The Match
It’s a warm summer’s evening here in Burslem as we get underway five minutes late. And City, returning to their famous Sky Blue colours, look to carry on in an unbeaten vein of form this pre-season.
In a quiet opening to the game, Vale drew the first gasps from the crowd in the fourth minute as Leon Constantine’s low 20-yarder sneaked past Nick Weaver’s right hand post.
Quiet no longer, as City break the deadlock after just eight minutes. Joey Barton the scorer of a simple goal, tapping in after a far post header from Trevor Sinclair.
Vale’s response was almost instant. Akpo Sodje though could only drive his chance against Weaver’s legs on 10 minutes.
City continued to be the dominant force in the game without creating too many chances and on 24 minutes Vale were forced to make a substitution. George Abbey replaced Michael Walsh.
Samaras, Dickov and Sinclair had all started well for the Blues as they were getting an easier ride than in the opening half of Saturday’s match at Rochdale.
In the 31st minute confusion reigned. A free-kick awarded to City was quickly taken by Joey Barton from the edge of the box - he scored - and the goal was allowed to stand with the Vale players up in arms and clearly unready.
No arguments over Barton’s hat-trick goal though. A great ball from Ishmael Miller over the top set Dickov free, he held it up before giving Sinclair the chance to cross the ball for Joey to make it three and easy for City.
HALF TIME: Vale 0-3 City
Three City changes at the break. Hart for Weaver in goal, Jordan for Richards and Ireland for the first half hero Barton. Vale themselves made just the one change - with Smith making way for Hulbert.
City made another change on 56 minutes, Georgios Samaras giving way to young striker Daniel Sturridge.
Paul Dickov made himself popular with the home crowd in an almost carbon copy challenge to the one on Saturday were he inflicted pain on the opposition left back. Luckily for Vale no stretcher was needed unlike at Spotland at the weekend.
Dickov’s niggling and substitutions aside, the second half was pretty uneventful with City in no real danger of coming under any Port Vale pressure. City ramming home the point with six subs on 70 minutes.
One of the latest subs, Willo Flood, drew a save from Goodlad on 78 minutes after he cut in from the left and hit a decent drive.
The game drew to a slow end with City’s work all done in the first half - none the less it was another good run out for Pearce’s men as they head to Bradford on Saturday before China for the World Series Tournament.
Also don’t forget to watch “Inside MCFC” tomorrow on Channel M for all the latest news on the Blues - first showing is at 7.30pm.
FULL TIME: Vale 0-3 City
