Port Vale vs Rochdale. EFL Trophy Northern Area First Round.
Vale ParkAttendance2,442.
Tuesday 31 August 2010 22:17, UK
Goals from Marc Richards and Justin Richards earned Port Vale a place in the next round of the JPT as they beat Rochdale 2-1.
The visitors were first to settle at Vale Park on Tuesday night as Matt Done's fierce shot drew a fine save from Stuart Tomlinson before a Done cross was headed just wide by Anthony Elding. But the tide had turned before Marc Richards gave Vale a 27th-minute lead when he smashed in an angled drive from 15 yards from a pass by Anthony Griffith. The introduction of half-time substitutes Andrew Tutte and Helio Andre sparked Rochdale back into life as Elding's shot forced a terrific save from Chris Martin. But the visitors' neat approach work lacked bite in the final third and Vale broke out to score what proved the winner in the 70th minute. Lee Collins powered into the danger area from Tommy Fraser's chipped pass and the full-back's low delivery was slammed home by Justin Richards. Done finally rewarded Rochdale's neat passing with an unstoppable 18-yard drive 11 minutes from time and Joe Thompson almost equalised when his shot struck the bar.
