Vale don’t want it to end

Even Jez Robin, the Rovers coach, admits it’s a tough game to call and one which should draw a good sized crowd to the Track for what is the penultimate ‘biggie’ in a long drawn out campaign.

And while some teams, such as semi-final losers St Martin’s, seem eager for a rest, Jody Bisson’s Vale side give the impression that they cannot get enough football at present.

The cup holders were highly impressive in thrashing Saints 5-0 at Northfield and it could quite easily have been seven or eight.

Seb Skillen, newly returned from the Green Lions, showed his quality at this lower level and helped himself to a hat-trick, but it was the overall balance and slickness of Vale’s play that impressed to such an extent that you wondered how on earth the side had not mounted a serious challenge for the league title.

Bisson, of all people, knows why.

It’s called consistency of selection and availability, plus a goal threat that despite Dave Cusack’s improvement is so often missing from their game.

As for the semi-final performance, the player-coach said: ‘It was just enjoyable to watch and it extends our season for another 90 minutes.’

In the Rovers’ camp the firepower is provided by their inspiring Madeiran, Carlos Canha, whose two goals at the Track last week downed an unlucky Vale 3-1 in the Stranger Cup.

Canha has often been the difference for Rovers this season and it was no different a week ago when Vale had him at the spearhead of their attack and on the end of a succession of clearcut chances, the Yellows would have sailed through to another final.

As for tomorrow’s game, Rovers, who struggled to get past their clubmates Geomarine in the semi-finals, probably still hold the advantage in terms of strike power.

Will Fazakerley will be expected to ruffle the collective calm of central defensive duo Damian Larkin and Matt Ozanne, and there is always Dale Webb to consider, even if it is only off the bench.

But Vale may well have the upper hand in midfield where the Moriarty-Rumens-Skillen axis, plus Jacques Wilcox and Jack Smith working off them, proved far too elusive for an admittedly lazy St Martin’s to handle.

Wilcox lost nothing in quality to the established seniors against Saints, his touch and availability on the left flank causing problems throughout.

The club’s U18s captain may lack speed, but there is nothing slow about his thinking and a good future awaits.

Bisson, too, praised the youngster’s performance.

‘He’s deceptively strong on the ball – very cultured. He’s a player I do like.

‘He works hard and is selfless with his work rate.’