Vale Recreation vs Belgrave Wanderers
0-2
Date: Venue:
18/08/2010 Corbet Field
Matt Drillot's late strike made the game safe for the visitors who went ahead in the 44th minute when a Craig Farnham shot hit Vale defender Simon Shaw and looped over keeper Jody Bisson.
Damien Larkin made his debut in midfield for Rec with Rory Moriarty still recovering from a broken arm and leg.
Vale's players were sporting black armbands in memory of their Chairman Dave Dorey, who sadley passed away in July of this year.
A minute's silence held prior to kick-off to remember Dorey was followed by applause.
Debut: Damien Larkin was in from the start today
Wearing their new M&S sponsored kit, Vale could have been ahead as early as the 2nd minute but striker Gareth Holden's strike scraped the visitors post before going for a Bels goal kick.
Vale's only other chance in the opening 45 came when a long Larkin ball was heading towards young striker Alex Masterton but was superbly cut out by Bels Sam Cochrane.
It looked as though the first period was going to end in stalemate until Farnham's strike deflected off Shaw to leave the brilliant Jody Bisson no chance and give Bels the lead.
Both teams came out after the break and played a higher standard of football and but for a couple of superb stops from the Vale keeper, Bels would have been out of reach.
Vale kept on pushing for an equaliser and a Jason Sarahs header appeared to be heading for the top corner but was saved.
Bels always looked dangerous and substitute Craig Young smashed a shot against the bar from all of 25-yards.
Bels finally extended their lead after catching the home side on the break.
A flowing move ended with Matt Drillot side-footing the ball in from a Dave Rihoy pull-back in the 88th minute and the game was over for a valiant Vale Rec side.