Rotherham Utd 1-1 (5-3 pens) Port Vale: battling Valiants exit the Football League Trophy after shootout
Rotherham Utd 1-1 Port Vale: David Amoo’s last-gasp goal saw Vale take League One Rotherham to a dramatic penalty shootout which the home side won 5-3.
As expected, Vale boss Darrell Clarke made several changes to his starting line-up including starts for goalkeeper Aidan Stone, veteran Leon Legge and forward Dennis Politic.
The home side largely dominated the opening 45 minutes with the Valiants grateful for a good save from Stone who tipped Kayode’s shot wide. There was also a crucial header from Legge later in the half which again prevented a potential goal.
Despite being put under the cosh at times, Vale still had chances. The best came when Tom Conlon freed Devante Rodney and his cross was met by defender Nathan Smith who blazed over.
Half-time: Rotherham Utd 0-0 Port Vale
There was an early chance for the home side in the second-half but Stone responded well to block Kayode’s shot. Rotherham piled on the pressure with Rathbone curling a drive wide. Vale responded with a shot from Politic which went just wide. Minutes later, another shot from Politic drew a good save from the home keeper.
However, the home side took the lead on 56 minutes. It took a good finish from sub Michael Smith who swept home Sadlier’s right wing cross. As the game opened up, Conlon forced a save from the keeper. There was an even better chance for Devante Rodney as he broke clear but he sent his shot well wide.
The Valiants then made multiple changes on the hour mark including a return to the first-team for midfielder Scott Burgess. There was a chance for fellow sub Amoo who was unmarked as Cass played him in but his shot hit the keeper and went just wide. There continued to be chances for Vale as Amoo headed Burgess’ cross wide and Nathan Smith had a shot blocked.
The home side also had chances at the end of the game as Vale’s defence was stretched but managed to hold firm. They were to regret those missed chances as subs Mal Benning and David Amoo combined for Amoo to draw Vale level on 88 minutes. Rotherham still had a chance to win it but Sadlier somehow missed an open goal with a header. In a thrilling end, Vale then almost snatched it as a deflected clearance nearly beat the Rtherham keeper but in the end it went to a penalty shootout.
Full-time: Rotherham Utd 1-1 Port Vale
In the shootout, it was David Amoo who was the unlucky fall guy as his penalty was saved to give the home side a 5-3 shootout win.
Penalty shootout (5-3 Rotherham)
- Rotherham scored – 1-0
- Tom Conlon scored – 1-1
- Rotherham scored – 2-1
- Brad Walker scored – 2-2
- Rotherham scored – 3-2
- Devante Rodney scored – 3-3
- Rotherham scored – 4-3
- David Amoo saved – 4-3
- Rotherham scored – 5-3
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Match stats
Port Vale: Stone; Smith, Legge (Amos), Johnson (Martin); Cass, Garrity (Burgess), Walker, Conlon, D. Jones (Benning); Rodney, Politic (Amoo)
Subs: Covolan, E. Jones
Port Vale bookings:
Attendance: 1,560 (148 away)