Port Vale 0 Harrogate Town 0: Advertiser player ratings

Harrogate Town's third League Two outing ended in stalemate at Port Vale.
Will Smith impressed once again as Harrogate Town drew 0-0 at Port Vale. Pictures: Matt KirkhamWill Smith impressed once again as Harrogate Town drew 0-0 at Port Vale. Pictures: Matt Kirkham
Will Smith impressed once again as Harrogate Town drew 0-0 at Port Vale. Pictures: Matt Kirkham

Here's an assessment of how Simon Weaver's players performed during Saturday's goalless draw with the Valiants.

Joe Cracknell 7 - Kicking was poor and he almost landed his side in trouble on a couple of occasions. He did however play his part in shutting out Vale, confidently claiming a couple of crosses to take the pressure off his back-four while handling tidily throughout. Back-to-back clean-sheets now.

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Ryan Fallowfield 7 - One excellent cross that almost teed-up Aaron Martin aside, he might be a bit disappointed with his deliveries into the box. Didn't do too much wrong defensively, though Vale were twice able to launch dangerous, late counter-attacks down his side of the pitch with Town's right-back caught high up the field.

George Thomson gets on the ball at Vale Park.George Thomson gets on the ball at Vale Park.
George Thomson gets on the ball at Vale Park.

Will Smith 8 - ADVERTISER STAR MAN. Narrowly edged out his centre-back partner Connor Hall for the man of the match award. Dominant aerially, stepped in and won the ball before carrying it out of defence on a number of occasions and also made two key second-half blocks. Been consistently excellent this term.

Connor Hall 8 - Read the game very well, while winning his fair share in the air. Twice came to his side's rescue with important covering challenges that he had to time to perfection - and did. His partnership with Smith continues to blossom.

Warren Burrell 7 - Solid enough at left-back once again. Was up against a tricky customer in David Worrall, who did cause Town a few moments of concern, but Burrell did okay on the whole.

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George Thomson 6 - Set-pieces were a mixed bag, though a couple of good corner deliveries should have been finished off. Linked nicely with Fallowfield down the right at times without really being able to influence proceedings.

Mark Beck tries to divert the ball towards goal under pressure from Leon Legge.Mark Beck tries to divert the ball towards goal under pressure from Leon Legge.
Mark Beck tries to divert the ball towards goal under pressure from Leon Legge.

Josh Falkingham 8 - Showed all his experience with an excellent performance in the engine room. Tracked back to good effect, making some key interventions on the edge of his own area, while using his body cleverly to draw fouls. Couldn't unlock the Vale defence, but still passed the ball well.

Lloyd Kerry 6 - Town were outnumbered in the centre of the park and Kerry wasn't as influential in possession as he has been in his previous outings this term. Still put in a typically determined shift, however.

Brendan Kiernan 7 - There were glimpses of promise down the left where his willingness to run at defenders provided a useful outlet. Got into an excellent position courtesy of one rapid burst forward, only for referee Ben Toner to curtail the attack by awarding Vale a free-kick. Just needs to improve on the final ball.

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Aaron Martin 7 - His intelligent near-post run and fine glancing header almost broke the deadlock on 36 minutes and he looked Harrogate's biggest threat. Competed well and tried to put himself about before once again fading during the closing stages.

Mark Beck 6 - Nodded one decent chance from a Thomson corner wide and didn't offer much in the first half. Looked much better in the early stages of the second period, winning plenty in the air before then being substituted.

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