Salford City 1-0 Port Vale match report – lacklustre Valiants crash out of the cup
A disappointing Port Vale display saw them exit the Football League Trophy at the quarter-final stage.
Manager Darrell Clarke started with Aidan Stone in goal while Dan Butterworth was preferred to Dennis Politic upfront.
The home side had the better of the opening exchanges before Vale missed a golden chance to take the lead. Mal Benning robbed a defender but with the goal at his mercy his shot found the Salford keeper and the rebound evaded the onrushing Ellis Harrison.
The Valiants were to rue that chance as Salford took the lead on ten minutes when Matt Smith’s header beat Stone.
The game then descended into a midfield battle with Vale unable to asset any pressure or dominance. There were half-chances for Butterworth and Garrity but Vale’s best chance came when Harrison, the subject of some heavy handling, was bundled over in the box but no penalty was awarded.
Half-time: Salford City 1-0 Port Vale
Vale had an early effort form Mal Benning but slack defending allowed Salford sub Tolaj to break free but fortunately for the Valiants his shot hit the bar. The home side hit the woodwork for a second time five minutes later as more poor defending allowed Smith to turn and his shot hit the post. There was even time for a third when a long-range effort hit the other post.
A quadruple substitution saw Holden set up Politic only for the sub to have his shot blocked. However, there was another golden opportunity for Salford but Tolaj put his effort wide. To be fair to the home side by that point they could have been four or five ahead.
Nevertheless, Vale pushed for an equaliser with Politic having a shot blocked and Benning driving it wide. It sparked a period of Vale pressure with substitutes Holden and Politic both influential. There was another mazy run and shot from Politic which was blocked while Matt Smith failed to connect with a Salford cross and double their lead. There was a late scramble as Vale pushed for an equaliser but the ball was cleared while there was another Vale penalty appeal for a handball.
There was a last-gasp chance for the Valiants as Ellis Harrison turned but his shot hit the bar as the woodwork was struck for the fourth time in the game. However, it was too little too late as the home side managed to hang on for their win. If Salford had made the most of their second-half chances it would have been an even more comprehensive home win.
It was a disappointing Vale display with the only bright spot being the performances of subs Holden and Politic. It was a sluggish display where, for most of the game, Vale were unable to control the play and a game which they arguably could have lost by more goals.
Full-time: Salford City 1-0 Port Vale
Match stats and Port Vale player ratings
Starting eleven ratings:
- Aidan Stone – little to do but beaten by Smith’s header and not the best distribution
- Nathan Smith – not his best game as the back three struggled in the second period
- Dan Jones – not as influential in the centre as he had been in previous games
- Connor Hall – a below par game, but did try to come forward at times
- Dave Worrall – starved of service but looked decent when given the ball
- Ben Garrity – arguably Vale’s best player as he never gave up
- Tom Conlon – the odd glimpse but couldn’t get on the ball and control play
- Mal Benning – looked decent at times but really should have scored early on
- James Wilson – man marked and unable to influence the game
- Ellis Harrison – suffered some rough treatment and battled away to no avail
- Dan Butterworth – some classy touches but out of the game for large spells
Sub ratings:
- Rory Holden (for Connor Hall) some nice touches and linked well with Politic
- Tom Pett (for Tom Conlon) quietly industrious when introduced
- Mipu Odebeko (for James Wilson) not in the game enough to influence it
- Dennis Politic (for Dan Butterworth) a livewire after being introduced. Impressive cameo
- Gavin Massey (for Mal Benning) on in the closing stages as Vale pushed for an equaliser
Unused subs:
- Jack Stevens, Lewis Cass
Port Vale bookings:
- Ben Garrity
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