The crowd may not have matched the one that witnessed Saturday’s FA Cup triumph, but in the grander surroundings of the new infrastructure of the Vale Park complex, Charlie Blakemore’s side more than matched their opponents for 50 minutes before succumbing to two goals from former Blackburn midfielder Marc Richards writes Russell Brown.

Vale, fielding a side that included three players on the bench for Saturday’s Coca-Cola League one game against Brighton, faced up to a Chasetown side that made three changes from the team that earned a fourth qualifying FA Cup home draw against Nuneaton Borough, with John Branch, Ben Twigger and Saturday’s goal scoring hero Danny Smith all making the line up to face the Valiants.

It was a bright start from the visitors who seemed to enjoy the luxury of the superb Vale Park pitch as they swept the ball around in the opening stages. Lee Parsons cross field pass picked out the run from Mark Branch on the Chasetown left flank and he took the ball down well, but fired a rising shot over the Vale goal.

The home side replied and Jason Talbot’s cross in found Richards whose header flashed over the bar. Parsons then helped out his defenders by providing a timely block to halt the lively Richards as Vale threatened again.

Mark Branch was able to win Chasetown their first corner when his excellent delivery forced Charlie O’Loughlin to usher the ball out at the far post. The flag kick was played short and Twigger’s first time cross was met by Joe Williams, but his header was again high of the target.

Vaughan Thomas ensured that Calum Willcock would not profit from a dangerous ball played into the burly striker, blocking the effort for a fruitless corner. It was to prove a fascinating duel between the big centre forward, who lists Fulham and Bristol Rovers as his former hunting grounds and the Chasetown centre half, with Willcock almost going ahead on points when he set up Talbot to drive a shot through a crowded area. Lee Evans was however, right behind the effort to collect comfortably.

Again, Willcock was the supplier as he teed up Richards to hit a drive that bounced dangerously in front of Evans and the keeper did well to judge the bounce correctly to turn it aside for a corner.

Just before the break a superb free kick from Mark Branch saw Chris Martin lose the flight of the ball in the floodlights, but somehow in a crowded area, the ball struck Craig Holland and just looped over the crossbar.

It was a more focused Vale side that started the second half, presumably stung by a strong dressing room pep talk by Andy Porter and it took the home side just five minutes to make the breakthrough. Some great work from Danny Glover enable Richards to get the extra yard on the defenders and the striker flicked the ball in at the near post to open the scoring.

That goal certainly put a spring in the home sides step and for the next five minutes, Chasetown were looking at a period of damage limitation. But it was another fluid move by the Valiants that doubled the lead. Simon Richman moved easily down the Chasetown left and his clipped ball in was met by a clever header from Richards that just had enough deflection on it to guide it past Evans for his second of the game.

That setback was met immediately with a double substitution from the visitors. On came Kyle Perry and Karl Edwards to spearhead a three man attack along with Dean Perrow and it was Perry who provided the best chance for Chasetown, forcing Martin into his first real save of the game as the Italian born keeper got both hands to a fierce snap shot from the substitute.

But it was still Vale who looked the most menacing and Joe Williams easily earned himself the Chasetown man of the match award with some sterling work that along with defensive partner Chris Slater and the hard working John Branch, keep out Vale for the remainder of the game.

The final whistle may have ended Chasetown’s interests in their County Cup, but there was enough in this performance to suggest that they may be harder to shake off in the FA Cup competition.

Chasetown: Evans, J Branch, M Branch, Slater, Thomas, Williams, Twigger (Edwards), Parsons, Smith (Perry), Perrow, Holland (Steane)

Other Subs: Spacey, Thompson (not used)