Peterborough Utd 3-0 Port Vale match report – quality shows as Vale are well beaten
Peterborough Utd 3-0 Port Vale -it was a tough afternoon for the Valiants as they were comfortably beaten by an impressive Peterborough outfit.
Manager Darrell Clarke kept faith with the same starting line-up which defeated Shrewsbury Town the previous weekend, with midfielder Tom Pett coming onto a strong bench.
Vale initially started the game well by penning Peterborough in, but without creating any clear-cut chances. There were half-chances for Jade-Jones and Harrison before the home side came back into the game strongly.
Taylor saw a shot saved by Dan Stevens before Funso Ojo was forced off through injury. On 25 minutes, Posh took the lead when Nathan Smith was dispossessed and Clarke-Harris scored. Ten minutes later, Peterborough doubled their lead when Poku’s cross was converted at close range by the ever-dangerous Clarke-Harris.
It could have been worse for Vale as Poku caused all sorts of problems on the Vale’s left flank with another Clarke-Harris saved by Stevens late on.
Half-time: Peterborough Utd 2-0 Port Vale
The home side dominated the early part of the second-half with much of the play around the Vale box, However, Darrell Clarke’s side managed to avoid conceding another goal and even had a half-chance for Dan Butterworth which was saved.
Clarke brought on subs David Worrall and Dennis Politic which brought the away side more into it with Worrall providing some dangerous crosses. There were chances for Jones and Harrison, while Taylor miscued for the home side who were constantly dangerous in the final third.
However, Posh finally got the goal their play deserved when a break away found Joe Ward and his accurate finish beat Stevens to put the result beyond doubt with twenty minutes still to play.
It was a chastening afternoon for the Valiants who were comprehensively beaten and arguably could have conceded more. The good news for Darrell Clarke’s side is that not all the other opponents will be of the same high quality as Posh.
Full-time: Peterborough Utd 3-0 Port Vale
Match stats
Port Vale side: Stevens – Cass, Smith, Jones – Massey, Garrity, Ojo (Conlon), Benning (Worrall) – Butterworth (Politic) – Wilson (Walker), Harrison
Subs – Stone, Pett, Hall
Vale bookings: Harrison, Jones, Massey
Vale goals: none
Attendance: