Charlton Athletic 3-2 Port Vale report – Valiants safe despite another away loss
Charlton Athletic 3-2 Port Vale report – the positive on the pitch was a first senior goal for James Plant. The positive elsewhere was that MK Dons’ draw against Barnsley meant that Vale cannot drop out of League One.
Andy Crosby named Jamie Proctor upfront after injury ruled out James Wilson and Ellis Harrison.
However, it was a lacklustre first-half display at the Valley which was broken by another Vale defensive error which resulted in a goal. It came on thirteen minutes when Forrester, who had looked good going forward, weakly directed a header at the feet of Campbell and he powered a shot past Aidan Stone.
Vale played some neat football but once again had no cutting edge as the home side had the lead at the break.
Andy Crosby made a double change at the break and it initially looked to bringing the visitors back into the game. Sustained Vale pressure saw chances for Matty Taylor and Aaron Donnelly while a mazy run from Danny Butterworth saw his shot deflected wide.
However, more Vale defensive errors, this time from Donnelly and Benning ended Vale’s comeback. Those mistakes, on 58 minutes, allowed the impressive Rak-Sayki space to run into the box and his curling shot gave Stone no chance as Charlton doubled their lead.
Vale did come back into the game when sub James Plant, who had impressed since coming on, celebrating signing his first senior contract with his first senior goal, tapping in from close range on 62 minutes.
Vale almost drew level through a Conlon free-kick but Charlton made it safe when yet more poor defending saw the ball go across the penalty area for Leaburn to score the third from close range. With 23 minutes remaining the game looked dead and buried.
However, there was still time for a handball to give Vale an injury-time penalty with Matty Taylor burying the spot-kick but it no more than a consolation. Fortunately, results elsewhere meant that despite the loss, Vale’s safety was secured. Despite that good news, it still looks like the Vale need to undertake a big rebuilding job at the end of the season if they are to progress in League One.
Playing notes: credit again to half-time sub James Plant whose enterprise when coming on was noticeable and who scored his debut goal for the club. Tom Pett and Funso Ojo also did relatively well in central midfield. However, once again it was Vale’s shaky defence, with the honourable exception of Nathan Smith, who were the side’s downfall. This side will need significant improvements in the summer if they are to avoid another relegation scrap.
Port Vale
Playing XI: Stone – Forrester (Taylor), Smith, Donnelly – Worrall, Pett (Conlon), Ojo, Benning – Massey, Proctor (Plant), Butterworth (Politic)
Subs not used: Stevens, McDermott
Port Vale goals: James Plant (62), Matty Taylor (97 pen)
Port Vale bookings: Proctor
