Port Vale 3-1 Barrow: second-half goals inspire Vale comeback win
Port Vale 3-1 Barrow: three second-half goals capped a fine Port Vale comeback against Barrow on Saturday afternoon.
Image: Scorer of the third goal, Mal Benning
Manager Darrell Clarke named the same starting eleven that were defeated by Sutton United last weekend and the two sides cancelled each other out in the opening half-hour. The first real chance arrived on 33 minutes and the visitors took full advantage as Ollie Banks’ free-kick proved too powerful for goalkeeper Lucas Covolan. Arguably the Vale keeper should have done better.
That goal proved to be the difference at half-time and Clarke made changes a the break which soon had an effect.
Half-time: Port Vale 0-1 Barrow
Firstly, sub Dennis Politic produced a sharp turn and pacy run into the box which he capped with a finish from a sharp angle to put Vale level on 50 minutes. Five minutes later, the Valiants had turned the game around. David Worrall surged into the box and his powerful cross was turned into the net by a Barrow defender.
The Valiants had further chances for James Wilson and Tom Conlon before the visitors pushed in the closing stages. However, Vale made it safe with a third from impressive sub Mal Benning. His 84th minute drive rattled the post before the left-back followed up to hit the ball into the net. That proved to be the last significant action as Vale recorded a win which takes them to third place in the League Two table.
There were some solid performances from Dan Jones and Nathan Smith in the Vale defence but the form of Lucas Covolan will no doubt prompt debate. There were also promising displays by subs Dennis Politic and Mal Benning who both impressed. It was a fine way for Vale to bounce back from their agonising defeat to Sutton last Saturday.
Full-time: Port Vale 3-1 Barrow
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Match stats
Port Vale: Covolan; Cass (Benning), Smith, Jones; Worrall, Pett, Garrity, Conlon, Gibbons (Martin); Wilson, Proctor (Politic)
Subs: Stone, Taylor, Amoo, Walker
Vale bookings: none
Attendance: 5,951