Port Vale 2-1 Gillingham match report
Port Vale 2-1 Gillingham: Port Vale put on a stirring second-half comeback as loan striker Alex Jones continued his recent scoring streak with the winner at Vale Park.
Manager Bruno Ribeiro named the same Port Vale starting eleven but initially it looked to be a mistake as the Valiants laboured in vain in the first-half. Striker Martin Paterson was left isolated and Gills keyman Bradley Dack became increasingly influential as the away side dominated the first-half.
It was Dack who set up the opening goal although it was doubtful whether he meant the scuffed corner that was converted at close-range.
Vale came back into the game in the second period with Remie Streete’s free-kick shaking the post and the Gills keeper pulling off a number of fine saves. But central defender Streete was not to be denied as once again Bond pulled off a fine save from a Vale shot and Streete was on hand to fire the ball home.
Midfield enforcer Anthony Grant then forced Bond into another great save before that man Alex Jones kept his cool to control the ball and drill it into the corner to complete Port Vale’s comeback.
It was a fine last thirty minutes by Vale. Anthony Grant had put on a fine show as had Nathan Smith and Remie Streete but it was arguably the introduction of Rigino Cicilia and Gezim Shalaj and the decision to move Jones inside to partner Cicilia in the middle that changed the game.
The result puts Port Vale into the play-off places and it was probably that all the home fans leaving the ground had a smile on their face after yet another impressive three points at Vale Park. It has been an encouraging run by the club under Bruno Ribeiro.
Full-time: Port Vale 2-1 Gillingham