Exeter City 1 Port Vale 1

Wednesday 21 April 1993.

Referee:

Att: 7060

Autoglass Trophy Southern Area final second leg.

Port Vale win 3-2 on aggregate, and go through to the final at Wembley, where they beat Stockport County 2-1.

Slaven heaven as Bernie books a Wembley ticket!
By Chris Harper

WHATEVER it cost Vale to lure Bernie Slaven from Middlesbrough a month ago was probably repaid in full last night. The master poacher struck the golden goal that takes the club on their first lucrative trip to Wembley in their 117-year history. Vale needed only a draw to reach the Autoglass Trophy final but all was not well until the seasoned Eire international became the hero of the hour. Exeter had nosed in front and were threatening to make life even more uncomfortable when Slaven grabbed the equaliser. Manager John Rudge, maintaining his cool amid all the excitement at the final whistle, said: "If you wanted anyone to be in that position it would be Bernie Slaven." To use a "Rudgeism" the game was never a classic. Said the Vale boss: "It was a struggle. I had the feeling the lads were anxious. "When we went a goal behind on the hour we had to respond quickly and, in the end, we got the result- and that's all that mattered. "Their goal was not the best we have conceded but Bernie Slaven managed to get us back on level terms and put us through in the tie. "On a night like this all you are looking for is to get the result and the lads have managed to do that - and I am proud of them." It was Rudge's wife's birthday so the day that Vale qualified for Wembley will live long in the family memory bank. The Vale boss elected to field an unchanged team following the 4-0 win at Wigan four days earlier with one important tactical change. Andy Porter switched from rightback to left in a bid to tame the menace of Exeter winger John Hodge and he largely succeeded. Hodge did whip over the cross that led to the Exeter goal, but Porter played a part in creating the leveller and, once again, he did not let the side down. Exeter's depleted forces -they were without five first teamers, seemed a little overawed in the early stages as Vale dominated possession without looking particularly menacing. Both sides employed the same formation which tended to overload the competitive midfield area with the result that openings were few and far between. Paul Musselwhite hardly touched the ball until claiming a corner kick midway through the first half and while it suited Vale to be on level terms their tally by the interval of one effort on target summed up their struggle. Exeter were no better. They also mustered one goal attempt but Vale were grateful to Dean Glover for hoofing the ball to safety after Eamonn Dolan had knocked back a far post cross by Steve Moran. Slaven cut inside to rifle a right footer over the bar on the restart but it was Exeter who made the break- through after an hour to put the cat among the pigeons. Hodge's left footed cross from the right touchline picked out Dolan at the back post and when Musselwhite could only parry the close range header Leonard followed up to force the ball over the line. Exeter's substitution of teenager Martin Phillips for the veteran Moran gave the home side two wide men to prevent Kent and Porter from getting forward. Vale, too, made a change on 67 minutes with Martin Foyle replacing Nicky Cross and six minutes later they were on level terms Porter launched the attack in which Van der Laan and Foyle also played their part with Slaven finally darting through to calmly steer his shot wide of the keeper. Referee Gifford played almost five minutes of added time before the Vale's 1,300 plus following could begin the party.
Vale at Wembley?
Remarkable, but well deserved.

Exeter City 1 Port Vale 1

(Vale win 3-2 on aggregate)

EXETER: Miller, Harris, McIntyre, Bailey, Daniels, Brown, Bond, Leonard, Moran (Phillips, 57), Dolan, Hodge. Sub not used: Tonge.

PORT VALE: Musselwhite, Aspin, Porter, Kent, Swan, Glover, Slaven, Van der Laan, Cross (Foyle, 67), Kerr, Taylor. Sub not used: Mathie.

Referee: R Gifford (Mid Glamorgan).

Attendance 7060.

Bookings:
Mcintyre (Exeter); Kerr (Vale).

Shots/ headers on target:
Exeter 3, Port Vale 2.
Corners: Exeter 6, Port Vale 5.