The difference was immediate as Kymani-Gordon attacking his full back and firing in an effort which was blocked. Danny Andrew then tried his luck but the ball hit the base of the post. The home team were the attacking force now and the changes had transformed the game.
Moments later on 66 and the U’s were level, livewire Kymani-Gordon twisting his full back left then right then swung over a cross, met at the far post by Okenabirhie who headed home from 6 yards for 1-1. Kymanu-Gordon then fired in another effort which was blocked, the home side in charge now. On a rare break Massey had an effort which Mannion saved with his legs. Vale then replaced Chislett with Devine. George Thomas spun round with an effort but Ripley saved low down. Vale then replaced Plant with Grant. There was also a massive cheer to greet Adam May who replaced the groggy Thomas. Adam returning to the football league after a 12 month injury. United then had a golden chance to win when Lankaster was fouled by Smith with referee Pollard awarding a penalty on 90 minutes. Lacovitti of Vale was yellow carded for delaying the penalty. Unfortuently Okenabirhie fired down the midfield only for the impressive Riply to save at the second attempt.
8 minutes of stoppage time were shown with Garrity fouling Brophy to earn his sides 4th yellow card. Jack Lankaster had an effort blocked but as stoppage time ticked over Vale went on the attack and forced a number of corners. Arblaster firing in an effort which was blocked for another corner. Devine then fired in an effort which was cleared. The referee blew for full time at 1-1 and despite the late penalty miss a draw was probably fair. Vale had the first half, but we had chances. We had the second with Vale also having chances. Not a bad effort really against a side in decent form. A trip to Derby next week before a home match v Barnsley a week Tuesday night.