Port Vale 2-1 Sutton United – Valiants move into the fourth round after home win
Goals from Josh Thomas and sub Funso Ojo saw the Valiants into the fourth round of the Football League Cup.
Manager Andy Crosby made nine changes including a start for Josh Thomas upfront and recent signing Jesse Debrah named on the bench.
The game started in unspectacular fashion. There were early chances for Thomas and Devine as Vale dominated possession without creating too many clearcut changes. Sutton’s first chance didn’t come until forty minutes but arguably it was the best chance of the first-half as Pereira found himself clear and forced a good save out of Ripley.
In the second-half good work by Rhys Walters sent Josh Thomas clear and he put Vale into the lead in the 49th minute. Vale could have stretched their lead but instead the visitors equalised when Josh Coley scored following a break.
However, the Valiants won it late on when they made a number of changes including a debut for recent signing Jesse Debrah. It was fellow sub Funso Ojo who scored the winner moments after coming on. All eyes will now be on the fourth round draw and a possible glamour tie.
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Match stats
Date: 26th September 2023
Venue: Vale Park stadium
Competition: Football League Cup
Port Vale
Team: Ripley, Cass, Balmer (Plant), Smith (Debrah), Sang (Chislett), Lowe, Walters (Ojo), Grant, Massey, Devine, Thomas (Wilson)
Subs not used: Leutwiler, Garrity, Smith, Clark,
Bookings: none
Goals: Thomas (49), Ojo (81)