Not even 'Le God' could save struggling Vale

St Martin's 2, Vale Rec 0

RAY BLONDEL and Colin Renouf are just too diplomatic to say what they really thought of a game as a result of which Saints stay on the coat-tails of title-favourites North. Both men played in some Vale-Saints blockbusters in their heyday. Compared to some of those tempestuous games involving two sets of very talented players, Saturday's encounter at Blanche Pierre Lane was enough to have the diehards contemplating a new sporting pastime - perhaps freshwater fishing.

The action on the banks of the St Saviour's reservoir was probably as exciting and Blondel was happy to admit afterwards it was not a classic.

Vale cannot wait for the season to end, as their list of absentees grows by the week.

The yellows have lost more than an entire XI from those available in last year's championship-winning season.

Ten minutes from the end assistant coach Kevin Le Tissier was seen talking on his mobile phone, which prompted the question whether he was putting in an SOS call to his brother, Matt 'Le God', at the Sky Sports studios?

But not even Matt could turnaround Vale's season, such is their list of absentees caused by players transferring - Trim Morgan and Danny Bisson - travelling the world (several) and injuries.

Their coach was, though, taking it all in his stride and moments after the final whistle gathered them around in the centre of the pitch to tell them how proud he was of a squad which included young goalkeeper Tim Nicolle and debutant Phil Hooper, a Youth One player.

'With what we had out there I was really pleased.

'We made two mistakes and they punished us.

'But they dug in and they tried which is all I can ask,' said Blondel.

Saints, who had a few absentees themselves, had the game won by half-time.

Steve Concanen shot them ahead after 25min., toe-poking home from 10 yards after Vale failed to clear Kevin Gilligan's corner.

Eight minutes later it was 2-0.

Dominic Heaume latched onto Pierre Jehan's low ball dissecting the Vale centre-backs and the striker calmly picked his spot to Nicolle's right.

Other than Heaume heading against the crossbar after good aerobatics by Jan Renouf, there was not much to remember from a dire game played on a pitch still drying out after the January deluges. Vale's best chance fell to Jamie Blondel who volleyed a snap shot just over.