Port Vale v Sheffield Wednesday - Updates as Owls look to continue push towards the top
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It is the first meeting between the two sides since 2009 and the Owls will be hoping to add three points onto the tally against a side freshly promoted from League Two.
The Valiants will be no pushovers, however, and Darren Moore himself guarded against the prospect of taking things lightly.
These are the games that cost Wednesday last season and they’ll no doubt be desperate to claim a win at the start of a congested October timetable.
Port Vale v Sheffield Wednesday - Updates as Owls look to take top spot
Control the key
Wednesday are doing their best to grapple control of the ball here. Bannan’s raking ball up top to Wilks sparks a moment or two of head tennis and Vaulks joins to smash a volley goalwards - but the ref blows up and nothing comes of it.
15 gone..
Fairly even stuff so far - Port Vale have had moments and have hit the woodwork, Wednesday have sought to grab hold of the ball and quiet the atmosphere.
Some fine defensive work and some nice moment up top for the Wizards.
JUST OVER!
Bannan shoots with his right, but Stephens parries over. That JUST landed the other side of the bar - great chance!
Chance Vale..
A long range bouncing volley looks fairly innocuous but it bounces and bobbles its way through the crowded penalty area - Stockdale saves with his feet at close range. Top save.
It’s been very nip and tuck
It’s open - but to choose the better side? Wednesday may have shaded it. Both teams have forced saves and caused problems - such a weird game to try to describe.
There was SO MUCH spoken about last season in these sort of games - fans and side up for the visit of the Owls, Wednesday finding it difficult to make an attack stick.
If they want to win this league, these are the afternoons you have to take a win from.
HALF-TIME - it’s goalless
A tricky, stop-start half for the Owls, who just can’t seem to get themselves going on a testing pitch and a pumped-up Vale Park. Think Morecambe; they’ll be confident of making it count, but they’ll have to be careful given the home side’s efforts on goal in that first half.
Have yourself some ratings..
Stockdale - 6
Ihiekwe - 6
Heneghan - 7
James - 6
Palmer - 5
Vaulks - 6
Bannan - 7
Windass - 6
Johnson - 6
Smith - 5
Wilks - 5