Port Vale: Backing for Anyon after Northampton howler

by Steve Shaw

GOALKEEPER Joe Anyon has been defended in the wake of his first-half clanger that helped Northampton Town win 3-1 at Vale Park on Saturday.

With the score at 1-1, the 23-year-old gifted Northampton the lead on 45 minutes by spilling a cross to allow Abdul Osman to score from close range.

It was Anyon’s first major setback since earning a recall to Vale’s starting line-up four games ago, but his defensive colleague Lee Collins said: “Saturday does not affect my judgment of Joe at all. I think he’s a brilliant keeper.

“I feel sorry for keepers, because they can make one mistake and you can concede, whereas outfield players can get away with several mistakes and not get punished.

“Joe made a couple of good saves on Saturday and I’ve got a lot of confidence in him. It was just unfortunate.”

Northampton strikers Adebayo Akinfenwa and Billy McKay hit first-half goals either side of Osman’s strike to condemn Vale to a sixth home League Two defeat of the season.

Anyon has started Vale’s previous four games after recovering from a broken leg he suffered nearly 12 months ago.

But his inconsistent display against the Cobblers may open the door for Chris Martin, who has made 30 league starts this season, to return between the sticks tomorrow night.

However, with Vale preparing for tomorrow’s visit of Bradford City (7.45pm), Collins backed Anyon to bounce back  from a rare lapse in concentration.

“Joe would have been hurting over the weekend, but we’re now preparing for tomorrow’s game,” he said.

“Joe is professional and he’ll get on with it.  He’ll punish himself because there’s no bigger critic of Joe than himself.”

Anyon’s inconsistent display against the Cobblers may open the door for Chris Martin, who has made 30 league starts this season, to return tomorrow.

However, Vale boss Micky Adams remains tight-lipped on which of his keepers will get the nodto face the Bantams.

“Keepers make mistakes from time-to-time and we’re not going to pillory Joe for that,” he said. “He’ll have to live with it.”