Port Vale goalkeeper Connor Ripley added to his growing reputation for penalty saves by stopping Fejiri Okenabirhie’s 90th-minute spot-kick to earn his side a 1-1 draw at Cambridge.
Okenabirhie had the chance to win the game for the U’s from 12 yards after Jack Lankester had been fouled in the box by Nathan Smith, but the striker saw his effort blocked by Ripley, who saved five of the six penalties he faced playing for Morecambe last season.
Vale boss Andy Crosby said: “He’s got a reputation for saving penalties, and it’s credit to the work that goes on with the analysts off the pitch, and to the decision Connor has made on it.
He continued: “Overall I think it’s a good point earned away from home. We had good control in the first half and created chances, but the over-riding emotion is that we weren’t clinical enough in either box.
“We had the chances to take the game away from Cambridge.”
The visitors could have hit the front after three minutes, but Ethan Chislett’s shot deflected wide off team-mate James Wilson when the former AFC Wimbledon midfielder looked certain to score.
Chislett was involved when his side took a 20th-minute lead, supplying a precise through ball for Ben Garrity, who buried his effort past Will Mannion.
Sullay Kaikai had a header tipped over by Ripley as Cambridge tried to respond, and in the second half Danny Andrew saw a low effort canon back off the post.
Manager Mark Bonner made a treble substitution in the 62nd minute, and was rewarded four minutes later when two of his replacements combined for the equaliser, with John-Kymani Gordon supplying the cross for Okenabirhie to head in his fourth league goal of the season.
A poor backpass by Liam Bennett presented Gavin Massey with a chance to put Vale back in front soon afterwards, but Mannion stood up well to save his shot.
Then came the late drama, with Ripley making himself the hero.
Cambridge’s Bonner said: “It’s frustrating because it feels like we’ve lost a chance to win the game, but overall I think the point is a fair one. They’ve had chances, but I love the way we played in the second half and the opportunities we created.
“We have to respect and take the point because we didn’t get enough draws last season.”
On Okenabirhie’s penalty, Bonner added: “He’s a brilliant penalty taker, who has been really reliable this season and scored a couple already. I’m sure he’ll take the next one when he’s on the pitch and score it, because it’s a real strength of his. It was a whisker away from a brilliant turnaround but it wasn’t to be.”
[(Racing Club de Avellaneda) Strength]: 1. Racing Club de Avellaneda lost their first encounter 0-1, so they cannot afford any loss this time and must go all out to win, fully motivated.2. In the last domestic league game, Adrian Balboa performed well and scored the first goal to put the team ahead.3. Racing Club de Avellaneda scored 5 goals and conceded 5 in the last 5 games with good performance...
[(Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) Strength]: 1. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors performed stably across all competitions this season. Since April, the team have remained unbeaten in the last 20 matches.2. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors scored at halftime in 4 consecutive games, getting into form quickly on offense.3. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors scored at least 2 goals per game in 5 consecutive matches, showing strong attack.4....
[(Velez Sarsfield) Strength]: 1. During their first encounter, Velez Sarsfield played a goalless draw. In this home game, they vow to grab a win and advance, with full motivation.2. Braian Romero withstood the pressure in the last game and scored a penalty in the final moment, helping the team seal a last-gasp victory.3. Velez Sarsfield defeated Club Atletico Independiente 2-1 in the last game, wh...
[(Ferencvaros) Strength]: 1. Ferencvaros are motivated to win this home game and take the lead in advancing.2. Cadu scored a goal in the last game, once helping the team tie the game.3. Ferencvaros received 3 wins and 1 loss in the last 4 home games, revealing outstanding home performances.4. Ferencvaros scored 11 goals and conceded 3 in the last 5 games, boasting excellent attack and solid defens...
[(Gwangju FC) Strength]: 1. The first leg of the Semi-finals will see Gwangju FC play at home first. They hope to grab the advantage, with full motivation.2. Gwangju FC forward Reis scored twice in the last game, being in good form.3. Gwangju FC performed well and scored a 2-0 win over Daejeon Hana Citizen in hte last game, thus getting back on the winning ways.4. AH market provided home team a -1...
[(FC Machida Zelvia) Strength]: 1. In the last league game, Korean internationals Oh Se Hun and Na Sang Ho both scored in open play, showing decent performances.2. This game is FC Machida Zelvia's fourth consecutive home game, which is in favor of them.3. FC Machida Zelvia won 3-0 over Cerezo Osaka in the last league game, securing a 10-game winning streak across all competitions.4. FC Machida Zel...
[(Crvena Zvezda) Strength]: 1. Crvena Zvezda vow to win this home game in order to grab the advancing advantage, with full motivation.2. Aleksandar Katai performed very well in the last domestic league game. He scored a hat-trick in a win for the team.3. Crvena Zvezda defeated Mladost Lucani 4-1 in the last domestic league game. They achieved 7 wins and 1 draw in the last 8 games, being in red-hot...
[(Sao Paulo FC) Strength]: 1. Sao Paulo FC drew with Atletico Nacional in the first leg on the road. They will advance to the next round if they win this round at home, indicating full motivation to win.2. Sao Paulo FC signed Serie A team Atalanta BC captain Rafael Toloi recently. He is expected to make his debut in this match.3. Sao Paulo FC drew 2-2 with Sport Club do Recife in the last league g...
[(Chengdu Rongcheng FC) Strength]: 1. Chengdu Rongcheng FC drew 0-0 with Qingdao Hainiu F.C. in the last Chinese Super League, ending their winning streak. However, the team were unbeaten with 5 wins and 1 draw in the last 6 games, showing commendable performances.2. Chengdu Rongcheng FC scored 12 goals in the last 5 home games, revealing outstanding attack at home.3. Chengdu Rongcheng FC are now ...
[(Sanfrecce Hiroshima) Strength]: 1. Sanfrecce Hiroshima have achieved 14 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses in the league so far this season. They have scored 30 goals and conceded 18 goals in 26 league matches, and currently rank 5th in the league standings. The team will play at home in this game and have a strong desire to win.2. Naoto Arai, the main defender of Sanfrecce Hiroshima, has performed stea...


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