2001 Football League Trophy Final
Encyclopedia
The 2001 Football League Trophy Final (known as the LDV Vans Trophy for sponsorship reasons) was the 18th final of the Football League Trophy
, the domestic football cup competition for teams from the Football League Second
and Third Division
s. It was the first League Trophy final played at the Millennium Stadium
in Cardiff, previous such matches were played at Wembley and the new stadium
was yet to be built. The match was contested by Port Vale
and Brentford
on 22 April 2001. Port Vale won the match 2–1 with Marc Bridge-Wilkinson
and Steve Brooker
the scorers.
2–1 in 1993
and Brentford had lost 3–1 to Wigan Athletic
in 1985
. The year previous
to Vale's original first title, rivals
Stoke City
had taken home the trophy. Stoke were the winners of the 2000 final
, so a "keeping up with the Joneses
" mindset gave Vale extra motivation to win in 2001, as well as providing them with something of a good omen
.
Port Vale, based in Burslem
, Stoke-on-Trent
and London
based Brentford had little reason to take note of each other before facing each other in the final. They had previously been restricted to league encounters and the final was the first cup fixture between the two clubs. Earlier in the 2000–01 season both games had finished as 1–1 draws; Widdrington
and Owusu
scoring at Vale Park
, Evans and Bridge-Wilkinson
the scorers at Griffin Park
. Both clubs finished the season in mid-table; Vale in 11th and Brentford in 14th, just three points separating them after 46 games. All the evidence pointed to a close match.
and South
sections, Vale qualified for the final by being the last survivors from the north and Brentford qualified as the strongest team from the south.
The First Round saw Port Vale breeze past Notts County
3–0 at Vale Park
and Brentford defeat Second Division
whipping-boys Oxford United
4–1 at Griffin Park
.
In the Second Round Vale had a home fixture against the only non-league
team in the competition – Chester City
had suffered relegation from the Football League
the previous season, they duly won 2–0. Brentford had a more tricky fixture; facing eventual Third Division
champions Brighton & Hove Albion
at the Withdean
. Yet the fixture actually took place at Brentford's home ground, with the score 2–2 it took a penalty shootout to end the tie.
The Area Quarter-final was also favourable to Vale, they took apart Third Division strugglers Darlington
4–0 at Vale Park. Brentford had another away fixture, they beat Barnet
at the Underhill Stadium
.
Port Vale found their challenge in the Area Semi-finals, despite it being a home tie the fixture was actually played at the Britannia Stadium
, against their rivals
and last season's winners Stoke City
. It took extra time
to separate the teams, Michael Cummins
put the Vale ahead before Nicky Mohan
scored a late equalizer. A Marc Bridge-Wilkinson
penalty
in the 105th minute gave the Burslem
club a night of celebration. The next day Brentford travelled to Vetch Field
in Wales
, where they neutered Swansea City
with a 3–2 win.
The Area Finals were two-legged fixtures, Port Vale against Lincoln City
and Brentford against Southend United
. At Sincil Bank
Bridge-Wilkinson and Naylor gave the "Valiants" a 2–0 victory. At Roots Hall
Michael Dobson
gave the "Bees" a 2–1 victory despite Spencer Whelan
's best efforts. In the second leg the Vale Park fixture was goalless, Lincoln doing little to trouble Vale. The Brentford game was rather more eventful, Ívar Ingimarsson
and Lloyd Owusu
scored Brentford's two goals to Southend's one – scored by Damon Searle
.
out-jumping Brisco
to head home a corner
beyond the helpless Goodlad
for a 3rd minute lead.
The tone of the game was set by Vale's dominant five man midfield
, with Brammer the engine that drove the "Valiants" search for an equalizer as Brentford struggled to keep pace. It was Brammer who made the Vale's intentions clear; sending a long-range strike goal ward, only for it to be deflected wide.
