BAKER'S DOZEN FOR ANDY

STOKE ON TRENT  0   VALEOF LUNE  13

The Potteries are justifiably proud of their citizens and their manufacturing industry, much of which alas, has disappeared. Sir Stanley Matthews, Arnold Bennett, Robbie Williams, Josiah Wedgwood, Royal Doulton, commodes and other such essentials in the shape of some exquisitely moulded or plain functional sanitary ware, all have their links to North Staffordshire.
After the performance against Lymm, the Vale arrived at Hartwell Lane in rural Barlaston, far from the smoking bottle kilns and the lattice work of pit winding gear of yesteryear, hardly flushed with success. They knew that a third defeat on the trot would send them further down the pan. It would require something more than just going through the motions, a solid performance was needed from everyone; hopefully the laxatives handed out in the training sessions had done their work and any post Lymm constipation had been blown away.

The team coach pulled into the car park at Stoke with ample time to spare; there would have been hell to pay if the Press Secretary had got this one wrong because he was born not too far away! An early arrival equals a pre match four pinter for the Alies. This also applied to the two Junior Alies, Andrew Sutcliffe and Guinness Joe's minder, Michael Huntington. Michael searched in vain for some nuts; apparently they are included in some juicy cocktail he has been known to take prior to some games. Later I ploughed through my 'Lets make a Cocktail' book for such a concoction, but drew a blank.

Vale had first use of the slope and the wind and set off at a healthy lick, moving the ball constructively, forwards and backs working well together. In the sixteenth minute Andrew Garnett lashed a penalty goal over from just inside Stoke's half, despite having to contend with the piercing ring tone of 'Mr Shagpile's' mobile phone as he began his run up.

The home side's touch judge, with a wink and a nod, confided that the wind was a 'fifteen pointer'. Such a prophecy caused a few shivers, especially when the penalty turned out to be the only score of an entertaining half. Vale had not only looked positive in attack but they had defended well, supported each other and were good value for their half time lead; size does not always matter!

After the break the Vale pinned Stoke back deep in their own half with a series of attacks and energy sapping scrums. In the fiftieth minute the Stoke defences were breached comprehensively. Ian Bird, who had a storming game, made the initial break, James Curran, playing more like his old self carried on the move which by now had reached open ground. Ian looped round and looked certain to score, but he unselfishly passed the ball to Neil Bennetts, unfortunately the referee deemed the final pass to have gone forward.
This set back did not deter the Vale in their quest. A Stoke attack was broken up on half way and the visitors launched a counter attack. Ian was again involved in the build up, but it was Andrew Garnett who out stripped the cover. Again another overlap was created, but with players outside him straining at the leash, Andrew went solo to touch down under the posts for his try which he converted in the fifty seventh minute.

Stoke went hunting for points but the Vale's defence was more than equal to the task. Dave Halliwell's arrival off the bench provided a little extra to a pack that had combined mobility in the loose and discipline in the sets throughout the game. The tempo remained high until the end, with Vale's final score coming from a second penalty from Andrew in the first minute of injury time.

Before returning North there was time to sample a delicacy of the region, oatcakes. Similar in shape and thickness to pancakes, but made from oats and to a recipe that remains a closely guarded secret, they are filled with a variety of ingredients, with cheese being a popular choice.

Leaving behind an hospitable club, a stop was arranged at the market town of Sandbach, a favourite watering hole for the Vale in the past. Nothing had changed; the cobbles were still there, the pubs still huddled round the square, some modern with stainless steel fittings, laminate floors and bright lights, others more traditional, and as always welcoming. But the Vale's favourite landlady, Rita, could not be found, she had retired a few days earlier. Times are changing in Sandbach; there were bouncers spotted on some of the pub doors as the Vale made their way back to the coach.

VALE OF LUNE:  A.Miller, J.Curran, A.Garnett, I.Bird, J.Bryan, N.Bennetts (Capt), M.Walker, P.Jackson, G.Barton, A.Cowey (Rep D.Halliwell 66), M.Speight, L.Farnworth, D.Lin, J.Knox, M.Fowler.