22.04.23 Vale v Rovers Match Report

Ellis Harrison grabbed a goal and had a hand in another against his former employers to hand Rovers a 2-0 defeat at managerless Port Vale.

Jed Ward was named in goal for the Gas, with Sinclair, Finley and Gibbons also in the starting line-up, in place of Belshaw, Quansah, Hoole and Loft.

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With the four changes, Rovers struggled to get going and, after a couple of early warnings, fell behind in the 22nd minute. 

A corner from the left wasn't cleared and former Rovers player Ellis Harrison acrobatically volleyed in from close range, giving Ward no chance.

Harrison turned provider minutes later as the home side doubled their lead, laying it on a plate for Pett to fire home from close range.

Grant Ward was booked in the 34th minute for a foul on Wilson.

Harrison left the pitch after 41 minutes after picking up an injury from a Vale corner.

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Rovers won their first corner of the game as the half drew to a close, but Vale cleared with ease.

Somewhat surprisingly, Rovers made no changes at the interval, and Coburn almost raced through on goal with the first move of the half, but Stone came out to clear.

Soon after, Ward was replaced by Evans, whose first touch was to curl a free-kick narrowly wide.

In the 56th minute, Rovers made four changes, with Connolly, Gibbons, Sinclair and Gordon making way for Marquis, Hoole, Quansah and Anderson.

Bogarde did well under pressure after 71 minutes to keep possession and Rovers built well, before Collins fired over the bar from distance. 

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Collins was doing his best to drag the Gas into the game, but nothing was coming off for the talisman.

Butterworth hammered a shot from distance after 78 minutes, but Ward could watch it fly high and wide.

Rovers huffed and puffed but couldn't find a way back.

The Gas are back in action on Tuesday night at Plymouth Argyle for a Sky Bet League One fixture (kick-off 7.45pm).

 

ROVERS: J.Ward, Connolly (Quansah 56), Gordon (Marquis 56), Finley (c), Sinclair (Anderson 56), Ward (Evans 50), Collins, Gibson, Bogarde, Gibbons, Coburn (Hoole 56).

Subs: Belshaw, Evans, Anderson, Marquis, McCormick, Hoole, Quansah.

 

PORT VALE: Stone, Donnelly, Smith, Worrall, Wilson, Benning, Ojo, Forrester, Massey, Harrison, Pett.

Subs: Stevens, Conlon, Proctor, Taylor, Butterworth, Robinson, Plant.

 

Referee: S.Gill.

Attendance: 7,699 (700 away).

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