Bristol Rovers 2-0 Port Vale (League Two)

Ryan Brunt scored both Rovers goals to see off Port Vale

For the third home game in succession, Rovers have comfortably defeated a side who find themselves challenging for promotion from League Two. Port Vale came to the Mem looking to get their season back on track after something of a hiccup recently but a first half brace from Ryan Brunt saw off the Valiants to ensure the 3 points stayed in Bristol. It was a great day for Rovers considering the Secretary of State's decision not to call in the Sainsbury's application and it was also good to see retired former winger Lewis Haldane lead the teams out at 7.45pm considering his connection to both clubs.


It was a much smaller crowd than we've been used to in recent weeks, only 5111, but once the game got going they were in fine voice. To their credit, Vale fans did try to sing initially but they had very little to cheer and soon quietened when we took an early lead. Ollie Norburn delivered a right-wing corner and Brunt stole in to head beyond Chris Neal for 1-0. It was the perfect start and on the balance of the early running it was probably deserved. Jim Paterson fired wide from 18 yards moments before and a free header from Brunt also had Vale worried before the deadlock was broken.

Vale tried to get back in the game immediately and midfielder Chris Birchall will have been disappointed to have blazed over an effort from 8 yards when well placed in the penalty area. League Two leading scorer Tom Pope then headed straight at Mildenhall before Rovers increased their margin of victory even further. It was another Norburn corner that caused confusion in the Vale defence and Brunt was on hand to direct the ball goalwards with his right foot at the near post. 2-0 and Rovers were cruising.

Following the half-time break Micky Adams' Valiants attempted to get on the front foot and forced a couple of corners, but they came to nothing thanks to good marking and goalkeeping. Danny Woodards was deputising at centre half for the injured Mark McChrystal and was doing a fine job in keeping Pope and latterly Lee Hughes at bay. Rovers responded at the other end and should have scored their third when Ellis Harrison cut inside and drilled a powerful left-footed effort at goal, only for Neal to make a great save to tip it over the bar. In terms of chances they were pretty scarce up until the moment Ryan Brunt could have netted his first professional hat-trick. A shot was only blocked by the chest of Neal and the loose ball fell in to space for Brunt to shoot in to an empty net, but somehow he struck the ball too well and it flew inches over the crossbar. The 19 year old was visibly gutted with his miss but Vale were creating very little so there didn't seem any genuine chance of it coming back to haunt us.

Indeed it didn't and aside from a late Lee Hughes effort, Mildenhall had little to deal with bar a few crosses. Substitute Ashley Vincent sustained a late injury and was forced off the field on a stretcher and it is believed he suffered either a broken leg or ruptured knee ligaments. This forced Vale to see out the final minutes of the game with 10 men having made all 3 substitutions but by this point there was little need for Rovers to commit men forward. The referee indicated 7 minutes of additional time but not much happened bar a few tackles and a booking for young Tom Hitchcock. Rovers saw out the game comfortably and set themselves up nicely for a game against Rochdale at the Mem on Saturday. We are now above Dale in the table and could extend that gap with a victory but they'll be a new test for the side as they do try and get the ball down in wide areas.

We are now all but safe, which makes it mission accomplished for John Ward. It's now on to the next game and see where we can finish in the table. Up the Gas!