Port Vale 1-2 Rotherham Utd match report – Benning scores but Valiants out of cup
Port Vale 1-2 Rotherham Utd – the Valiants slipped to a second defeat in five days despite Mal Benning’s first goal of the season as they lost in the Football League Cup to Championship side Rotherham.
Darrell Clarke handed full debuts to Will Forrester, Rory Holden and Thierry Small as he made seven changes form the side which lost 4-0 at Exeter.
However, the Valiants made a poor start as a mix-up between Stone and Pett allowed Rathbone’s shot to cross the line on seven minutes, despite Nathan Smith’s desperate attempt to clear.
Vale rallied with Holden heading wide on eight minutes following good play from Conlon, Garrity and Robinson. Meanwhile, Rotherham could have doubled their lead with Washington flagged offside and then Kelly missing when he looked well placed to score.
Vale then had a period of pressure with Sam Robinson prominent. Firstly he had a shot blocked from a Conlon free-kick and then a second chance from a corner. However, Rotherham made the tie safe in first-half stoppage time when the impressive Rathbone played it in to sub Ogbebe who sidefooted it home.
Half-time: Port Vale 0-2 Rotherham Utd
In the second period, Vale did at least have the ball in the net but Will Forrester’s effort was disallowed for a foul. However, Rotherham should really have made it three as Kelly missed his second good chance of the game.
The closing stages had largely the air of a pre-season friendly until Vale made a host of changes. One of them, youngster Tommy McDermott, set up fellow sub Mal Benning and his shot beat the keeper with nine minutes to go. It sparked the Valiants into life and another sub, Gavin Massey was next to threaten. It lead to an entertaining finish to the game as Darrell Clarke’s side pushed for an equaliser. Another cross from Massey caused problems with the sub at the centre of Vale’s late revival.
Despite all that late pressure, Rotherham held firm to record a win and reach the second round. It was always going to be a tough task for a depleted Valiants side facing a Championship outfit and Vale were largely outclassed for the opening 80 minutes of this game. It won’t be a shock to anyone, including manager Darrell Clarke, that Port Vale do need more options upfront.
Full-time: Port Vale 1-2 Rotherham Utd
Match stats
Port Vale side: Stone – Forrester, Smith (Ojo), Jones – Robinson (Massey), Walker, Pett (McDermott), Conlon, Small (Benning) – Holden (Proctor), Garrity
Subs: Hall, Charsley, Agyakwa, Cass
Vale bookings: Smith
Vale goals: Benning (81)
Attendance: 3,094 (190 visitors)
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