Vale came to Moss Rose on the back of the two all draw at home to Mansfield Town. Macclesfield on the other hand came into this game after a 1-0 loss to Grimsby. The table within the Leasing.com cup is level at the top with Vale and Macclesfield both winning their first games by the same margin of 2-1, so Macclesfield are top by name only at the start of the match.
There is a number of changes from Saturday, Legge being left out of the team completely, goal scorer Nathan Smith is named, but only on the bench. However fan favourite Manny Oyeleke makes a welcome return, even if it is only on the bench .
With all the talk of referees over the weekend, the media team was joined by ex premiership referee Phil Dowd, who was assessing the on pitch referee C Boyeson
Within the first few minutes a tackle comes in that looked very robust and vale get a free kick on the half way line. Its nicely played down the left wing by Scott Burgess who tried to get it across the box, but its blocked for a Port Vale corner.
5 Adam Crookes with some good ball control, and passes forward but the communication between him and Cullen isn’t the best and Cullen goes left as the ball is passed right. Vale certainly having more of the play in the first five minutes.
long ball into the box for Macclesfield to Joe Ironside, who’s pace catches the back line out and he gets a foot to it, Brown out fast and stops the shot, but he fumbles it and Vale get lucky as there is no Macclesfield player to capitalise on the mistake.
In the tenth minute Jacob Blyth with athundering shot to the centre of the goal and a fantastic save puts it out for a corner. The corner is drifted in and the keeper comes for it but does not get it and the header goes over the bar. As the players run out Shaun Brisley is left flat out on the floor. The game is held up while he receives treatment. It didn’t seem to serious as he comes back on the pitch.
Luke Joyce came through the back of a Macclesfield player to give them a free kick in the middle of the Vale half. The ball is driven into the box, but the assistants flag is raised for offside.
Long ball over the top of the Vale defence and Kennedy is not fast enough for the second time and Joe Ironside gets in front of him to slot it home to the keepers left. Kennedy really should have been faster there. Macclesfield 1 Port Vale 0
Cullen beats the offside trap down the right hand side and attempts a cross that cleared for a corner. Corner drifted in, the keeper rushes out to punch it, although he makes a connection it only goes as far as the edge of the box.
Jake Taylor with a blistering run forward in the centre of the pitch, but his pass lets him down as he gives the ball away.
50/50 tackle involving Crookes, but Crookes comes out of it worst as he appears to be complaining of a injury to his left knee. Is able to return to the pitch though as soon as the ball comes back into play.
Vale deliver a long ball to Cullen, but the defender has his hands all over him, meaning Cullen loses the ball. The referee says that he got the ball, Cullen can be heard, disputing this with a number of choice words. In a game that is supposed to respect the referee Cullen is allowed to get away with it.
Vale best chance of the half as Bennett plays the ball across the 6 yard box, but Cullens legs simply are not long enough and it goes to the far side. Great opportunity.
In the 33rd minute Scott Burgess with a powerful left footed shot from outside the box, beats the keeper. Its Vale 1 Macclesfield 1
Vale again coming unstuck with the long ball, Vale very lucky not to behind. Brown rushes out to do just enough to put the striker off and the defence clear it.
Throw in on the left hand right hand side for Macclesfield, but vale muscle their way onto the ball and clear it.
Very even half with both teams having a number of chances, the biggest danger throughout that half has been the Macclesfield long ball.
Half time sub for Vale Mark Cullen taken off for Jordan Archer.
On the 47th minute Lloyd sprinting forward but loses the ball and then runs into a player. Lloyd goes down, but to be fair to him he gets straight back up and does not appeal.
Richie Bennett with a screamer from half way in the Macclesfield half. Hit with power from his left foot, took a deflection from the centre back to push it just around the keeper. Could be contender for goal of the seasons.
With 59 minutes gone, Macclesfield with a great move forward, but put far to much lift into the shot. Really should have tested Brown there.
Corner for Vale doesn’t get past the first man, Vale need to do better with dead ball situations. John Askey has said that they have been working on them in training, so may see improvement as the season goes on.
On the 64th Minute Llyod with a lot of space on the right hand side of the box. Picks his spot and hits it with power, however the Silkmens keeper Reice Charles-Cook gets two strong hands behind it and its pushed out for a corner.
Richie Bennett with great individual skill, but as he flicks It up it hits his hand and under the new rules it’s a hand ball, intentional or not.
Luke Joyce off and on comes Manny Oyeleke.
Push on Bennett, easy decision for the referee as the centre back had two hands on Bennett.
Free kick is laid off by Manny to Bennett, hits another screaming shot towards the right hand side of the goal, but the keeper is able to get two hands to it to keep it out. A shot that deserved a goal, but
Jordan Archer played a lovely ball into the box, he runs at the keeper and with a right footed shot to the far post, that bounces off it and in. Vale 3 Macclesfield 1.
Corner drifted in, Jordan Archer doing enough to hassle the keeper and gets a head to it, but it ricochets off the post and out. Desperately unlucky for him not to have scored.
Ball played into the Vale box and ball lands with Theo Archibald who is only six yards out. He tries to change the foot it was on giving the Vale defence time to catch him. They and the keeper collects, The silkmen should have got a goal back then, but it seems that Archibald was not willing to take the shot with his weaker foot.
Vale substitution Alex Hurst for Scott Burgess, has to be to add fresh legs as Scott has not done anything wrong.
With 92 minutes gone, Theo Archibald showing that he can score from distance with a left footed strike from the centre of the pitch just outside the box.
Macclesfield feel that they can get back into this now as they have sent all the players bar one up. Vale on the other hand want to slow this game down or as often referred to park the bus.
Richie Bennet with a knock, he stays on but does not look comfortable at all, lets hope this is not another injury for the Vale.
First half was a mixed half with both sides having a number of chances, but the second was all Vale. The team talk at half time must have had a massive effect as the team that came out in the second half was a lot more determined with and without the ball.
Attendance 757 with 283 Vale supporters.
John Askeys thoughts after the game.
Scott Burgess talking to Moorlands radio after his first start for Vale
