Port Vale 2-0 Stevenage – eight unbeaten as Valiants boost promotion hopes

Port Vale made it eight games without a loss as they comfortably overcame Stevenage at Vale Park on Saturday.

Andy Crosby brought David Worrall and Ryan Edmondson into his starting line-up but it was James Gibbons, deployed as left-wingback who was hugely influential in the opening stages.

Firstly, Gibbons’ free-kick was headed in for the opener on six minutes. It looked to be Jamir Proctor’s goal but was credited as an own-goal. Gibbons was again the provider six minutes later when he set up Ryan Edmondson to net his second Vale goal.

The Valiants were comfortable at that early stage and could have increased their lead. However, their best chance – a header for Ben Garrity – was saved.

The Valiants were less fluent after the break as Stevenage tried to rally. Vale were impressive in stages but without creating many clearcut chances. The best of them fell to sub David Amoo but he sent his header wide.

It was a comfortable home victory for the Valiants who never looked in danger of losing their early lead. The only concern would be am injury to David Worrall which saw the wideman limp off.