THE GAME
Rovers exited this season’s FA Cup competition at the Second Round stage, beaten by Ben Waine’s solitary strike for Port Vale early in the second half.
Both sides had won their Vertu Trophy games in midweek and were looking to progress again in the cup competition that really matters.
Waine had the ball in Rovers’ net early on but his headed effort was ruled out as he had been in an offside position when the ball reached him. The home side then created two further chances as Ruari Paton saw his close range shot blocked while Jaheim Headley fired a shot over the bar.
Rovers best chance of the half came from Ellis Harrison. Played in by Bryant Bilongo, the Rovers striker saw his effort kept out by goalkeeper Ben Amos. Shortly afterwards Fabrizio Cavegn hit a shot over the bar.
Cavegn then saw another effort blocked by defender Ben Heneghan, while Vale had another opportunity to open the scoring as the half drew to a close. Waine found himself free in the Rovers penalty area, following a cross from George Hall, but Southwood advanced off his line in an attempt to thwart him and the striker fired over the bar.
Waine wasn’t to be denied, though, and gave his side the lead two minutes into the second half. Connor Hall’s clearing header out of defence went straight through to Waine, who finished clinically beyond Southwood.
Ruari Paton might have added a second goal for his side, but his shot, after being played in by Devenate Cole, hit the side netting. Southwood then made a superb save to deny Vale a second goal, when he
pushed away Mo Faal’s close range header.
Rovers briefly threatened in the closing stages as Callum Morton saw a shot blocked, and Kamil Conteh hitting two shots over the bar in quick succession, but they simply couldn’t conjure up an equaliser
WHAT WAS SAID
‘We huffed and puffed and blew nothing down. I thought it was a very lacklustre game, to be honest with you, with not a lot of quality in it at times. We had a great chance in the first half with Ellis Harrison, and the goalkeeper pulled off a great save. Scoring the first goal was key today, and we gave a Sunday League goal away. I’m absolutely raging about the goal because that is a pathetic goal to give away; it’s not acceptable.
‘No, I don’t think we switched off, I know we did. It’s a Sunday league goal. That’s why he came off the pitch. Players don’t mean to make mistakes but have a focus and an understanding that we’re at a level now that we can’t be giving goals away like that, in my opinion, and then we’re chasing the game. It’s a sticky pitch, the ball didn’t really move that quickly on it, we got ourselves in positions to go and hurt their backline on numerous occasions, and yet again we didn’t produce. Anywhere near enough.
‘When we do get that chance, we don’t take it. I don’t think we deserved anything out of the game if I’m honest with you. They’ve had a few chances. The goalkeeper had a good game again. I can go in there, keep stripping them down. I can keep killing their confidence, but sometimes it’s better to just keep your mouth shut, or I’ll end up ruining careers if I’m honest with you. I think some of them think they’re better than what they are at times, and they’re not producing it.’ Rovers Head Coach Darrell Clarke
‘I think we started the game, and it was a pretty even game. They had chances, and we created a bit. We did defend well up until the end of the first half, and to concede that goal in two minutes in the second half is not good enough. I think my shot on the edge, I probably could have done better. Fabrizio Cavegn had a few shots as well. I just think when we are in front of goal, we just need to be a bit more ruthless than we’ve shown.’
I think you have to create your own luck. The goal they scored, even though it’s not good defending on our part, the fact that they’re getting into our box, it opens chances to happen like that. So, I think we just have to keep getting in those areas, get used to it, and when we are there, have no hesitation and just take it. It’s frustrating, it’s annoying. The fact that in the week we do all the preparation, training is to prepare for the game, so if we’re doing all the training and it comes to the game and you concede like that, it’s annoying.
‘I don’t think anyone is divided. I think what we just need to do is look to the next game. As I said, in the first half, we got chances; we need to be ruthless. I think when we do get that mindset, things will change. I know that confidence is low, but I think we need to be playing with an arrogance on the pitch, which is what I try to do anyway, but yeah, I think it will turn.’ Rovers midfielder Kamil Conteh
‘We knew it was never going to be easy with Bristol Rovers and Darrell coming back and setting up his team. We had moments in the game again where we probably could have gone more than a goal to the good. But listen, the way the boys focused and concentrated that we kept Bristol Rovers – any shots on target at our goal – they were from long distances and taken under pressure with a Vale shirt in front of them. So, all around a good performance, really pleased for the players.
‘As Ben Waine’s ran through, he’s steadied himself, composed himself and great to see him score, and great to see him get ready for the next chance, because you know glorious chance in the first-half, that he didn’t probably capitalise him, but he certainly took that chance really well.
‘It just settled us down again. And I was really fancying us to get the second goal, because obviously Bristol Rovers changed shape and left more gaps and space at the back, so I threw on Mo Faal and Daj Brown, to keep us on the front foot, but it never did come, but the most important thing as well was keeping the clean sheet.’ Port Vale Manager Darren Moore
