Port Vale 1-0 Charlton Athletic match report – Butterworth stunner earns Vale three points
Port Vale 1-0 Charlton Athletic match report – a battling display, a cleansheet, a stunning winner and three points proved the perfect riposte by the Valiants to their heavy loss last weekend.
The Valiants brought talisman James Wilson, midfielder Ben Garrity and keeper Jack Stevens back as three of five changes to their starting eleven. However, the Vale could have been a goal down early on as the visitors spurned a number of chances from a corner.
Vale’s first chance fell to Wilson but he sent his effort well over. It was symptomatic of a first-half which was battling and high paced but lacking any quality finishing.
Half-time: Port Vale 0-0 Charlton Athletic
In the second period, Vale provided more quality and Mal Benning sent an effort just wide before a moment of class from Worrall and Butterworth gave Vale the lead on the hour mark. Worrall’s sublime ball found Vale’s number 26 and he glided past several Charlton defenders before his shot found the bottom corner. It was a goal worthy of winning any game.
Chuks Aneke blazed a chance over for the visitors before Butterworth went close again only for his effort to go over. There were seven minutes of additional time, which seemed to even surprise the PA announcer, during which Vale were grateful to Jack Stevens for tipping over one effort as Charlton pressed at the end.
But resilient Vale defending saw them close the game out. It was an excellent all-round performance and one which sees them into the top-half of the division.
Full-time: Port Vale 1-0 Charlton Athletic
Match stats
Port Vale side: Stevens – Smith, Jones, Hall – Worrall (Robinson), Garrity, Conlon, Benning – Butterworth (Politic), Massey – Wilson (Odubeko)
Subs: Stone, Cass, Pett, Charsley
Vale bookings: Benning
Vale goals: Butterworth (57)
Attendance: 7,604 (864 visitors)