Cambridge Utd 0-1 Port Vale match report – depleted Valiants dig out valuable away win
Cambridge Utd 0-1 Port Vale match report – a Valiants side missing several key players still managed to pick up what could be a priceless three points at Cambridge.There was a double blow for the Valiants ahead of kick-off with strikers Ellis Harrison and James Wilson both missing out. Tom Pett and Connor Hall returned to the starting line-up. Nevertheless, the Vale started brightly and the first effort came from a Tom Pett drive which went over.
The first period was played at a furious pace but ground to a halt when Vale keeper Jack Stevens was injured in a challenge and had to be replaced by Aidan Stone.
The Valiants continued to press and had the best chances with a Mipo Odubeko effort hitting the post while there were also half-chances for Gavin Massey, Tom Conlon and Ben Garrity.
The home side were dangerous on the break and their best chance fell to Lancaster whose shot from distance went close. However, despite an all-action first forty five, it was goalless at the break.
Half-time: Cambridge Utd 0-0 Port Vale
Cambridge changed formation and personnel in the second period as they tried to push for a winner. It led to a scrappy period with the ball mostly involved in a midfield battle and chances at a premium.
However, Vale nearly took the lead from a most unlikely source with Connor Hall embarking on a mazy run in the box only to blaze the ball over. Nevertheless, it was another Valiants defender who helped give Vale the lead. Will Forrester broke on the right and his cross was fired into the net by a home defender to give Vale the lead with twenty two minutes left.
The goal resulted in a prolonged period of pressure from the home side but the Valiants held firm despite a lengthy period of injury time to record an invaluable away win.
Credit must go to defenders Connor Hall, Nathan Smith and Will Forrester who withstood lots of pressure at the back but there were also good displays from Odubeko and Worrall while Ben Garrity and Tom Conlon showed improved form. Any injuries to the likes of Jack Stevens, James Wilson and Ellis Harrison may concern Vale in the long-term but the immediate result is an excellent three points for Darrell Clarke’s battling side.
Full-time: Cambridge Utd 0-1 Port Vale
Match stats
Port Vale side: Stevens (Stone) – Smith, Forrester, Hall – Worrall (Robinson), Pett (Butterworth), Conlon, Garrity, Benning (Jones) – Massey (Charsley), Odubeko
Subs: Cass, Holden
Vale bookings: Conlon, Worrall, Massey
Vale goals: Digby own-goal (78)
Attendance: 6,218 (732 visitors)