Port Vale 3-2 Leyton Orient: dramatic finish nets Vale all three points
Port Vale 3-2 Leyton Orient: a stunning finish saw Vale snatch victory from the jaws of defeat as they won a five goal thriller.
What did you think of the Port Vale performance? Share your thoughts, scroll down and post a comment at the end of the article.
Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke named an unchanged starting eleven after the side’s run of three straight wins.
It was a scrappy start in slippery conditions, before Vale took an early lead through a well worked goal. Ben Garrity won the ball and fed James Gibbons. His cross found Jamie Proctor whose header back was converted at close range by James Wilson for his second of the season. It put the home side ahead after just six minutes.
Jamie Proctor could have put the Valiants 3-0 up in the next fifteen minutes Firstly, he was fed by Lewis Cass’ run and cross but put his header wide and then fired wide when Garrity’s cross found him unmarked in the box.
Strike partner James Wilson also went close when he was found by the impressive Garrity. Captain Tom Conlon put a free-kick just wide and there was even a thunderous effort from James Gibbons.
In contrast, the visitors were restricted to a couple of half chances for Pratley and Smith while their defence looked increasingly ragged as it was put under pressure from constant Port Vale attacks.
It had been an excellent first-half display by the Valiants who had controlled the game for long periods. The team were good value for their lead and could arguably have had more.
Half-time: Port Vale 1-0 Leyton Orient
There was early pressure from the visitors in the second period and the Valiants were dealt an early blow when Garrity was forced off through injury. In marked contrast to the opening 45 minutes, Orient were the better side and they equalised on the hour mark when a low cross was diverted into goal by Dan Jones for an own-goal.
Vale were struggling to take back control of the game until the arrival of sub David Amoo, whose pace started to cause the visitors problems. However, the sub missed two good chances that fell his way and Vale were to rue those misses as a long range effort from Tom James beat Covolan with five minutes left on the clock. Objects appeared to be thrown on the pitch by Vale fans, for which there are no excuses, but Orient striker Harry Smith then proceeded to the home fans up even more with some childish behaviour.
Darrell Clarke responded by bringing on Dennis Politic for his first action of the season and the sub showed his quality with a thumping finish in stoppage time to put Vale level. In an astonishing finish, Worrall then found Jamie Proctor and he found the net to hand Vale all three points.
It was a dramatic end to the game and one that continues Port Vale’s fine recent run.
Full-time: Port Vale 3-2 Leyton Orient
What did you think of the Port Vale performance? Share your thoughts, scroll down and post a comment at the end of the article.
Match stats
Port Vale: Covolan; Cass, Smith, Jones; Worrall, Garrity (Taylor), Pett, Conlon, Gibbons (Politic); Proctor, Wilson (Amoo)
Subs: Stone, Benning, Lloyd, Johnson
Port Vale bookings: Smith, Taylor
Attendance: 5,667 (317 visitors)