Whereas Burton
made the Brentford defence nervous from set pieces, misers Naylor
, Brooker
and Bridge-Wilkinson
presented the danger from open play. On the 20 minute mark, Naylor pulled back a ball which Bridge-Wilkinson hooked wide. This was to prove their most dangerous movement of the half.
made the right call was a topic of debate.
However Brentford could not rely on help from the officials for long and on the 76th minute, when Powell
brought down Naylor on the edge of the area, the referee signalled for a penalty
. Bridge-Wilkinson converted, sending Gottskalksson the wrong way.
Seven minutes later and the Burslem
club had the lead; Naylor won the ball from Mahon
deep in the Brentford half. He squared the ball to Brooker, who struck his shot sweetly, leaving Vale 2–1 up on 83 minutes.
Brentford then piled on the pressure and had numerous late chances; the first falling to substitute McCammon
whose first touch of the game was a poor header that could have found the net if it was well placed. The last kick of the game could have taken it to extra time, however Owusu
headed wide from Gottskálksson
's overhead kick – the Brentford goalkeeper doing more than making up the numbers in the Vale box during the last seconds of injury time.
it was a rare high point before relegation
to League Two
in 2007–08
. In 2006–07 Brentford finished bottom of League One before being crowned champions of League Two in 2008–09
. They reached the final of the Football League Trophy again in 2011
, only to lose to Carlisle United
.
The trophy was Brian Horton
's only major honour at Port Vale, his five year reign ended with his resignation in February in 2004, after disagreements with the board over both his contract and the playing budget. After an unsuccessful two years as manager of Macclesfield Town
he joined the staff at Hull City
, who soon found themselves playing top-flight football. The match was Ray Lewington last in charge at Brentford, he left for Watford
, becoming their manager the next year. After being sacked from Watford in 2005 he joined the staff at Fulham
.
The young Marc Bridge-Wilkinson
continued to impress at Vale Park
and since leaving in 2004 continued to be a player in demand, following the final he spent the next seven seasons in League One
. Steve Brooker
also departed in 2004, spending 2004 to 2009 at Bristol City
he also became a top performer in League One. Brentford's Michael Dobson
stayed at Griffin Park
until 2006, he played for Walsall
from 2006 to 2008, leaving the game at the age of 27 to set up his own business. Man of the Match Dave Brammer was voted Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year
, and retired in 2009 with 496 competitive appearances to his name.
style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center">
BRENTFORD:
GK
17
Ólafur Gottskálksson
DF
5
Darren Powell
DF
23
David Theobald
DF
19
Paul Gibbs
DF
25
Michael Dobson
DF
15
Ívar Ingimarsson
MF
8
Gavin Mahon
MF
12
Martin Rowlands
MF
7
Paul Evans (c)
FW
9
Lloyd Owusu
FW
10
Scott Partridge
Substitute:
GK
31
Paul Smith
DF
32
Jay Lovett
MF
14
Tony Folan
MF
26
Mark Williams
FW
29
Mark McCammon
Manager:
Ray Lewington
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
, the domestic football cup competition for teams from the Football League Second
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
and Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
s. It was the first League Trophy final played at the Millennium Stadium
Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
in Cardiff, previous such matches were played at Wembley and the new stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
was yet to be built. The match was contested by Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
and Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
on 22 April 2001. Port Vale won the match 2–1 with Marc Bridge-Wilkinson
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson is an English footballer who plays for Conference National club Darlington. He is a left-sided midfielder and also a winger, and is known for his goal-scoring ability....
and Steve Brooker
Steve Brooker
Stephen Michael "Steve" Brooker is an English football striker. In a twelve years professional career he has scored 86 goals in 294 games....
the scorers.
Background
The 2001 Football League Trophy Final was the second such game for both clubs. Port Vale had defeated Stockport CountyStockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
2–1 in 1993
1993 Football League Trophy Final
The 1993 Football League Trophy Final was the 10th final of the domestic football cup competition for teams from Football League Second and Third Division, the Football League Trophy. The final was played at the Wembley Stadium in London on 22 May 1993. The match was contested by Port Vale and...
and Brentford had lost 3–1 to Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
in 1985
1985 Football League Trophy Final
The 1985 Football League Trophy Final, known as the Freight Rover Trophy for sponsorship reasons was the 2nd final of the domestic football cup competition for teams from the Third and Fourth Divisions....
. The year previous
1992 Football League Trophy Final
-External links:*...
to Vale's original first title, rivals
Potteries derby
The Potteries derby is the football local derby in Stoke-on-Trent between Port Vale and Stoke City. The fans of each club both consider the other to be their main rivals; this has led to a heated atmosphere at these matches, especially with the rise of football hooliganism and the 'Naughty Forty'...
Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
had taken home the trophy. Stoke were the winners of the 2000 final
2000 Football League Trophy Final
The 2000 Football League Trophy Final was the 17th final of the domestic football cup competition for teams from the Second and Third Division of the Football League...
, so a "keeping up with the Joneses
Keeping up with the Joneses
"Keeping up with the Joneses" is an idiom in many parts of the English-speaking world referring to the comparison to one's neighbor as a benchmark for social caste or the accumulation of material goods...
" mindset gave Vale extra motivation to win in 2001, as well as providing them with something of a good omen
Omen
An omen is a phenomenon that is believed to foretell the future, often signifying the advent of change...
.
Port Vale, based in Burslem
Burslem
The town of Burslem, known as the Mother Town, is one of the six towns that amalgamated to form the current city of Stoke-on-Trent, in the ceremonial county of Staffordshire, in the Midlands of England.-Topography:...
, Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent , also called The Potteries is a city in Staffordshire, England, which forms a linear conurbation almost 12 miles long, with an area of . Together with the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme Stoke forms The Potteries Urban Area...
and London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
based Brentford had little reason to take note of each other before facing each other in the final. They had previously been restricted to league encounters and the final was the first cup fixture between the two clubs. Earlier in the 2000–01 season both games had finished as 1–1 draws; Widdrington
Tommy Widdrington
Thomas "Tommy" Widdrington is an English former footballer, turned football manager, who is the manager of Southern Football League side Hemel Hempstead Town...
and Owusu
Lloyd Owusu
Lloyd Magnus Owusu is a professional footballer who plays for Hayes & Yeading United on loan from Barnet.After a move from non-League Slough Town, his career took off at Brentford, where he scored 64 goals in 163 league games between 1998 and 2002. He then moved to Sheffield Wednesday, and two...
scoring at Vale Park
Vale Park
Vale Park is a football stadium in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home ground of Port Vale F.C., who have played at the ground since 1950....
, Evans and Bridge-Wilkinson
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson is an English footballer who plays for Conference National club Darlington. He is a left-sided midfielder and also a winger, and is known for his goal-scoring ability....
the scorers at Griffin Park
Griffin Park
Griffin Park is a football ground situated in the London Borough of Hounslow, west London. It has been the home ground of League One side Brentford since it was built in 1904. It is known for being the only English league football ground to have a pub on each corner, and is situated in a...
. Both clubs finished the season in mid-table; Vale in 11th and Brentford in 14th, just three points separating them after 46 games. All the evidence pointed to a close match.
Route to the final
Split between the NorthNorthern England
Northern England, also known as the North of England, the North or the North Country, is a cultural region of England. It is not an official government region, but rather an informal amalgamation of counties. The southern extent of the region is roughly the River Trent, while the North is bordered...
and South
Southern England
Southern England, the South and the South of England are imprecise terms used to refer to the southern counties of England bordering the English Midlands. It has a number of different interpretations of its geographic extents. The South is considered by many to be a cultural region with a distinct...
sections, Vale qualified for the final by being the last survivors from the north and Brentford qualified as the strongest team from the south.
The First Round saw Port Vale breeze past Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
3–0 at Vale Park
Vale Park
Vale Park is a football stadium in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home ground of Port Vale F.C., who have played at the ground since 1950....
and Brentford defeat Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
whipping-boys Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
4–1 at Griffin Park
Griffin Park
Griffin Park is a football ground situated in the London Borough of Hounslow, west London. It has been the home ground of League One side Brentford since it was built in 1904. It is known for being the only English league football ground to have a pub on each corner, and is situated in a...
.
In the Second Round Vale had a home fixture against the only non-league
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
team in the competition – Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
had suffered relegation from the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
the previous season, they duly won 2–0. Brentford had a more tricky fixture; facing eventual Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
champions Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
at the Withdean
Withdean Stadium
Withdean Stadium is an athletics stadium in Withdean, a suburb of Brighton. Between 1999 and 2011 it was the home ground of football team Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.....
. Yet the fixture actually took place at Brentford's home ground, with the score 2–2 it took a penalty shootout to end the tie.
The Area Quarter-final was also favourable to Vale, they took apart Third Division strugglers Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
4–0 at Vale Park. Brentford had another away fixture, they beat Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
at the Underhill Stadium
Underhill Stadium
Underhill is the home of Barnet F.C. It is situated in Barnet in the London Borough of Barnet and has a capacity of 6,200. The stadium is famous for its slope from the North to South end. It is also used for Arsenal reserve games....
.
Port Vale found their challenge in the Area Semi-finals, despite it being a home tie the fixture was actually played at the Britannia Stadium
Britannia Stadium
The Britannia Stadium is an all-seater football stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, England and the home of Premier League club Stoke City Football Club. With space for 27,598 spectators . The name is taken from the sponsors of the Stadium the Britannia Co-operative Bank...
, against their rivals
Potteries derby
The Potteries derby is the football local derby in Stoke-on-Trent between Port Vale and Stoke City. The fans of each club both consider the other to be their main rivals; this has led to a heated atmosphere at these matches, especially with the rise of football hooliganism and the 'Naughty Forty'...
and last season's winners Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
. It took extra time
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
to separate the teams, Michael Cummins
Michael Cummins
Michael Thomas 'Micky' Cummins is an Irish footballer who plays for Gateshead. He has also appeared for the Republic of Ireland under-21 team....
put the Vale ahead before Nicky Mohan
Nicky Mohan
Nicholas "Nicky" Mohan is an English former professional footballer who played in defence making 390 league appearances for seven clubs during his 15-year football league career.-Playing career:...
scored a late equalizer. A Marc Bridge-Wilkinson
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson is an English footballer who plays for Conference National club Darlington. He is a left-sided midfielder and also a winger, and is known for his goal-scoring ability....
penalty
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
in the 105th minute gave the Burslem
Burslem
The town of Burslem, known as the Mother Town, is one of the six towns that amalgamated to form the current city of Stoke-on-Trent, in the ceremonial county of Staffordshire, in the Midlands of England.-Topography:...
club a night of celebration. The next day Brentford travelled to Vetch Field
Vetch Field
The Vetch Field was a multi-purpose stadium in Swansea, Wales. It was used mostly for football matches and was the home ground of Swansea City until the Liberty Stadium opened in 2005. Opened in 1912, the ground held around 12,000 at the time of its closure, but upwards of 30,000 at its peak...
in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, where they neutered Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
with a 3–2 win.
The Area Finals were two-legged fixtures, Port Vale against Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
and Brentford against Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
. At Sincil Bank
Sincil Bank
Sincil Bank is a football stadium in Lincoln, England and has been the home of Lincoln City since 1895. Previously, Lincoln City had played at the nearby John O'Gaunts ground since the club's 1884 inception. Sincil Bank has an overall capacity of 10,120 and is colloquially known to fans as "The...
Bridge-Wilkinson and Naylor gave the "Valiants" a 2–0 victory. At Roots Hall
Roots Hall
Roots Hall is a multi-use sports stadium in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England, primarily used for football games and is the home of the Football League Two club Southend United. With a capacity of 12,392 Roots Hall is the largest football stadium in Essex, and is the current venue for the final of...
