Bradford City 1-2 Port Vale: Ben Garrity and James Wilson scored as the Valiants continue their promotion push with an excellent away win at Valley Parade.
Andy Crosby made two changes with Mal Benning and Brad Walker coming in for Chris Hussey and Aaron Martin.
It was an all-energy first-half with both sides flying into challenges. The Valiants had efforts for Wilson and Worrall which went wide while Proctor also missed another when he passed instead of shooting. However, the best chance fell to David Worrall after good play with Wilson but the wideman missed the target with the goal at his mercy.
The home side also had plenty of first-half chances including the closest of the first forty five when a brave challenge by Brad Walker deflected a late goalbound shot onto the bar. However, it remained goalless at the break.
Half-time: Bradford 0-0 Port Vale
It was a tight affair in the second-half but a mistake in the Bradford box let in James Wilson and it was that man, Ben Garrity, on hand to net from close range to put Vale ahead on 50 minutes.
It was almost two moments later as the energetic Benning saw an effort deflected wide. Benning then put another excellent ball low across the box but no Vale player could connect. There was yet another chance as Garrity tried to set up Wilson but the striker wasn’t able to connect cleanly.
Wilson made amends as he doubled the lead when he set on a brilliant solo run and his effort went through the Bradford keeper and into the net on 63 minutes. It was a great solo goal from the summer signing.
Vale were rampant by this time and their forward breaks were causing the Bradford defence all sorts of problems. Another excellent run by Wilson set up Charsley but he shot right at the keeper.
However, the home side got back in the game on 70 minutes when a deflected effort from substitute Vernon went in. It heralded a period of pressure from the home side. Walker was next to challenge for Bradford as he broke clear but his effort went just wide. Andy Cook was next to threaten but he put his close range header wide.
It was pretty much backs to the wall for the closing period for the Valiants but despite a tense six minutes of added time, they held on for a hugely important win.
Considering the personnel missing – Conlon, Gibbons, Taylor, Martin, Hussey and Jones – this was an excellent performance by the Valiants. The whole team performed well but special mention of the returning duo Brad Walker and Mal Benning who slotted in seamlessly. Bring on Exeter…
Full-time: Bradford 1-2 Port Vale
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Match stats
Port Vale: Stone; Smith, Walker, Hall; Worrall, Pett, Charsley (Edmondson), Garrity, Benning; Proctor (Amoo), Wilson (Harratt)
Subs: Holy, Robinson, Hurst, Cooper
Port Vale bookings: Walker, Charsley, Benning, Smith
Attendance: 16,046 (746 away)
This may be the most important win of the season , considering Bradford’s min revival under Hughes. More importantly, Vale looked like a side that were fully determined to win it, and now I must say that we are definitely looking like strong challengers for the playoffs , or perhaps promotion. An immense contribution from all 11 players . I thought Nathan Smith was outstanding, saving us on a number of occasions. On to Exeter, and I can’t wait . Well done Port Vale . Proud and happy tonight across the big pond. UTV