Tranmere Rovers 3-1 Port Vale match report

Tranmere Rovers 3-1 Port Vale : Jake Taylor’s first goal since returning was in vain as Port Vale were comfortably beaten by Tranmere Rovers on Saturday afternoon.

Interim Vale manager Danny Pugh made two changes with Zak Mills and Adam Crookes starting.

After an even opening period, it was the home side who almost took the lead on twelve minutes. A corner saw Peter Clarke head the ball to Danny Lloyd who rattled the woodwork. However, it wasn’t long before Tranmere did take the lead. On sixteen minutes, Jay Spearing sent Kaiyne Woolery clear and he beat Scott Brown to open the scoring.

The Valiants had a handful of half chances from Guthrie and Conlon before Nathan Smith missed a decent chance as he missed his header from Worrall’s cross.

On 29 minutes, Rovers doubled their lead when Mills lost the ball and the lively Woolery played the ball into James Vaughan who was given space to turn and smash the ball past Brown. Vale could have been three down within minutes but Brown made a good save from Vaughan.

There was a lifeline for Vale just before the break when Jake Taylor netted his first goal since rejoining. A Scott Brown long ball was headed by Worrall to Taylor who netted from the edge of the box.

The home side started the second-half in lively fashion and Brown made another fine save from Vaughan. Vale had a rare chance when good work from Montano and Rodney set up Guthrie but the Tranmere keeper saved well.

On 58 minutes, Tranmere made the game safe when Feeney’s shot was saved by Brown but Vaughan was first to the rebound to rifle home.

There was still time for some poor decisions from the referee. Firstly, Spearing’s full-blooded challenge on Hurst saw his trailing leg catch the diminutive winger but the only player booked was Montano for complaining. Then Clarke dragged down Guthrie and the Vale striker was booked. Nothing was going right for the Valiants.

The match official infuriated coach Frank Sinclair who was booked for his complaints and Sinclair’s mood wouldn’t have been helped when subs Will Swan and Alex Hurst both looked to have been fouled in the box late on but no penalties were given. However, Tranmere had the best chance in the final moments when the impressive Woolery forced a fine save out of Brown.

To be fair to Tranmere, they looked a quality outfit and deserved winners. Veterans Jay Spearing and James Vaughan are class acts in League Two and Kaiyne Woolery caused the Vale defence problems all game. If it hadn’t been for keeper Scott Brown arguably the score would have been more. It’s back to the drawing room for the shotshy Valiants who must learn to create more chances in the box.

Full-time: Tranmere Rovers 3-1 Port Vale