Michael Dobson
Michael Dobson (footballer)
Michael Dobson is an English former professional footballer.Dobson came through the youth ranks at Brentford, a club whom his father George had played for, and spent six years at the club, including a couple of years as club captain...
gave the "Bees" a 2–1 victory despite Spencer Whelan
Spencer Whelan
Spencer Whelan is a former professional footballer who played as a defender for Chester City and Shrewsbury Town during the 1990s.-Playing career:...
's best efforts. In the second leg the Vale Park fixture was goalless, Lincoln doing little to trouble Vale. The Brentford game was rather more eventful, Ívar Ingimarsson
Ívar Ingimarsson
Ívar Ingimarsson , is an Icelandic professional footballer currently playing for Ipswich Town.-Early years:...
and Lloyd Owusu
Lloyd Owusu
Lloyd Magnus Owusu is a professional footballer who plays for Hayes & Yeading United on loan from Barnet.After a move from non-League Slough Town, his career took off at Brentford, where he scored 64 goals in 163 league games between 1998 and 2002. He then moved to Sheffield Wednesday, and two...
scored Brentford's two goals to Southend's one – scored by Damon Searle
Damon Searle
Damon Peter Searle is a Welsh professional footballer. He is a left-sided defender and midfielder currently without a club after leaving Welsh Premier League side Haverfordwest County.-Career:...
.
First half
Brentford got off to a flying start; young DobsonMichael Dobson (footballer)
Michael Dobson is an English former professional footballer.Dobson came through the youth ranks at Brentford, a club whom his father George had played for, and spent six years at the club, including a couple of years as club captain...
out-jumping Brisco
Neil Brisco
Neil Brisco is an English former footballer. A versatile player, he was comfortable both in defence and in midfield.A former Manchester City trainee, he made his name in a six year spell with Port Vale between 1998 and 2004, lifting the Football League Trophy in 2001...
to head home a corner
Corner kick
A corner kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football. It was first devised in Sheffield under the Sheffield Rules 1867...
beyond the helpless Goodlad
Mark Goodlad
Mark Goodlad is a former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Leaving Nottingham Forest for Port Vale in 2000 , he became the Vale's first choice keeper for a number of seasons until he was forced to retire due to injury in 2008...
for a 3rd minute lead.
The tone of the game was set by Vale's dominant five man midfield
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, with Brammer the engine that drove the "Valiants" search for an equalizer as Brentford struggled to keep pace. It was Brammer who made the Vale's intentions clear; sending a long-range strike goal ward, only for it to be deflected wide.
Whereas Burton
Sagi Burton
Osagyefo Lenin Ernesto Burton-Godwin , known commonly as Sagi Burton, is an English-born former Kittitian international football defender...
made the Brentford defence nervous from set pieces, misers Naylor
Tony Naylor
Anthony Joseph Naylor is an English former football player. He is best known for his spells at Port Vale and Crewe Alexandra in the 1990s....
, Brooker
Steve Brooker
Stephen Michael "Steve" Brooker is an English football striker. In a twelve years professional career he has scored 86 goals in 294 games....
and Bridge-Wilkinson
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson is an English footballer who plays for Conference National club Darlington. He is a left-sided midfielder and also a winger, and is known for his goal-scoring ability....
presented the danger from open play. On the 20 minute mark, Naylor pulled back a ball which Bridge-Wilkinson hooked wide. This was to prove their most dangerous movement of the half.
Second half
Not long after the restart Naylor's persistence in front of goal seemed to have paid off, yet he was deemed to be offside – whether the linesmanAssistant referee (association football)
In association football, an assistant referee is one of several officials who assist the referee in controlling a match. Two officials, traditionally known as linesmen , stand on the touchlines, while a fourth official assists administrative or other match related tasks as directed by the referee...
made the right call was a topic of debate.
