Derby County 1-2 Port Vale match report – Rams pay the penalty as Vale claim dramatic victory

Derby County 1-2 Port Vale – one of the most dramatic games of recent years was settled by James Wilson’s first of the season in a match that had drama in bucketloads.

Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke handed Liam McCarron a first League start while defender Connor Hall was named on the bench.

It was a high tempo start by both sides but it was the home side who took advantage as Tom Barkhuizen broke down the left and crossed for an unmarked James Collins to fire the ball home after just five minutes.

It looked like Vale may buckle after that goal as Derby pressed with Mendez-Lang forcing a fine save from Stevens. However, Vale got back into the game and started to create chances as the pace of Wilson, Harrison and Massey caused Derby’s veteran central defenders some problems.

There was a golden chance to equalise on thirteen minutes when Dan Jones was fouled in the box and to the amazement of Vale fans, the ref awarded a penalty. It broke a British record sequence of 73 games without a spot-kick. Typically, for the Valiants, the chance was wasted as captain Tom Conlon put his effort wide.

However, there were other chances for the Vale. Brad Walker had an air shot from a Massey cross and Ben Garrity headed well wide. But it was the home side who should really have stretched their lead. Connor Hourihane shot just wide while Dobbin missed the target when unmarked in the box. There was also a last-gasp Nathan Smith challenge on Collins after an poor kick from Stevens and another mix-up saw Will Forrester clear off the line as the Valiants somehow kept it down to just the one goal deficit at the break.

Half-time: Derby County 1-0 Port Vale

Darrell Clarke brought on Dennis Politic at the interval and his energy was soon to the fore as Vale enjoyed a better second period. Politic had a shot blocked before Vale were handed another penalty although this one appeared to be less clearcut. Richard Stearman was booked for what appeared to be a hand in the box. Ellis Harrison took over spot-kick duties from Conlon and he made no mistake to draw Vale level on 54 minutes.

A minute later the game was turned on its head when James Collins was sent-off. It looked to be a deserved red with the forward appearing to stamp on Nathan Smith while the Vale defender was grounded. With the home side down to ten men, Vale sensed that an upset could be on the cards but they had to be careful as, with the home fans livid,  the officials appeared to lose control for a period and fouls and yellow cards were brandished all over the place.

The Valiants gathered their senses and took the lead on 65 minutes with a clever piece of play. Tom Conlon robbed a defender and fed Ellis Harrison whose cross found Wilson. The tall striker made no mistake with a low drive past the keeper to open his account for the season.

It could have been even more for the Valiants as the lively Politic saw an effort deflected wide, James Wilson headed straight at the keeper and another effort was put wide by sub Odebeko.

However, credit to Derby who despite being a man down put Vale under all sorts of pressure in the closing stages with a series of corners that the Vale defence were able to repel to secure an unlikely but memorable three points.

It’s fair to say that Vale did get some of the rub of the green with some of the decisions but the first penalty award and Collins’ red for a stamp did look to be clear-cut. Nevertheless, the officials earned the ire of the home fans at the final whistle as they went home disappointed.

As for Vale, this was a magnificent team effort from Jack Stevens at the back to Ellis Harrison upfront. Will Forrester had another good game as did the every willing Ellis Harrison while Dennis Politic looked lively off the bench, but the stand-out player for me was Nathan Smith who put in an outstanding defensive display.

Full-time: Derby County 1-2 Port Vale