Two points dropped? One point gained? I guess we’ll never know, but what was for sure was the high entertainment level that both sets of supporters received in the Vale’s final game before Christmas. Despite Cheltenham’s lofty position of third in the league, both sides went into the game with scratchy form and this set the game up perfectly with Vale looking for their first League win since Mid-November.
Indeed, it was Vale that started the game on the front foot, Pope having a half chance after only two minutes and Smith could have done better on eleven after a subtle lob from Joyce beat the offside trap and left the centre back with only Flinders in the Robins’ goal to beat. But it was Cheltenham that took the lead on twenty-four minutes. Good work from Doyle-Hayes, sent striker Addai free in the Vale midfield, running at the heart of the Vale defence unchallenged, before firing low into the bottom left hand corner and giving Keeper Brown no chance.
Addai really should have doubled his tally on thirty-five minutes after a defensive error from Gibbons, Sheaf freeing the diminutive striker in the box, but Brown was alive to the situation saving well with his right boot and keeping Vale in the game. Adda’s wastefulness was punished just four minutes later as Vale equalised and set up a second half onslaught.
Taylor, looking more and more settled in the heart of the Vale line-up, robbed the ball in the midfield freeing Amoo down the right flank before driving into the area and firing across goal. With Keeper Flinders completely taken out by the speed of the cross, and Worrall closing in at the back post, Tozer was faced with trying to deflect the ball wide but could only power the ball into his own net and Vale were level.
Vale started the second half where they left off the first, taking the game to the Robins through a series of attacks, none more significant than the opportunity that fell to Pope on sixty-five. Gibbons looked under pressure in his own half, before a smart turn allowed him to free Amoo down the right wing. The Winger, that had terrorised the Town back four all afternoon, again found his way to the by‑line, crossing to the waiting Pope who seemed to have done everything right sliding in on goal, but Pope’s connection wasn’t true and Keeper Flinders managed to fall on the ball and deny the Vale striker the Post War scoring record for another match.
Even the introduction of Cullen with fifteen minutes remaining couldn’t prise open, and it was Cullen who had the final opportunity, but somehow managed to send his header wide with the goal at his mercy.
A draw at home to a promotion chasing outfit should be cause for celebration, but it’s testament to Manager Askey’s exploits this season that many home fans would return home to wrapping presents with sense of frustration and what could have been.
Reporter Rich Scott managed to catch up with John Askey after the game.