However Brentford could not rely on help from the officials for long and on the 76th minute, when Powell
Darren Powell
Darren David Powell is an English footballer. He will be a free agent after the expiry of his contract with Milton Keynes Dons on 30 June 2010. He is a centre back.-Football career:...
brought down Naylor on the edge of the area, the referee signalled for a penalty
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
. Bridge-Wilkinson converted, sending Gottskalksson the wrong way.
Seven minutes later and the Burslem
Burslem
The town of Burslem, known as the Mother Town, is one of the six towns that amalgamated to form the current city of Stoke-on-Trent, in the ceremonial county of Staffordshire, in the Midlands of England.-Topography:...
club had the lead; Naylor won the ball from Mahon
Gavin Mahon
Gavin Andrew Mahon is an English footballer who is currently under contract at League One club Notts County.-Career:...
deep in the Brentford half. He squared the ball to Brooker, who struck his shot sweetly, leaving Vale 2–1 up on 83 minutes.
Brentford then piled on the pressure and had numerous late chances; the first falling to substitute McCammon
Mark McCammon
Mark Jason McCammon is an English-born Barbadian international football striker.Starting his career with Cambridge United in 1997, two years later he moved on to Charlton Athletic. In 2000 he was loaned out to Swindon Town, before signing with Brentford. He found regular football at Brentford,...
whose first touch of the game was a poor header that could have found the net if it was well placed. The last kick of the game could have taken it to extra time, however Owusu
Lloyd Owusu
Lloyd Magnus Owusu is a professional footballer who plays for Hayes & Yeading United on loan from Barnet.After a move from non-League Slough Town, his career took off at Brentford, where he scored 64 goals in 163 league games between 1998 and 2002. He then moved to Sheffield Wednesday, and two...
headed wide from Gottskálksson
Ólafur Gottskálksson
Ólafur "Ole" Gottskálksson is a retired Icelandic professional football goalkeeper. He played nine times for Iceland national side and also represented his country at basketball.-Club career:...
's overhead kick – the Brentford goalkeeper doing more than making up the numbers in the Vale box during the last seconds of injury time.
Post-match
The game was one rare glimpse of glory for Port Vale, instead of signalling a return to the happy days they enjoyed under John RudgeJohn Rudge
John Robert Rudge is an English former football player and football manager. He is currently working as the director of football at Stoke City....
it was a rare high point before relegation
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
to League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
in 2007–08
2007–08 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2007–08 season was Port Vale's ninety-sixth season of football in the Football League, and fourth successive season in League One. Vale finished second-from-bottom, and were relegated, some twelve points from safety. Manager Martin Foyle left the club in September, and Lee Sinnott failed to...
. In 2006–07 Brentford finished bottom of League One before being crowned champions of League Two in 2008–09
2008–09 in English football
The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
. They reached the final of the Football League Trophy again in 2011
2011 Football League Trophy Final
The 2011 Football League Trophy Final was the 28th final of the domestic football cup competition for teams from Football Leagues One and Two, the Football League Trophy. The final was played at Wembley Stadium in London on 3 April 2011. The match was contested between Brentford and Carlisle...
, only to lose to Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
.
The trophy was Brian Horton
Brian Horton
Brian Horton is an English former footballer and manager, who is working as Phil Brown's assistant at Preston North End.Horton played for Hednesford Town, Port Vale, Brighton & Hove Albion, Luton Town and Hull City as a midfielder...
's only major honour at Port Vale, his five year reign ended with his resignation in February in 2004, after disagreements with the board over both his contract and the playing budget. After an unsuccessful two years as manager of Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
he joined the staff at Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
, who soon found themselves playing top-flight football. The match was Ray Lewington last in charge at Brentford, he left for Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
, becoming their manager the next year. After being sacked from Watford in 2005 he joined the staff at Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
.
