First it was an elementary school boy error from Broady, and such a simple tap in. Constantine MUST have thought it was his birthday and christmas presents all rolled in to one! It was so easy - sorry - we made it so easy!
A second for the visitors came from a corner just 10 minutes later. Pilkington was the first to the ball (where was our defense?) to head home from close range.
The rest of the half was a dour affair. Vale didn't push, and we didn't know how to. On the rare occassion we did burst forward, the crossing was poor, or restricted to long range efforts. The first of those came from an ineffective Ainsworth whose 'shot' was more like a back pass. A similar Connolly shot did sting the keepers hands as he pushed it behind for a corner. Those were the only two efforts on target throughout the half. Not good enough for a so-called home side.
The second half wasn't much better. Eddie Howe was easily our busiest player, and made some crucial saving tackles. Gillett was also lively down the right hand side. Sadly final delivery was either non-existent, or made easy for their keeper to collect.
The replacement of Steve Claridge, making his 1000th League appearance, for the youthful Vokes and the pedestrian Anderton for Hollands made no difference either. Shortly after those changes, Constantine netted his second as anothe straight forward chance was put away - cue first departures. Then with 10 minutes left on the clock substitute Sodje made an instant impact by volleying the ball home from the edge of the area. Cue mass departures.
Moss also had to be alert on other occassions when the midfield and defence parted like the waves to allow Vale through at will, and without a challenge. Several brave saves were required, and produced, to prevent an even worse scoreline.
Serious examination of the playing squad has to be made. Most do not appear to be up for a relegation scrap, which (at the moment) seems destined to result in at least one season in League Two - which is where the standard of football we were watching this afternoon will take us to.
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AFCB: Moss (good), Young (good), Broadhurst (dreadful start, recovered), Cooper (poor), Howe (excellent), Ainsworth (send him back to Derby), Anderton (pedestrian), Pitman (tried but had no service), Gillett (good, tried his best for someone so young), Connolly (average), Claridge (had no service - didn't impress when he did get the ball)
Subs: Stewart, Foley (hardly noticed in the second half - on for Ainsworth, HT), Fletcher (never put a foot wrong! lol), Vokes (did his best - on for Claridge, 58), Hollands (average - on for Anderton, 58)
Andy Burton, Portsmouth