Match report: Crawley 1-3 Port Vale
Port Vale recorded a welcome opening day win thanks to debut goals from Tonge and Kay and a first senior goal for Dan Turner.
Michael Brown named seven debutants in his starting line-out while Tom Pope returned upfront.
The match began in niggling fashion before Vale took the lead on nine minutes through Michael Tonge’s deflected drive.
The Valiants were looking very comfortable and doubled their lead on the half-hour mark when captain Anthony Kay headed in Tonge’s free-kick.
Brown brought on Dan Turner for Montana at the break but the home side started the second period brightly and Boldewjyn netted on 50 minutes to have the deficit. That goal sparked Crawley into life as they pressed the Vale defence.
With twenty five minutes left, Billy Reeves replaced Tonge but the home side still enjoyed most of the chances in the closing stages. However, resilient Vale held firm and snatched a third with Dan Turner’s first-ever senior goal on 82 minutes.
It was a good away win and encouraging to open the season with three points away from home.
Vale: Lainton, Wilson, Smith, Kay, Gunning
, Montano ( Turner 45), Pugh, Tonge ( Reeves 65), De Freitas, Harness, PopeSubs: Hornby, Pyke, Whitfield, Forrester
Attendance: 2,270