First Half
After c15mins of some turgid Radio Stoke comms {sorry Radio Stoke}, who seemed to ignore Town's recent uplift of 4 wins on the spin and only concentrated on league position. It was the kind of observation you might expect from the ignorance or leaning bias of a fan - not from a BBC commentator. Still, it seems like even the uninformed ''are-we-from-cheshire-or-are-we-from-brum'' commentators were somewhat better than Sky+ who appear to have invented a new format for league promotion.
Thankfully, order was restored with Radio Wilts filtering back into my hearing funnels and the soft tones of Hawes. Pleasantly followed by the gentle lingering Welsh noted of Paul Bodin. Praise be for a commentary at home without ''dour'' Deeeve 'Ockadeee.
Moments later, Town get clobbered in the Port Vale box and Ofoborh shows Tshimanga just how to win a legitimate penalty. January Transferee elect, Will Wright, steps up {as both temporary captain and penalty taker} to slot home a cool and somewhat casual penalty. For a moment there were shades of the ball, slowly heading the wrong side of the post but like my fears, the ball crept in on the correct side of the goal line and all fears of penalties versus Port Vale were put to the sword. 1 - 0 {Wright, pen 20mins}
It wasn't long before Vale hit back with a pretty well worked goal. A goal that if we are honest, was coming and surprised that their early efforts hadn't proved fruits. A minute or two proving this as Garrity shanked a golden chance to level. Stockley continued a move which led to Headley who completed a very well worked goal. Some suspect keeping though from Bycroft though. 1 - 1 {Headley, 31mins}
The threat of Stockley was soon reduced for Town as he went off injured but it was Vale who took the lead, with arguably an even better worked goal than their equaliser. A good passing exchange ended with Croasdale providing for Tolaj. You could see the relative quality coming through and some good pressing as a unit from Vale. Clearly showing why they are probably nearer the top, yet like many teams in League Two - not without their faults. Would we see a better goal in this game? 1 - 2 {Tolaj, 40mins}
To answer the last question, indeed we did, and it was to come from Town. A sublime move which involved the tireless Aaron Drinan, who set up the in form Butterworth, scoring a beautiful equaliser. 2 - 2 {Buttersby, 45mins}
More of the same second half but hopefully a result in Town's favour. I'm now feeling Town can even come away from this with 3pts but a single one would be just as welcome. A great half and nice to see two teams trying to play football. I'll add, it is a much better display than that of Mansfield v Northampton in the League above. Plenty of orange hats in attendance and reports so far seem good natured from all areas concerned. C.O.Y.R
Second Half
Not a lot to really add here. The ref appeared to deteriorate and whilst having more decisions to make, seemed like a totally different official.
Really this half was defined by the two goals. Yet again, the progression of goals becoming absolute worldies was affirmed by Cotterill...effing Cotterill hits an absolute beast from outside the box, right before a game of chess was about to ensure for both managers. Town seemed to be in control for this period with not a lot happening. 3pts suddenly seemed like it could be a very distinct reality. 3 - 2 {Cotterill, 63mins}
It wasn't to be and possibly fatigue with a stretched side. A somewhat tired Ofoborh, trying to do the right thing {could possibly argue in that moment he knows that Bycroft is limited, so made his decision based on trying to protect his keeper} - did the wrong thing and allowed the ever present Tolaj to pounce. He made sure there was no doubt and rifled the ball high into the roof of the net pretty much at the death. 3 - 3 {Tolaj, 87mins}
A late save from Bycroft, but it was a very dramatic save, which likely didn't need the theatrics but it ultimately prevented Port Vale obtaining a very late winner. That would likely have been somewhat undeserved as both teams matched one another. A point probably in all fairness, and later on reflection a very good result. To take from this, gives a measure of the bar for the league and an indicator of where Town's true position at this moment should be. It certainly feels more like the level in this division that Town should always be at - at a bare minimum. Ergo, having promotion form and competing in the Top 7. Let us not be swayed, this should always be the minimum demanded in League Two.
Good to see, a somewhat great game for the neutral. A much better advert for lower league footy than the Mansfield v Northampton match last night {which was supposedly a league above, watching it felt like a league below and it was only slightly better than the ''glamour'' FA Cup tie involving Man Utd and Leicester}. Initial disappointment not to come away with a win should soon come to good reflection that this was a good draw and Town genuinely now start looking up the table rather than down, as they enter the final third of the season
FT 3 - 3 {Wright, Butterworth, Cotterill; Headley, Tolaj x2}
Att: 7,606 {549 Valiant Pork Pies}
My PotM: Drinan {despite going off injured}. He didn't score today but pretty much everything he did today was that unabashed hard work and teamwork, whilst also leading towards a key moment of play for a goal or an assist. Butterworth a very close second.
