Port Vale 2-0 Sutton Utd – Wilson and Proctor goals push Vale into promotion picture
Strike duo James Wilson and Jamie Proctor both scored as Vale vanquished promotion rivals Sutton Utd to reach fourth place in the League Two table.
Andy Crosby named an unchanged line-up but had to switch things around early on when captain Tom Pett limped off to be replaced by Aaron Martin. Martin slotted in seamlessly as Vale took an early lead.
It came via reinvigourated left wingback Mal Benning, who has been in great form since returning to the team. On seven minutes, Benning’s cross from the left came to Jamie Proctor, his shot was deflected to Wilson, Sutton keeper Dean Bouzanis stopped his shot but the ball rebounded back to the Vale striker and rolled over the line. It was a great start for the Vale and it prompted a purple patch.
On 23 minutes, Vale doubled their lead with arguably one of the goals of the season. It came from another ball in from Benning, which looped into the air after a deflection. Proctor took it early, leaping high to scissor-kick a crisp volley into the top corner.
The first-half was disrupted by some baffling referee decisions which resulted in six minutes of additional play for reasons which only official Martin Coy would be able to explain. The interruptions didn’t allow Vale to control any significant passages of play and so the first-half ended in a low key fashion. However, Vale fans would not care after taking a commanding lead into the interval.
Half-time: Port Vale 2-0 Sutton Utd
Sutton continued to get away with some combative play which was rarely punished by the ref as they largely kept Vale at bay in the second period. They also came close to scoring a consolation only to hit the woodwork.
Vale’s best chance of the half fell to defender Connor Hall who put his shot over while sub David Amoo caused a tiring Sutton backline problems with his pace late on. There was also a cameo by defender Sam Robinson who made his Vale debut with minutes remaining,
This was another excellent all-round display as Vale make it five unbeaten and surged into the promotion picture. With games against Barrow and Salford to follow, hopes will be high that if Andy Crosby can keep his key players fit then Vale will be able to mount a genuine promotion challenge.
Full-time: Port Vale 2-0 Sutton Utd
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Match stats
Port Vale: Stone; Smith, Walker, Hall; Worrall (Robinson), Pett (Martin), Charsley, Garrity, Benning; Wilson (Amoo), Proctor
Subs: Holy, Hurst, Edmondson,
Port Vale bookings: Walker, Proctor
Attendance: 6,362