Match Report: Port Vale 4-2 Liverpool B (FLT 10th Nov)
Harry McKirdy and Alex Hurst both scored their first goals for Port Vale as the Valiants won an entertaining Football League Trophy game against Liverpool’s B side.
Manager John Askey made eight changes from the side which lost on Saturday with the likes of Harry McKirdy, Dino Visser and Alex Hurst all earning a start. Youth teamer Eden Bailey was named on the bench.
Liverpool took a shock lead on ten minutes when Bradley took advantage of a Montano slip to set up Miller who blasted the ball into the net. The lead lasted just sixty seconds though as Harry McKirdy crossed for Mark Cullen to head home.
Vale then took the lead seven minutes later when Cullen set up Alex Hurst who drove home for his first-ever senior goal for the club. The Valiants could have been well in front in the first-half as Cullen went clear but forced a save, then the striker hit the woodwork and there was also a brilliant double save from Liverpool keeper Jaros.
The dangerous Liam Miller made Vale pay for those missed chances when he cut in and scored from the edge of the box on 34 minutes. It was due reward for the Reds striker who looked the visitor’s most dangerous player.
Vale had another chance just before the break when the busy Hurst burst clear but he lost his balance and his shot went over. It was an action packed half and from an attacking perspective Vale impressed with the likes of Hurst, Cullen and McKirdy all prominent. But there were worrying issues at the back with some misplaced passes and poor communication causing anxious moments.
John Askey made a double change at the break with Joyce and Conlon coming on for Oyeleke and Burgess in central midfield. Vale enjoyed a good start to the second period with McKirdy prominent. However, the best chance went to visitors as there was chaos in the Vale box but no Liverpool player could apply a finish as the ball went loose in the area. On the hour mark, Askey’s side made the visitors pay for that miss as McKirdy scored a deserved goal – his first in Port Vale colours – to put the home side back in front.
On 63 minutes, the Valiants made the game as safe as sub Devante Rodney scored just moments after coming on. Rodney’s low shot from the edge of the box beat keeper Jaros who perhaps could have done better. Liverpool could have pulled one back on 75 minutes but O’Rourke’s tame shot failed to trouble Visser.
The impressive McKirdy picked up a knock but was able to carry on and Cullen almost netted again from close range. Sub Rodney also went close with a free-kick as Vale looked to add to their tally late on. However, there were no more goals and an entertaining evening ended with a comfortable Vale victory.
It was a decent response to the FA Cup exit from a much changed Port Vale team. While John Askey is unlikely to make wholesale changes on the strength of a win against Liverpool’s youngsters, the likes of Hurst, Cullen and McKirdy did their chances no harm with their performances.
So, Vale are at least still in one cup – and it will be the Football League Trophy knockout stages next for the Valiants.
Port Vale: Visser, Smith, Brisley, Crookes, Montano, McKirdy, Burgess (Conlon), Oyeleke (Joyce), Hurst, Cullen, Robinson (Rodney)
Subs: Brown, Legge, Worrall, Bailey