Vale Park, home of Port Vale based in Burslem, Staffordshire. One of three teams in the Football League not to be named afta geographical place. 9th March 2019 and Mansfield are away to Vale. Mansfield dreaming of automatic promotion whereas Port Vale were looking to steer clear of any relegation fears.
Train to Derby and then Longport for £30… Wish I had a Railcard! Quick pit stop for food in Burslem town centre and then off to the ground. The waiting game for my mate the Super Stag who’s enjoying a few drinks in Uttoxeter before heading to the ground on the fans bus. 15 minutes to go and he’s here and the whole bus is making big noise! £20 to watch this game! Marvellous! In the break out area and a moment I will always cherish! A yellow mist is sweeping in the air, No Pyro! No Party and all. Mansfield fans going crazy with the songs. “We’re on our waaaaaayyyyy! We’re on our way! To the League 1, we’re on our way!” and “David Flitcroft’s barmy army, WE ARE GOING UP!” Great time to be a Mansfield fan!
Kick Off! One chant I had in mind was: “They’re here! They’re there! They’re every f***ing where! Empty seats! Empty seats!” Where are you Vale fans? A poor game for the first 15 minutes with little to shout about. Former Mansfield loanee Ricky Miller starts up front for Vale with divided opinions of him in the Mansfield end. 18 minutes gone and CJ Hamilton charged into the Port Vale penalty area, brought down… PENALTY TO MANSFIELD!!! Nicky Ajose steps up…… SAVED!! An easy save for the Port Vale in the end. That was the only real chance during a poor half of football. Stalemate at half time.
Second half, Mal Benning found himself with the ball and was dispossessed and the ball was played to Ricky Miller who had beaten the offsie trap and was through, round the goalkeeper and scores! 1-0 just like that after 5 minutes of the restart. “GLAD ALL OVER!” were the Vale fans but me and the rest of the Mansfield fans certainly weren’t. Vale had another chance 2 minutes later, Krystian Pearce sliced a clearance and parried away by Mansfield keeper Jordan Smith but the ball wasn’t cleared yet, the ball played back in and Ben Turner hits it away straight against Krystian Pearce it’s fallen to Miller again… HE SCORES AGAIN!! 2-0 now! 2 goals against his old team.
Mansfield had to come out fighting if they wanted a result. 1 hour played and Mansfield had the ball in Vale’s box with Otis Khan who made space to cross for Nicky Ajose……… 2-1!! Game on!! 68 minutes and Will Atkinson had the ball in his own half but a poor pass has given Ricky Miller a through run at goal… Save by Jordan Smith and again from the rebound! Tom Conlon raced on to the loose ball and shot… OFF THE LINE!! Krystian Pearce to the rescue! Mansfield began to probe but Vale defended well and codemned Mansfield to defeat. If only Nicky Ajose had scored that Penalty…
FT: Port Vale 2-1 Mansfield Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 6/10 – Mansfield fans were by the far the better at atmosphere, not much from the home fans unfortunately.
- The Ground: 7/10 – It’s a nice ground and would be a good fit for the Championship should they ever get there.
- Expense: 5/10 – £20 is a good price, but ultimately to watch a poor Mansfield performance and a dire first half of football.
- Overall Experience: 6/10 – I enjoyed the atmosphere before the game an awful lot but the game I didn’t sadly.
24/40