Port Vale 1-0 Scunthorpe Utd: captain Smith steadies the ship for the Valiants
Port Vale 1-0 Scunthorpe Utd: a 72nd minute tap-in from captain Nathan Smith earned Port Vale their first victory of 2022.
Manager Darrell Clarke handed a debut to loan keeper Tomas Holy while David Worrall returned to the starting eleven, New signings Joel Cooper and Harry Charsley were on the bench.
In a scrappy opening, not helped by blustery conditions, Vale had the better chances. First, Kian Harratt slipped when sent clear and then James Wilson had a shot blocked. Harratt went even closer on eighteen minutes when his shot following a short corner routine hit the woodwork.
Scunthorpe had a chance for Taft on 25 minutes before more opportunities for the Valiants. However, Worrall miskicked from close range and Harratt had a shot blocked as it finished goalless at the break.
Half-time: Port Vale 0-0 Scunthorpe Utd
Vale started the second period brightly with Brad Walker hitting the side netting from close range and Wilson having a shot blocked after a mazy run. Wilson then missed a golden opportunity when he headed wide from close range while unmarked. There was also a chance for his strike partner Harratt but he also headed wide.
The Valiants brought on Ryan Edmondson and debutant Charsley and took the lead on 72 minutes. Chris Hussey’s dangerous corner was forced home at close range by defender Nathan Smith.
The home side survived a late scare when Tyrese Sinclair shot straight at Holy to record a cleansheet and a first win of 2022. It wasn’t a vintage performance but Wilson impressed with some intelligent play at times, Holy looked a reassuring presence in goal and Harratt was unlucky not to add to his tally. Ben Garrity put in his usual energetic performance in midfield while the back three of Martin, Smith and Hall were rarely troubled. It is certainly a result to build on ahead of the visit of runaway leaders Forest Green Rovers.
Full-time: Port Vale 1-0 Scunthorpe Utd
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Match stats:
Port Vale: Holy; Smith, Martin, Hall; Worrall, Walker, Garrity, Hussey; Wilson (Cooper), Harratt (Edmondson), Amoo (Charsley)
Subs: Stone, Hurst, Jones, Pett
Port Vale bookings: Harratt, Edmondson
Attendance: 5,467 (274 visitors)