[themaclad]

First in a 4 week run of games Saturday/Tuesday which includes three midweek trips to Gillingham/Leyton Orient and Swindon. Therefore winning home games will be a must during this period. First up Port Vale not played them for all of 10 days. We'll have a stronger side out this time hopefully someone with the ability of stopping Tom Pope heading in goals from deep crosses.
Vale had a good 4-1 win last week and are starting to do the business for Robert Page. Apart from long term injuries should have a decent squad for this one.
Getting close to Fleetwood's cup final

[themaclad]

Well this was rollicking good fun, there wasn't much football played but after a slow start this was highly entertaining for all the wrong reasons. Vale making their third visit to Deepdale this calendar years, started the brighter in a very tactical first 30 minutes. Only talking point in that period was who felled Garner, neither referee, linesmen nor most of the crowd saw it. Zuber appeared to be culprit but no one saw it. As the game started opened up chances started to come, O'Connor with a free kick and a Marshall shot which brought a good save from Jones. Whist Garner excellent over head volley brought a good save from Vale keeper Neal.
North End took the lead about five minutes to half time, Humphrys and Garner nearly cocked up the chance but they were bailed out by Gallagher who found the net.
Valle changed tactics in the second half, their master plan was to get Garner sent off. Clatter as many times asd possible into aforementioned player until he loses the plot, and to be fair it nearly worked.
After being flattened once again Garner was bizarrely booked by Mr Fletcher, being beaten to a pulp is obviously against FL rules. Touch paper lit Garner lost the plot in a big way and following a shouting match at the linesman after being assaulted yet again was warned by the referee.
With 20 minutes to go Garner flattened by Zuber who then stupidly put his arm straight into Garner's face, on went the game until the eagle eyed 4th official informed the referee that Zuber had connected with his hand. Mr Fletcher raced at break neck speed brandishing the red card at the Frenchman.
It took him a while to leave the pitch, he discussed the perilous state of the French economy with the North Ends subs before giving a thumbs up to the North End fans who were waving him goodbye.
North End soon took advantage when Browne's deflected shot beat Neal. Garner departed to a standing ovation. All that was left were Gallagher and Buchanan having chances to extend the lead, they didn't take them.

Apparently Vale's manager Rob Page called Garner a disgrace, a bit rich from the club that employed a convicted killer.


Preston North End 2 Port Vale 0