Port Vale 0-2 Peterborough Utd report – a limp Valiants performance under the lights
Port Vale failed to dazzle in front of the TV cameras as they were comfortably beaten by Peterborough United on Monday night.
The Valiants were forced into several changes with Tom Conlon, James Wilson and Ellis Harrison all ruled out through injury. However, one bright point was the return of Lewis Cass after his head injury against Forest Green Rovers.
Vale had the better of the early exchanges. Defender Mal Benning had the best chance of the opening 45 minutes. It came on seven minutes when a Peterborough mis-kick landed at Benning’s feet but his close range drive was saved by Posh keeper Norris.
However, the visitors came back into it with Pett and Smith both making important clearances and keeper Jack Stevens a smart save from Joe Ward. Peterborough’s best chance fell to Mason-Clarke who took advantage of a poor header to weave into the box but he put his shot wide.
It was an evenly matched affair as the game entered the half-time break.
Half-time: Port Vale 0-0 Peterborough Utd
The Valiants started the second-half strongly with a powerful Tom Pett drive blocked but the match turned during a ten minute spell when the visitors scored twice. Firstly, a deep cross evaded Stevens allowing Clarke-Harris to cleverly head back for Mason-Clarke to head home on 55 minutes. Eight minutes later, Peterborough broke on the right flank and a low cross was converted by the predatory Mason-Clarke from close-range to make it 2-0 to the visitors.
The visitors could even have added to their 2-0 lead but Stevens produced a good save from Poku on 73 minutes.
Vale tried to counter but the replacement of David Worrall, presumably to rest him after his return from injury, elicited boos as he had arguably been the Valiants’ best player. Despite the introduction of Dennis Politic, Sammy Robinon, Will Forrester and Funso Ojo, Vale couldn’t string together any periods of pressure and the visitors fairly comfortably held out for an away win.
Director of Football David Flitcroft hinted that Vale would be potentially looking at adding another defender and striker in the January window. On this performance, it does look like the Valiants could do with some new faces to freshen up the side, particularly upfront.
Full-time: Port Vale 0-2 Peterborough Utd
Port Vale stats
Performance notes:
Winger David Worrall was arguably Vale’s best performer before he was withdrawn, presumably due to his recent return from injury. Tom Pett also did a steady job in midfield and Nathan Smith was his usual self in defence. But too many of the rest of the team didn’t enforce themselves on the game including Dan Butterworth and Gavin Massey who were largely peripheral figures upfront.
How the Vale lined up:
Stevens – Cass, Smith, Jones (Forrester) – Worrall (Robinson), Garrity, Pett (Ojo), Benning – Butterworth (Politic), Odubeko, Massey
Subs not used: Stone, Holden, Agyakwa
Port Vale match stats:
Vale goals: none
Bookings: none
Attendance: 5,169