Colchester United vs Port Vale. Sky Bet League Two.
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Colchester 1-1 Port Vale: Luke Norris earns hosts point in opening game
Saturday 3 August 2019 20:13, UK
Luke Norris earned Colchester a point following a closely-contested 1-1 draw with Port Vale.
Vale made the perfect start, taking a fifth-minute lead through Tom Pope, who scored from the penalty spot after Tom Lapslie fouled the impressive Manny Oyeleke in the box.
Colchester pressed for an equaliser after that, with Valiants goalkeeper Scott Brown twice denying Frank Nouble and also saving from Cohen Bramall.
David Amoo's glancing header from David Worrall's cross flew inches wide for Vale before Colchester levelled just before half-time through Norris, who pounced to score from close range after Luke Prosser had headed Jevani Brown's pass into his path.
The second half proved a somewhat less eventful affair, with Brown's fierce shot flying just over for the U's while at the other end, keeper Dean Gerken did well to prevent Kane Vincent-Young from scoring an own goal.
Colchester almost won it in the closing stages when Luke Gambin was denied by Brown and Oyeleke went close for Vale, but the points were shared.
