Port Vale 1-2 Sunderland match report – Proctor scores as Valiants exit the League Cup
Striker Jamie Proctor scored on his first start for the club as Port Vale lost at home to League One side Sunderland in the first round of the League Cup.
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Darrell Clarke made a number of changes from the side which lost at Northampton including first starts for Mal Benning, Ben Garrity and Jamie Proctor. There was also a welcome return for James Gibbons who made the bench and of course supporters who were making their long awaited return to a competitive game at Vale Park.
In a frenetic opening period, there was plenty of action but few clear-cut chances. Vale had half chances for Benning and Wilson before the visitors found the target through Hawkes on 36 minutes. Moments later, Vale had claims for a penalty but they were waved away.
In the early stages of the second-half, the visitors looked to have sealed the game. Aidan Stone conceded a penalty just two minutes into the second period, despite Vale protests of a dive. Aiden O’Brien made no mistake from the spot-kick.
Just after the hour mark, Vale made two changes and switched to a 4-4-2 formation with an immediate result. Great work by David Worrall set up Jamie Proctor to net his first goal for the club from close range.
Vale were on top but their momentum was halted when a floodlight went off causing a delay in the game. During the delay, youngster Eden Bailey came on for his senior debut.
When play resumed, David Worrall went close to an equaliser but his shot was saved by the keeper. In the closing moments of normal time, Vale looked to have earned a penalty of their own but the referee instead booked Amoo for a dive. A tremendous save then denied Proctor a second in the dying seconds. Vale continued to push in added-on time but were unable to find that crucial equaliser as they exited the League Cup at the first round stage.
Full-time: Port Vale 1-2 Sunderland
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Match stats
Port Vale: Stone; Smith, Legge, Jones (Cass 65); Worrall, Pett, Garrity, Walker (Amoo 65), Benning; Proctor, Wilson (Baily 75)
Subs: Hurst, Johnson, Martin, Gibbons
Attendance:
Port Vale bookings: Worrall, Walker