He Who Would Valiant Be

By: Andrew Doherty
Date: 21/04/2025

FRIDAY'S home defeat to Swindon was as disappointing as it gets, and if you're of a commercial disposition you'd be wondering how many of the 7000 plus Town supporters would want to go back after a morale-sapping performance like that. Now we're up against a promotion rival in table-topping Port Vale.

One thing for sure we can't go on is Vale's performance at Blundell Park in December. All teams have off days, and at the risk of being accused of unconscious bias, it's normal for teams to bounce back after a shocker and take revenge. Ultimately it's about character. Performance and stats are arguably of less importance. Unfortunately character and performance were both absent on Friday. At the same time the Valiants were losing to bottom club Carlisle, fighting back to lose by a single goal after being three goals down. So both sides had a point to prove today as we each clung on to our promotion aspirations.

This afternoon's line-up was: Eastwood - Rodgers, Tharme, Warren - Svanthorsson, McEachren, Green, Khouri, Hume - Vernam, Rose. It was an interesting line-up with Eastwood and Warren replacing the battle-weary Wright and McJannet, and Vernam starting instead of Barrington. It was hard to imagine Vernam lasting 90 minutes but Obikwu and Luker were on the bench for Town who wore their yellow and red kit today. An impressive crowd of 11,829 were here today.

Formalities over, including the bizarre rendition by Vale supporters of Elvis's Wonder of You, Town kicked off and won a free kick after 30 seconds after Svanthorsson was flattened. Vernam's attempt from distance curled over the bar. Vale had a chance on 5 minutes after a poor pass by Khouri but Stockley duffed his shot. Vale then moved up the field steadily and won a corner two minutes later, following it up with another. Smith's header was easily gathered by Eastwood. Nice work by Hume started a Town move with Vernam winning a corner but Hume's delivery was poor. The game was quiet so far but Green did have a speculative shot on 12 minutes which went just wide. Vale won a free kick on 14 minutes after Hume pulled back Debrah. Town dealt with the cross from Clark who then went on a run and won a corner, with Warren cutting out the threat. Vale had a spell of pressure. After a build-up Harper fired over from a deflected shot. On 19 minutes a Town attack led to a Vale breakout but Tharme was in charge. On 23 minutes with neither side threatening, Svanthorsson and Green did well to pin Vale back. After a poor pass, Hume took a quick throw to Vernam who advanced and shot. Vale keeper Amos parried and Rose nipped in to be there first and head home. Vale 0, Town 1. After a stoppage for an injury to Warren, Town went on the attack and forced a succession of corners. A low Hume cross was dangerous but there was no-one to press home the chance. On 30 minutes Tolaj went wide with a shot after being set up by Croasdale. Vale had a better chance two minutes later when Stockley couldn't get his head on Byers's cross. Town started to move the ball round nicely, culminating in Svanthorsson's winning a corner. Hume's cross evaded everyone. After a Town attack broke down with Rose slipping, Svanthorsson resorted to pulling back the advancing Clark and earned himself a yellow card. Town's defence struggled as Smith headed on to Stockley who turned but was only able to find the side netting. Vale won a corner on 42 minutes after Eastwood miscued a clearance. Vale pushed the ball around but as two minutes were added, Eastwood was given an easy bit of catching practice. Vernam did well, almost wriggling through before Svanthorsson's saw an opportunity, leaping in to win the ball but being unable to keep his spectacular shot down. The half ended with Town still one up. Town's play had been patient with Vernam up front looking sharp and Warren excelling in defence, and customary opportunism from Rose. An improved performance could be expected from Vale in the second half but so far Town had withstood any threat from the home side.

Vale attacked as the second half started. Town had to maintain concentration. A cross came in from the right. Hall's header was powerful and accurate but Eastwood was alert, spreading his arms to make a brilliant save. Tharme made a good headed clearance before the Valiants won a corner. Town recovered and worked the ball upfield. Vernam threaded the ball through to Khouri in the box. Byers challenged Khouri clumsily - penalty to Town! With 51 minutes gone Rose confidently sent Amos the wrong way, firing into the top right of the net. Vale 0, Town 2. We had to remember that Vale came back from a deficit on Friday but so far all was rosy. With an hour gone and after a trio of Vale substitutions, Town went on the attack. Tharme found himself on the left wing after a long throw, laying the ball of to Hume who cut inside and blasted a ferocious right-footed shot past the post. McEachren was booked for a foul in midfield, followed by Rodgers who fouled Hall as Vale looked to break out after a super bit of play by Vernam on the left. Eastwood did well to pounce as Headley made inroads on the left with Rodgers causing a distraction. This was good goalkeeping and defending from Town. On 67 minutes Obikwu came on for Vernam. Town attacked. Good work from McEachren and Green led to a throw. Svanthorsson's attempted shot was wild. Town weren't allowing Vale to dominate. Rose and then McEachren were fouled deep in Vale's half but Green made a near fatal error when losing possession from Hume's short free kick. Vale broke but again Eastwood was alert and decisively ran out and gathered, doing so again moments later as Vale launched another attack. 15 minutes remained. Vale won a corner after work by Headley and Hall. Rodgers headed out. The ball bounced around and after shots by Richards and Hall the ball fell to Tolaj who brought the ball down and struck home with his left foot. Vale 1, Town 2. As Vale had the momentum, it was all hands to the pump for Town. Eastwood made a good save from Headley at the near post before expertly pushing a shot wide from Richards. Both shots were going in. 81 minutes had gone. McJannet and Ainley replaced Svanthorsson and Green. On 83 minutes Vale came again after winning possession in midfield. Eastwood collected Curtis's curled cross. This was the stuff of bitten nails. Town were now struggling to keep possession. On 86 minutes Vale burst forward in numbers but Tolaj's cross was overhit. Barrington replaced McEachren who shortly before avoided getting a second yellow card as Vale chose to keep going forward. Town managed to find themselves in Vale's half. Hall mistimed his header which went backwards. Obikwu pounced but the angle was too narrow and Amos saved with his legs. Vale returned the ball down the field and Tharme misheaded the ball but with grit, determination and the awareness of Eastwood the threat was averted. 5 minutes were added. The pressure was relieved when thanks to good work by Ainley and Warren, Town won a corner. With the full time whistle looming, Vale won a corner. Town were unable to clear it. A cross came in from the right from Headley as Ainley fell over. The charging Stockley got a powerful header on it but Eastwood was in position and able to save it. But such was the power that the save fell into the path of Debrah who headed into the net. There was no time left. So the final score was: Port Vale 2, Grimsby Town 2.

"He who would valiant be, 'gainst all disaster" goes the hymn which they forced us to sing at school. Well it wasn't a disaster but it sure was disappointing. After looking tired out on Friday with no gas in the tank, Town put up a fight today. The substitutions were timed correctly, as Mr Artell brought on fresh legs. It was to be expected that Vale were going to apply pressure but in spite of defensive determination, Town were unable to keep the ball at the time when they needed to. The control we managed to exert in the first half disappeared as the game went on. By the end our players seemed to be struggling to stay on their feet. Town's performance was valiant for the most part but in the end was lacking in technical control and composure. The result wasn't what we were looking for and it's easy to think we should have secured a play-off spot but with Colchester losing it's all in our hands.

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