KIDSGROVE TAKE A BATTERING

Kidsgrove Athletic got thumped 5-0 by a very good Port Vale side in their first friendly of the year as the visitors fielded many of their first team players. Colin Daniel’s turn and shoot effort from 12 yards put The Valiants a goal to the good within 10 minutes. Both Ross Davidson and Jordan Johnson went close for Kidsgrove but Vale soon doubled their advantage when Chris Birchill’s cross found Ryan McGivern who guided the ball past Ben Chapman. It was more bad news for Kidsgrove as Warren Holmes was forced off with a worrying injury just a month before the start of the league campaign. The only moment of frailty Vale showed was when McGivern slid a backpass wide of goalkeeper Sam Johnson and was heading towards the goal however Johnson managed to scamper back and clear off the line to spare the blushes of the goalscorer. Vale boss Rob Page made a few changes at half-time and his side went three goals up when Ryan Lloyd drove in a low ball for Birchill to nip in ahead of the defender with a little help from the crossbar. The game took a clear shape with Chapman being forced into many a save whilst Michael Brown pulled the strings from midfield. On the hour mark Page completely changed his side as 9 players were switched over including the goalkeeper. It was soon 4-0 after Bryan Moore played in Ajay Leitch-Smith (pictuted) who slid the ball between the sticks. The trialist got a second and Vale’s fifth when he latched on to a Sam Foley pass to shoot past Chapman with three minutes remaining.  

16/7/15