The young Marc Bridge-Wilkinson
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson is an English footballer who plays for Conference National club Darlington. He is a left-sided midfielder and also a winger, and is known for his goal-scoring ability....
continued to impress at Vale Park
Vale Park
Vale Park is a football stadium in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home ground of Port Vale F.C., who have played at the ground since 1950....
and since leaving in 2004 continued to be a player in demand, following the final he spent the next seven seasons in League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
. Steve Brooker
Steve Brooker
Stephen Michael "Steve" Brooker is an English football striker. In a twelve years professional career he has scored 86 goals in 294 games....
also departed in 2004, spending 2004 to 2009 at Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
he also became a top performer in League One. Brentford's Michael Dobson
Michael Dobson (footballer)
Michael Dobson is an English former professional footballer.Dobson came through the youth ranks at Brentford, a club whom his father George had played for, and spent six years at the club, including a couple of years as club captain...
stayed at Griffin Park
Griffin Park
Griffin Park is a football ground situated in the London Borough of Hounslow, west London. It has been the home ground of League One side Brentford since it was built in 1904. It is known for being the only English league football ground to have a pub on each corner, and is situated in a...
until 2006, he played for Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
from 2006 to 2008, leaving the game at the age of 27 to set up his own business. Man of the Match Dave Brammer was voted Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year
Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year
The Port Vale Player of the Year award is voted for annually by Port Vale's supporters in recognition of the best overall performance by an individual player throughout the football season. Towards the end of each season, fans are invited to cast their votes for this award.The inaugural award was...
, and retired in 2009 with 496 competitive appearances to his name.
Match details
| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> | PORT VALE: | ||
| GK | 1 | Mark Goodlad Mark Goodlad Mark Goodlad is a former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Leaving Nottingham Forest for Port Vale in 2000 , he became the Vale's first choice keeper for a number of seasons until he was forced to retire due to injury in 2008... |
|
| DF | 2 | Matt Carragher Matt Carragher Matthew Carragher is a former English footballer who played 362 games over twelve years in the Football League for Wigan Athletic, Port Vale, and Macclesfield Town.-Playing career:... (c) |
|
| DF | 6 |  Sagi BurtonSagi Burton Osagyefo Lenin Ernesto Burton-Godwin , known commonly as Sagi Burton, is an English-born former Kittitian international football defender... |
|
| DF | 5 | Michael Walsh |
|
| MF | 19 | Alex Smith |
|
| MF | 8 | Michael Cummins Michael Cummins Michael Thomas 'Micky' Cummins is an Irish footballer who plays for Gateshead. He has also appeared for the Republic of Ireland under-21 team.... |
|
| MF | 15 | Marc Bridge-Wilkinson Marc Bridge-Wilkinson Marc Bridge-Wilkinson is an English footballer who plays for Conference National club Darlington. He is a left-sided midfielder and also a winger, and is known for his goal-scoring ability.... |
|
| MF | 17 | Neil Brisco Neil Brisco Neil Brisco is an English former footballer. A versatile player, he was comfortable both in defence and in midfield.A former Manchester City trainee, he made his name in a six year spell with Port Vale between 1998 and 2004, lifting the Football League Trophy in 2001... |
|
| MF | 4 | Dave Brammer |
|
| FW | 25 | Steve Brooker Steve Brooker Stephen Michael "Steve" Brooker is an English football striker. In a twelve years professional career he has scored 86 goals in 294 games.... |
|
| FW | 10 | Tony Naylor Tony Naylor Anthony Joseph Naylor is an English former football player. He is best known for his spells at Port Vale and Crewe Alexandra in the 1990s.... |
|
| Substitutes: | |||
| GK | 12 | Dean Delany |
|
| DF | 3 | Allen Tankard Allen Tankard Allen John Tankard is an English former footballer. Noted for his eight years with Port Vale, overall he played 519 games in the Football League.-Playing career:... |
|
| DF | 11 | Tommy Widdrington Tommy Widdrington Thomas "Tommy" Widdrington is an English former footballer, turned football manager, who is the manager of Southern Football League side Hemel Hempstead Town... |
|
| MF | 23 | Michael Twiss Michael Twiss Michael John Twiss is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Conference North side Altrincham.Beginning his career with Manchester United, he enjoyed a loan spell with Sheffield United, without ever making an appearance for the Red Devils. He signed with Port Vale in 2000, moving on... |
|
| FW | 9 |  Ville ViljanenVille Viljanen Ville Viljanen is a former Finnish international footballer.-Playing career:Viljanen moved from Sandarna BK to BK Häcken in 1995, he spent three years at the club and scored 15 goals in 71 games before moving on to Västra Frölunda IF... |
|
| Manager: | |||
| Brian Horton Brian Horton Brian Horton is an English former footballer and manager, who is working as Phil Brown's assistant at Preston North End.Horton played for Hednesford Town, Port Vale, Brighton & Hove Albion, Luton Town and Hull City as a midfielder... |
|||
Ólafur GottskálkssonÓlafur Gottskálksson
Ólafur "Ole" Gottskálksson is a retired Icelandic professional football goalkeeper. He played nine times for Iceland national side and also represented his country at basketball.-Club career:...
