YOUTH: Result from the Port Vale home game

The under-18 side were at home for their rearranged game against Port Vale at Creighton on Wednesday afternoon.

And it was a game full of incident as United eventually sealed the win despite a spirited fightback from the 10-man Valiants.

The hosts kicked into a strong wind through the first half but they were bright from the off with Fishburn interested in a through ball that left the keeper with a decision to make. He got there before the big striker and was quickly on his feet, looking for an outlet.

United immediately regained possession and Rooks used Steele on the overlap on the right wing. A teasing delivery was missed by the stopper as he misjudged the flight and the unmarked Dylan Garvey had a smile on his face as he swept the ball into the empty net.

It was all about the home side as they took confidence from the opener and Watt wasn't too far away when he took a pass off Walton into his stride. He tried to place his shot but it fizzed just wide.

Another move down the right flank brought Rooks into play and he dropped a shoulder before finding space to deliver. Fishburn was ready to put it away but the slightest of touches from a defender took it away from his head.

The forward movement was purposeful and Kilsby raced forward when he spotted a gap. Rooks was a willing outlet once again, and he picked out Garvey who was loitering in a dangerous area. His instinctive shot was blocked as the keeper dived the wrong way.

A corner followed and the inswinger from Rooks eluded everybody as it flashed across the face of goal. Kilsby was at the back stick and he was disappointed that he couldn't find the touch to finish it off.

The move of the day came when Leslie and Walton took control in midfield. The ball was sent sharply to Rooks, and he bounced it off Garvey before clipping it for Steele to overlap. His delivery was on the money as Fishburn jumped highest to glance it, and there was disappointment all round as it shaved the outside of the post.

Port Vale were given a mountain to climb on 20 minutes when a defence splitting pass was well taken by Fishburn. The keeper advanced and there were loud appeals as he appeared to scoop the ball off the floor with his left hand. The officials consulted and the unfortunate glovesman was eventually shown the red card. 

The game settled after the sending off but the home lead was doubled when Steele and Rooks conspired to find Fishburn with his back to goal. He stepped away from a challenge and hung the ball up, and Dylan Garvey doubled his tally for the day with a crisp volleyed net buster.

It was much tighter after the break, as Vale worked hard to keep things organised, and they gave their hosts a scare on 53 minutes when a lovely through ball was dinked over the advancing Isaac Robinson and into the bottom corner.

Clear-cut chances were suddenly few and far between, but the two-goal cushion was restored when Garvey worked hard to beat his man. Angling towards the edge of the area he popped it to Fishburn, who held his marker off before making his move. The goal was suddenly at his mercy and he picked his spot with a measured toe poke.

DJ Taylor and Hill had efforts blocked as the clock ticked down, and Fishburn was needed at the other end when he nodded off the line when a headed effort dipped towards the roof of the net from a whisked set piece.

United kept the tempo high and it was back to winning ways as the full time whistle blew on a workmanlike display.

United - Robinson, Steele, Ellis, Barnett, Kilsby (Carr 82), Rooks (Taylor 64), Leslie (c), Walton, Watt (Hill 80), Garvey, Fishburn. Subs - Simons, Bell.

Goals - Garvey (3, 36), Fishburn (66)

Booking - Fishburn (45)

 

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