Port Vale 1-1 Crewe Alex 24/25 Review - Perseverance

Well, we got there in the end. After 91 of some of the most frustrating minutes I've ever witnessed, the Alex grabbed an equaliser and took a point out of Vale Park, a point we'd have all taken at both 8pm and 9pm if we're being honest. Yet, this is a point once again tinged with a touch of disappointment. Let's go into the game:

Wonder Goal

The Alex's game plan was likely the same as the one they took into Doncaster and Walsall. Stay tight, don't give away any cheap goals, keep it 0-0 and then build into the game. Well, that went out the window with Jack Shorrock's cracking opener 3 minutes in.

He's no doubt a talented kid at just 17 years old, but he could hit that 50 times and not stick it in the top corner the way he did. It took a nick off Holicek I'm led to believe, so it really was a case of "what can you do"? It threw the Alex's game plan out of the window and gave the Vale something to hold on to. In a game of "if only's", had that flown over the bar, how different a game would it have been?

Even Game

It's easy to break the game down into chunks. I thought right up until Harper's red card, it was an even game. The Alex shaded possession and territory, but the Vale probably edged the chances. Yes, the red changed the whole complexion of the game and there is a question to be asked over whether the Alex would have gotten back into it had the Vale not gone down to 10. But it was well balanced and competitive, which was good to see.

Thanks Rekeem

Rekeem Harper was useless in his loan spell with the Alex. Ok, he was in a historically bad team, but he contributed to that with some lazy, half arsed displays. Somehow he's managed to find other suckers over the last few seasons and now he's rocked up at the Vale. Well, he was the most influential player on the pitch today and not in a good way for the Vale.

Ok, his first yellow was a touch soft, but his 2nd was utterly brainless given he was walking a tightrope. He completely cost his team and in his debut no less. I wonder if Darren Moore is regretting signing him already? Not the best way to endear yourself to your team mates or fans is it? I'll gladly thank him though.

Frustrating

To be playing against 10 men for an entire half and struggle to break them down, regardless of their league position, is frustrating. Yes, it's not easy as the Vale are a good defensive unit and know how to grind out a 1-0 just as well as the Alex do. But the Alex struggled to get good chances in on Ripley, generating just 0.94 xG in that time.

Whilst I'm pleased they got the goal, had they got it just 5-10 minutes earlier, you really think they'd have gone on to win it. This was against a depleted Vale side as well missing Debrah, Smith, Byers, Garrity and a few others. Don't get me wrong, a point at Vale Park is valuable, but the Alex might not get a better chance to win there, so this does feel like something of a missed opportunity.

Perseverance

That being said, fair play to them for not giving up. The Vale defended brilliantly and were minutes away from snatching the win. But the Alex found that moment of quality as Conway got to the byline, got his cut back just right and found a wide open Jack Lankester to slam home, setting off wild scenes in the away end. It was no more than the Alex deserved for their 2nd half dominance and it ends their goal and result drought against the Vale, which I'm sure we're all delighted about.

At a cost

There was a cost to tonight's result. Omar Bogle picked up a knock early in the 2nd half and had to come off, which is a concern. Also a concern is the fact that Ryan Cooney picked up his 5th booking of the season and now misses the Carlisle game, which isn't ideal given his likely replacement, Lewis Billington, struggled against Dag & Red and has been out in the cold since. Thankfully they did get Jack Powell back on the pitch, but they could be a couple of bodies short heading up to Cumbria on Saturday.

5 points

Heading into these last 3 games against the sides ranked 2nd, 3rd and 1st at the time, we'd have all taken 5 points and unbeaten trio. The Alex have navigated one of their toughest stretches and not lost, which is an excellent achievement. If they can finish off the month with 3 points at Brunton Park, it will cap off an excellent month in the league.

Fans

I don't normally do this, but I can't not praise the Alex fans who went tonight. 2,158 made all the noise inside the stadium, despite the fact the team trailed for most of the game. I didn't see any silly behaviour, a couple of flares aside and I don't think there was any trouble before, during or after the match. The fans were superb, fair play to all of them.

Referee Assessment

Vale fans will be furious at him, but I thought a couple of soft decisions aside, he actually did ok and handled the game well. He could have bottled Harper's 2nd yellow, but didn't. A better outing for him after his shambles last season at Salford.

Management Assessment

Had the team not equalised, I think there would have been questions about why they kept 3 CBs on the pitch until the 82nd minute. I can't help but feel they missed the opportunity to go bolder with the subs earlier in the game. But it didn't matter in the end.

Player Assessments

Filip Marschall

Could do nothing about the goal and had little to do in the 94 minutes after that. My only issue was his kicking went too far away from Bogle on a few occasions.

James Connolly

I don't want to dig him out, but he struggled and just looks so uncomfortable on the ball. Knight-Lebel comes in on Saturday for me.

Mickey Demetriou

Solid and dealt with Stockley pretty well. Was involved in plenty of attacks and was unlucky not to do better with a couple of headers.

Zac Williams

Lively and had a lot of joy down the left once the Vale went down to 10. I'm not sure why he went off and Connolly stayed on though.

Ryan Cooney

Got forward well and was involved in a lot of the Alex's best work. The only downside was his 5th yellow card, which puts him out of the Carlisle game.

Matus Holicek

The game passed him by unfortunately. He wasn't totally lost, but he struggled to be much of a factor and that elusive consistency continues to elude him. Is Powell coming for his starting spot?

Max Sanders

A good game, even if his set pieces remain frustrating. An 86% passing success rate and 0.36 xG + xA were the highlights of one of his brighter performances.

Joel Tabiner

He too got into a lot of promising positions and probably deserved more for his efforts, with him managing a o.33 xG + xA tally.

Max Conway MOTM

I continue to be incredibly frustrated by him, but he delivered when it was needed with a fantastic cross to Lankester for the equaliser. More of the same please Max!

Omar Bogle

Not involved enough. A lot of the play seemed to go around him, which is a shame. His knock is a worry.

Shilow Tracey

Some bright moments, but he was well marshalled by the Vale back line, who didn't give him any time or space.

Subs:

Jack Lankester

Looked fit and sharp when he came on, linking play, creating chances and scoring the vital equaliser. He's definitely pushing for a start on Saturday.

Adrien Thibaut

Really lively when he came on, putting himself about and being a nuisance in the box. A welcome return to the squad.

Jack Powell

Delighted to see him back on the pitch for the first team. His return could be very timely and hopefully he's pushing for more game time going forward.

Overall Verdict

I'll take a point at Vale Park and against the leaders all day, even if it feels a bit like the opportunity for 3 slipped through their fingers somewhat. If they can go to Brunton Park and grab a win, it'll set them up beautifully for the festive run in December.