Andy Crosby hails his senior players after Trophy win over Crewe Alex

Port Vale manager Andy Crosby paid tribute to his senior professionals as they helped close out a 1-0 Football League Trophy group stages win over Crewe Alex on Tuesday night.

Ben Garrity’s first-half strike proved decisive but Crosby highlighted the influence of four of his senior players on what was a young and inexperienced Vale line-up.

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To have longevity there’s lots of things you have to sacrifice and those four guys are real good examples to the academy players who were on the pitch at the end…

Crosby commented: “I have to look at the bigger picture and say to Jayson Leutwiler coming in and making his debut, Ben Garrity, Jason Lowe, Funso Ojo finishing off the game – are an incredible example to all the young players who are on the pitch of what you have to do to become a professional footballer. To have longevity there’s lots of things you have to sacrifice and those four guys are real good examples to the academy players who were on the pitch at the end.”

Crosby was also delighted to see Kofi Balmer and Ryan Loft make their debuts for the side adding: “(Balmer has) been back for around a week with the main group training. He’s had two or three weeks of rehab and he’s going to be a good player for the football club. I’ve worked with him before and delighted we got him out there tonight. He can kick on with his fitness and hopefully be available for the next game.

“(Ryan Loft’s) game time at Bristol Rovers has been a bit up and down for obvious reasons. It’s important he gets out there It’s going to take time but delighted he’s out there.”