Match Report: Port Vale 0, Huddersfield Town 1

Steve Shaw

Match Report – FA Cup second round

A FIRST-HALF Nathan Clarke goal sent Port Vale crashing out of the FA Cup against a superior Huddersfield Town outfit this afternoon.

Vale were out-played for much of the first half when their League One opponents hit the game's only goal to clear their passage to the third round.

The goal came from an unlikely source as Clarke, a centre-half, bulged the net with a scissor-kick from eight yards.

The Valiants put up a better second-half showing but ultimately lacked the quality to make the breakthrough.

Vale boss Micky Adams criticised his side's display after Tuesday's 2-2 home draw with Torquay United and made three changes to his starting line-up.

Centre-half Gareth Owen, who yesterday underwent an operation on his fractured cheek bone, was replaced by reserve defender Luke Prosser.

The 21-year-old was making his first appearance since being sent off in the 2-1 home defeat by Rotherham a fortnight ago.

Attacker Louis Dodds, who was hauled off during the first half against the Gulls, dropped to the bench. He was replaced by versatile forward Rob Taylor who rescued a point for his side in mid-week with a terrific long-range effort.

Central midfielder Jason Jarrett made way for Anthony Griffith who switched from right wing-back – a position filled by the recalled Adam Yates.

Assistant boss Geoff Horsfield made a welcome return to the bench after recovering from a groin injury, while fellow fringe striker James Lawrie was also named among six substitutes.

Vale's new loan striker Sean Rigg, who arrived from Bristol Rovers earlier this week, was cup tied.

Vale enjoyed an early let-off from a second-minute corner, taken by former Crewe loan midfielder Gary Roberts from the right.

Striker Jordan Rhodes met the delivery at the near post but could only stab the ball wide at the near post from close range.

Soon after, Roberts volleyed into the arms of Valiants keeper Chris Martin, before Lionel Ainsworth fired wide from 20 yards.

While Lee Clark's outfit were offering greater cutting edge Vale still ventured forward on occasions with loan striker Lewis Haldane causing his usual threat down the right flank and in the channels.

And they should have taken the lead in the 10th minute when Kris Taylor's diagonal cross from the left found top scorer Marc Richards in oceans of space in Huddersfield's box.

The striker had plenty of the time to cushion the ball to the ground, using his chest, but somehow managed to lash a 12-yard effort wide of the right-hand post.

Huddersfield brutally punished his miss two minutes later when they broke the deadlock from a 12th-minute free-kick.

Full-back Robbie Williams launched the ball to the left-hand side of the six-yard box where defender Peter Clarke headed the ball across goal.

Vale allowed the ball to travel to the opposite side of Martin's goal where striker Lee Novak flicked the ball into the air allowing centre-half Nathan Clark to crash an overhead kick, from eight yards, against the underside of the bar and into the net.

The goal seemed to galvanise the Terriers more than Vale as good work from Roberts and Michael Collins led to midfielder Antony Kay blazing over from the edge of the box.

Martin produced an excellent 21st-minute save to beat away a rasping 25-yarder from Lee Peltier.

Vale midfielder Anthony Griffith then produced an excellent challenge to distract Rhodes when the striker almost connected with Collins's dangerous low delivery from the right.

Vale's afternoon, in the attacking third at least, was summed up on the half hour when midfielder Doug Loft dragged his 30-yard effort wide of the mark.

On 41 minutes Haldane broke down the right before watching his edge-of-the box thunderbolt get deflected away to safety.

Kris Taylor's resulting corner was headed wide by Luke Prosser.

Vale started the second period in determined fashion.

However, a poor clearance from defender John McCombe in the 49th minute, laid the ball on a plate for Kay to loop a 20-yard shot just over the bar.

Huddersfield continued to press forward with Ainsworth posing Vale problems on the right side.

As the Vale Park faithful turned up the volume their team refused to give up the ghost as a Lee Collins header, meeting Kris Taylor's corner, was cleared.

On 67 minutes, Haldane robbed the ball off Collins before smashing over from distance.

Seconds later, Adams was the first manager to blink as Horsfield was thrown on while Prosser took a rest, while Vale switched from a 3-4-3 formation to 4-3-3.

On 73 minutes Huddersfield fired in a rare second-half shot on goal as Novak misfired from 20 yards.

Adams dealt his final hand in the 77th minute when Loft and Richards were replaced by Jarrett and Dodds respectively.

Vale continued to go in search of an equaliser but their efforts were betrayed by a lack of end product

Teams:

Port Vale: Martin, Yates, Owen, McCombe, Prosser (Horsfield, 67), K Taylor, Loft (Jarrett, 77), Griffith, Haldane, Richards (Dodds 77), R Taylor.

Not used: Anyon, Howland, Lawrie.

Huddersfield Town: Smithies, Peltier, P Clarke, N Clarke, R Williams, Ainsworth (Berrett, 80), Kay, Collins, Roberts, Rhodes (Robinson, 80), Novak.

Not used: Skarz, Goodwin, Butler, Glennon, Hunt.

Referee: Carl Boyeson (East Yorkshire)

Attendance: 5,311 (including 1,335 visitors)