Vale 1 Swans 0

5 more games in this division, 1 more point for Wycombe and the maths are certain. Whatever the weather why is it always cold at Vale Park. Considering that Poer Vale play in the LDV final next week it was a very poor turn out boosted by about 130 visiting fans.

Any way lets get to the nitty gritty. The team again seemed to pick itself in JH’s eyes, Rog with Price Bound Todd & Howard at the back, midfield of Jenkins Romo, Fabiano & Phillips with Boyd & Savarese up front.

Port Vale started the brighter with Naylor and Brooker linking well and causing as some problems with no real threat on goal, but after approx. 10 mins they scored the only goal of the game a cross from their right got the slightest glance from Bound to beat an incoming forward but the ball carried on across goal past the far post only to be blasted back across goal into the far corner.

The rest of the half saw the Swans giving as good as they got with one sharp turn by Savarese needing a good save from their keeper. Boyd had one good chance but took the option to shoot when going away from goal and off balance. With a bit of luck we could have been equal at half time. All players had played their part especially Phillips in midfield who covered a large amount of ground to close players down and Price who continually being played out of position put in many crucial tackle and clearances.

The restart saw Savarese & Fabiano being replaces by Roberts & Appleby which saw an increase in tempo with the Swans dominating for long periods without getting that vital breakthrough.

At time we played some neat football with both Roberts & Appleby causing problems to the Vale defence. The results of our attacks in truth were only half chances where a bobble or bounce in our favour would surely have resulted in a goal. We were awarded a free kick outside their area which was moved forward 10 yards to the 18 yd line, causing panic in the wall.

This actually worked against us as the ball cannoned away to safety from the packed six yard box. We never really looked troubled but Rog was called on to save on 2 occasions when 1 on 1.

With 10 minutes to go Mumford came on to replace Price to play up front and showed enough promise that with the expected departures at the end of the season his chance for a regular spot could come. A few comments away from the pitch. Good support given in the first 15 mins, but then instead of support for the team it changed to anti Cardiff songs, where the usual ‘stand up if you hate Cardiff’ was mostly ignored by the majority.

This then changed to about 10 mins of anti Robin Williams songs. Some may call this banter, but I just wish all the efforts were to encourage the team. OK maybe I am just getting old. At least the humour came back towards the end where when JH was being spoken to by the referee, the chant of ‘ send him off’ was voiced by many.

The last 5mins was played out to our chants of going down with the Oxford, Rochdale here we come and a good rendition of Carlisle on a Monday night Darlo on a Tuesday night Hartlepool on a Wed night Rushden on a Thurs night Leyton O on Boxing day. Not so good in print maybe you had to be there. One more surprise was in store. As we left the ground into the main car park we were met be a reception committee of about 75-100 Vale fans (well morons really).

No police insight and only a line of about ten stewards keeping them away. We left to one side as the stand off continued, with no threat or confrontation as most of the group was centered near the two coaches.

As we drove away from Burslem police cars were dashing to the scene. In this day and age surely a token presence is required at the ground at full time. Pathetic organization, prevention is better than cure. Hope all returned safely, as there had not really been any threat inside the ground. We were again(Walsall away) accompanied by a female Spurs fan who couldn’t believe the organization after the game.

Premiership and second, maybe our safety counts for less. To finish lets get back to the football the players gave their all today on a pitch that cut up badly especially in midfield. One more into the diary of ‘if only’. We have had many this season and if the right decisions had been taken months ago we would be looking forward to another season in the second and not the third. A mid table position was easily obtainable as apart from a handful of teams there have not been many others to worry about.

Lets hope the takeover happens sooner than later so that we can start the next season with our eyes open on a second championship year.