Tom Pope nets two more as Port Vale thrash Plymouth
Port Vale 4, Plymouth Argyle 0
A JENNISON Myrie-Williams long-ranger, a goal from Ben Williamson and two from Tom Pope gave Port Vale a comfortable win over 10-man Plymouth to stay two points off the top in League Two.
Myrie-Williams had been the most threatening player on the pitch before he gave Vale the lead in the 32nd minute with a low shot from just outside the area.
Vale's cause was helped almost immediately when the red mist descended on Plymouth striker Nick Chadwick and he was dismissed for flooring Ashley Vincent.
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Pope allowed the home fans to sit more comfortably when he headed home from close range in the 55th minute.
Williamson added another with 15 minutes to go when he kept his cool in the box after fine work from Myrie-Williams and then Pope combined with Ben Williamson to complete yet number 25 of his magical season.
Vale boss Micky Adams made six changes to the team which lost against Fleetwood on New Year's Day, bringing in Rob Taylor, Joe Davis, Doug Loft, Chris Shuker, Vincent and Ben Williamson. Captain Loft took his place back in the middle of midfield.
Rich Duffy, Ryan Burge, Calvin Andrew and Louis Dodds were relegated to the bench while John McCombe (knee) and Sam Morsy (leg) were stuck in the treatment room. Chris Birchall, who return to the Vale in mid-week, was also named among the substitutes.
Myrie-Williams looked to grab the impetus in a scrappy game with some direct running and had the better of Argyle left-back Robbie Williams on a couple of occasions before setting off on a mazy dribble which took him into the area in the 22nd minute.
The winger beat a couple of challegnes as he cut in from the right but his driven shot went just the wrong side of the far post.
Vale who should have taken the lead in the 28th minute when Myrie-Williams created space for himself to exploit, then drew the defenders before slipping the ball to Pope 10 yards out in the centre of the box. The ball might not have fallen perfectly but Pope looked odds on to find the net as he swivelled, only to send his shot narrowly wide as he slipped.
A goal looked almost inevitable and it came from the game's outstanding player, Myrie-Williams, who collected a loose ball on the edge of the area, took a couple of paces and drove it low past Gilmartin.
It got worse for Plymouth from the kick-off when Chadwick elbowed Ashley Vincent. Vincent had hit the deck in similar fashion when the game started but no official had seen what had gone on.
But it did not take much guess work when it happened again second time around and referee Scott Mathieson pulled out his red card after a short discussion with fourth official Matthew Bristow.
It was a moment of madness from former Madeley High student Chadwick and left his team, who had been well in the contest, with a mountain to climb.
Vale seemed to make the points secure when Pope rose highest to head home Taylor's fine cross from the left with 35 minutes to play.
Then great work from Myrie-Williams bringing the ball forward from a disputed Plymouth corner created a half-chance for Williamson, who twisted and turned before slotting home.
Pope showed his confidence was sky high not too long after when he collected the ball from 12 yards after playing a one-two with Williamson and rammed home to complete a heavy win.
Comments
by Davejjohnson
Monday, January 07 2013, 9:59PM
“Paul Wildes has just purchased Port Vale for a few hundred grand. If Stoke really wanted Tom Pope do you really think there is any way they won't get him. Stoke could sell a reserve team player and use the money to buy Port Vale FC and still have change. I really hope that Vale get promoted and I think it's great that their real die hard fans have stuck with them and they above any others deserve their moments of glory. This does not mean that it's OK to totally lose touch with the real world.”
by Martin_Tidesw
Monday, January 07 2013, 7:16PM
“Ah, laythevale: Apologist for the old board who never once thanked the Supporters' Club for exposing the previous regime or even for getting the Sproson Statue up. Your ignorance is truly mind-boggling”
by laythevale
Monday, January 07 2013, 4:26PM
“by Martin_Tidesw
."What a difference six months makes. From the brink of oblivion to debt & muppet-free with a genuine shot at promotion."
And all courtesy of the local rate-payers and those others who have had £millions written off that was owed to them. A little more humility Martin, rather than drooling at the prospect of benefiting from a spending spree with other people's money.
Only one more league place to go and we'll match where we were under the Bratt regime after winning 5-0 at Stockport 2 years ago, with the bookies having us evens for promotion. What a difference 2 years makes ..... or not as the case may be.
Crowds are no more now than then, the only difference I see is in how much it costs me to get in. Not that I'm complaining. You get what you pay for.
Sweat those assets, Papa Smurf! Talking of which, when do ST's for next season go on sale? I've always been a cheap skate early birder myself.”
by Robnoxious
Monday, January 07 2013, 2:56PM
“The truth of the matter is some stoke fans have their heads in the sand. What they should be asking themselves is, Why would any good goal scorer want to go there? If they bring someone in,surely it has to be on the basis of better than they have got. Nobody in their right mind would go there,the goals would dry up, After stoke the only way is down. Who was the last stoke striker who went on to better things? That says it all. It has always been the defensive players. I bet Crouche is having second thoughts, scored goals everywhere he has been, EXCEPT STOKE.”
by P_Swan
Monday, January 07 2013, 1:24PM
“Hey hey hey!!! don't get drawn in by bitter Stoke fans, what is this ****!!!!!.
JR will be back on the radar from the summer as they seem to be too good for him now??, mistake number 1 and he still has a hunger for football (god bless) and prey he comes back.
Him (Mr mild + MA) would be electric.
They are still bitter and twisted about the last few times we diccked them so don't get drawn in, the original post was in the 'oatcake' about them buying Popey!! so let them orc over it.”
by Steeplejack3
Monday, January 07 2013, 12:47PM
“I think you will find Mr Johnson that it was a Stoke supporter who has lost faith with Stoke and has joined our side that made the comments about Tom going to Stoke.”
by MyVince
Monday, January 07 2013, 12:19PM
“None of Stoke's front men could manage a goal between them
against the lower level league of Championship at Palace - in
fact scoring goals against any team for Stoke is a rarity.
Tom has scored more goals on his own than the whole of Stoke's side all Season.”
by Davejjohnson
Monday, January 07 2013, 8:20AM
“Pope for Stoke, what a laugh. I wish Vale well but get real. Any of Stoke's front men would score an absolute bucket full of goals in that low level of football.”
by Robnoxious
Sunday, January 06 2013, 4:17PM
“To play like Stoke do is one thing, but for the fans to believe in it, hmmm. Players in any division will only score if they are given the right service. Sometimes you are only as good as the people around you. The reason why Tom Pope is doing well at the moment. He will not be living this dream again in his lifetime, any offers that come in he should not let his head be turned, enjoy the rest of the season. Should he go then to further his career, i'm sure he will go with all our blessings,regardless of this seasons outcome. The worst scenario being they will have money to spend. But the last word for any Vale fan is, WE STAND TOGETHER WHEN IT MATTERS MOST. Which in it's self is an achievement that nobody can take away from you. Let all the efforts PREVALE.”
by Steeplejack3
Sunday, January 06 2013, 2:48PM
“Make your mind up hasod, one minute he's worth a try and next Tom would not make Stoke's reserve team. Not trying to bait us Happy Boy's and Girls at the stadium of Thrills are you?. Poor effort really with no real cutting in your comments. Anyway Tony has devised a way to make your lot look like they are attacking all the time, from the next match all players are to wear their shirts back to front!! Come and join the revolution in football at Vale Park, It will be like nothing you've seen before”