Port Vale 0-3 Middlesbrough report – Cup dreams over as Valiants exit at quarter-final stage
There was no lucky ending for the Valiants as they were defeated in their thirteenth cup tie of the season. Vale made history by appearing in the quarter-finals of the League Cup for the first time although the night itself was to end in disappointment.
Team news
Manager Andy Crosby kept faith with the same starting eleven which defeated Wigan which again meant that Kofi Balmer started ahead of captain Nathan Smith. Funso Ojo was deemed fit enough to start and captained the side in the absence of Smith. Visitors Middlesbrough made five changes from their win on Saturday.
First-half
The Vale had the first chance with Chislett’s free-kick going just over. However, Boro struck the first blow with ten minutes gone. Captain Jonny Howson found space outside the box and his long-range drive deflected off Jason Lowe and over Connor Ripley. The Valiants countered with a period of pressure and a succession of corners. From one of them, Boro countered through Latte Lath but great tracking back by Massey cut out the threat.
Despite that Vale passage of play, the visitors doubled their advantage on twenty three minutes. Ripley’s high ball caused Balmer problems and Boro won the ball with it being squared for Morgan Rogers to curl it home. Minutes later, Vale missed a golden chance when Grant fed Chislett whose ball reached Massey in the six yard area but he hit it over as he was stretching. Meanwhile, Middlesbrough had another good chance as Ojo was robbed but Crooks curled it well over with only Ripley to beat.
Boro had a couple of half-chances in the closing stages before there were strong Vale appeals for a penalty when the ball appeared to hit Rogers’ arm but it wasn’t given.
Vale had been outdone in the first period. Much of the play had been in Boro’s half and Vale had stretched the visitors’ defence on several occasions but by pushing forward had fallen victim to Boro’s counter-attacking play twice. While Vale should have done better, especially with Massey’s chance, the visitors had been clinical with two of theirs and that was the difference at the break.
Second-half
There were early changes for the Vale with Ryan Loft coming on for a clearly half-fit Ojo and Iacovitti replacing Balmer. The Valiants needed to get back in the game but instead it was Middlesbrough who stretched their lead. Matt Crooks, who had missed a chance in the first-half made no mistake this time as he curled the ball past Ripley to put the game beyond Vale.
It got even worse for Vale when Ollie Arblaster collided with Jason Lowe and the influential loanee, who has been so impressive this season, was stretchered off to be replaced by Rhys Walters. The visitors were controlling the game well at that point with Vale having no chances in the first fifteen minutes of the second period. Instead Boro had another chance but Silvera put it wide.
The Valiants were struggling to put any sustained pressure on the Boro backline and a well-worked move on 68 minutes ended with a weak Chislett effort. Vale were then grateful to Ripley who clawed away a Kavanagh effort on 75 minutes.
Crosby’s last throw of the dice saw Ikpeazu join Loft upfront for the last fifteen minutes but it was no avail as instead Boro missed a couple of chances to net a fourth. The second-half had been largely a damp squib once Middlesbrough had scored their third as Port Vale were comfortably beaten on the night. Credit is due to Michael Carrick’s side who – despite injuries of their own – did a professional job and thoroughly deserved their semi-final place.
Player notes
Vale looked bright in the forty five when attacking, especially on the left with Conor Grant and Ethan Chislett linking up well. It’s such a pity the side lacks a goal poacher to put those first-half chances away.
However, there were still too many errors at the back which the higher placed opponents were quick to take advantage of. I do wonder whether the extra experience of Nathan Smith may have been better than Kofi Balmer? Of the back three, Jesse Debrah was probably the most impressive both defensively and in an attacking sense.
Funso Ojo sadly looked unfit and it was no surprise to see him replaced at the break. Connor Ripley had no chance with any of the goals but will be unhappy with his sloppy pass which led to the second.
However, perhaps the most worrying aspect of the loss are the injuries to both Ojo and Ollie Arblaster which could see Vale’s first choice central midfield pairing out of action.
Closing thoughts
It was an entertaining cup run for the Valiants even though it ended on a disappointing note. However, it is no disgrace to lose to a side in the Championship and Vale can hold their heads up high after this game. After all the cup excitement this season (the Valiants having played thirteen times) it’s time to focus on the nitty gritty of the League again. It’s unlikely that Vale’s next opponents Wycombe will possess as much of a threat as Middlesbrough did on Tuesday night.
Match stats
Port Vale side – Ripley – Debrah, Lowe (Sang), Balmer (Iacovitti) – Massey (Ikepeazu), Ojo (Loft), Arblaster (Walters), Grant – Chislett, Garrity, Devine
Unused subs – Leutwiler, Smith, Dipepa, Lomax
Vale bookings – Balmer, Loft, Iacovitti
Vale goals – none
Attendance – 12,006 (2,715 visitors)