13th August 2022

Port Vale 0-0 Bolton Wanderers – an entertaining game at Vale Park ended goalless with Vale unable to beat ten man Bolton thanks to an excellent display from visiting goalkeeper James Trafford.

Darrell Clarke gave full debuts to recent signings Jack Stevens and Ellis Harrison while Will Forrester also made his full debut in the back three.

Played in roasting heat, the first-half may have been goalless but it was full of drama. Jack Stevens was called into action early on and produced an excellent save to deny Afolayon. The Valiants also had a brace of chances for the energetic Ben Garrity. But the best chance fell to defender Connor Hall, who was the recipient of a great pass from Jamie Proctor but the centre-half put his effort just wide.

However, it was the visitors who had the two best chances of the half – both of them coming from corners and both of them seeing efforts cleared off the line. Wanderers players were adamant that one had crossed the line but their appeals were turned down. During one of those corners, Bolton skipper Santos hauled Nathan Smith to the ground earning a yellow card. It was to prove costly as Harrison got the better of him on 36 minutes and the captain held him back, earning a second yellow and a dismissal.

Vale now had a man advantage and were comfortable in possession as the half ended.

Half-time: Port Vale 0-0 Bolton Wanderers

Bolton began the second-half without manager Ian Evatt who had been red carded at half-time. Ellis Harrison, who had been quiet in the first-half, was prominent in the second-half as he was denied on numerous occasions by visiting keeper James Trafford. Vale bossed possession against their ten men opponents and Harrison headed over on 47 minutes, forced a good save two minutes later and then Trafford produced the save of the match to deny the Vale debutant on 80 minutes.

The visitors were reduced to chances on the break although Vale debutant Stevens produced a fine save on 69 minutes to deny Morley.

Vale continued to press in the closing stages but despite chances for Ben Garrity and Ojo they were unable to find a way past Trafford. Nevertheless, despite the lack of goals it had been a good performance from the whole Vale team with Harrison desperately unlucky not to find the target on his debut.

Full-time: Port Vale 0-0 Bolton Wanderers

Star man: It was close between Mal Benning and Funso Ojo, but we’d give it to the central midfielder who gave an energetic performance in midfield.

Honourable mentions: the aforementioned Mal Benning did well as did both debutants Jack Stevens and Ellis Harrison. It was a good all-round display but honourable mentions also go to subs Brad Walker and Gavin Massey who both impressed in the closing stages.

Match stats

Port Vale side: Stevens – Forrester (Massey, Smith, Hall – Cass, Ojo (Pett), Garrity, Conlon (Walker), Benning – Harrison, Proctor (Holden)

Subs – Stone, Jones, Charsley

Vale bookings: Forrester, Hall

Vale goals: none

Attendance: 10,277 (3,076 visitors)