Darren PowellDarren Powell
Darren David Powell is an English footballer. He will be a free agent after the expiry of his contract with Milton Keynes Dons on 30 June 2010. He is a centre back.-Football career:...
David TheobaldDavid Theobald
David Theobald is a football defender currently playing for Cambridge City.-Honours:Brentford*Football League Trophy runner-up: 2001-External links:...
Paul GibbsPaul Gibbs
Paul Derek Gibbs is an English former professional footballer.-Career:Gibbs, a left back, began his career at Norwich City as a youngster, followed by an apprenticeship at Scunthorpe United...
Michael DobsonMichael Dobson (footballer)
Michael Dobson is an English former professional footballer.Dobson came through the youth ranks at Brentford, a club whom his father George had played for, and spent six years at the club, including a couple of years as club captain...
Ívar IngimarssonÍvar Ingimarsson
Ívar Ingimarsson , is an Icelandic professional footballer currently playing for Ipswich Town.-Early years:...
Gavin MahonGavin Mahon
Gavin Andrew Mahon is an English footballer who is currently under contract at League One club Notts County.-Career:...
Martin RowlandsMartin Rowlands
Martin Charles Rowlands is an English - born - Irish footballer who plays for Wycombe Wanderers F.C on loan from Queens Park Rangers F.C...
Paul Evans (c) Lloyd OwusuLloyd Owusu
Lloyd Magnus Owusu is a professional footballer who plays for Hayes & Yeading United on loan from Barnet.After a move from non-League Slough Town, his career took off at Brentford, where he scored 64 goals in 163 league games between 1998 and 2002. He then moved to Sheffield Wednesday, and two...
Scott PartridgeScott Partridge
Scott Partridge is an English footballer currently taking time out from football. He is a centre forward noted for his first touch and technique.-Playing career:...
Paul Smith Jay LovettJay Lovett
Jay Lovett is an English football defender and midfielder who plays for Tooting & Mitcham United. He has spent his career playing in league football with Brentford and also non league football in both county level, with Saltdean United, and in national level where he has played for the majority of...
Tony FolanTony Folan
Anthony "Tony" Folan was an Irish footballer during the 1990s and 2000s. He representedRepublic of Ireland at every level up to Under 21's and "B"....
Mark WilliamsMark Williams (footballer born 1982)
Mark Williams is a former English footballer who played as a midfielder.He started his career at Brentford and spent three seasons in the first-team, making most of his appearances as a substitute. He then moved to Barnet but was released after one season. He then played in Singapore before his...
Mark McCammonMark McCammon
Mark Jason McCammon is an English-born Barbadian international football striker.Starting his career with Cambridge United in 1997, two years later he moved on to Charlton Athletic. In 2000 he was loaned out to Swindon Town, before signing with Brentford. He found regular football at Brentford,...
Ray LewingtonMATCH RULES
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