Port Vale 0-1 Portsmouth report – Valiant pay the penalty after awful refereeing

Port Vale were second-best for much of this game but looked to be holding on for a point before a soft penalty gifted Portsmouth a late winner.

Team news

Andy Crosby handed a full debut to loan signing Dan Gore while Jenson Weir was also handed his full home debut after his truncated debut at Reading. Youngsters Jack Shorrock, Rhys Walters and Baylee Dipepa were named on the bench. However, loanee Rhys Williams failed to make the squad.

First-half

It was a largely backs to the wall first forty five for the home side as Pompey had a host of chances to score. The game had actually started with five minutes of Vale pressure – with headers from Grant and Ikpeazu coming to naught before Portsmouth wrestled control of the game.

There were a number of chances for the visitors – Devlin blazed over twice, Paddy Lane saw a shot blocked as did Peart-Harris while a Bishop header produced a fine save from Connor Ripley. These efforts were prompted by Lowery who controlled things from midfield.

Vale were probably happy to reach the half-time interval without conceding although they did lose Uche Ikpeazu to a shoulder injury. It was a bed tempered half with some of the Pompey theatrics enraging the home fans while some of Vale’s more robust challenges angering the visiting supporters.

Second-half

The visitors started the second period the stronger with Connor Ripley pulling off two fine saves. Debutant Dan Gore was then replaced by Tom Sang but Pompey continued to have the better of the possession. However, Vale’s defence. with Iacovitti in a real battle with Bishop looked to be holding firm.

Sixteen year-old Jack Shorrock was introduced and had some bright moments on the left but Vale were increasing left to defending their box from Portsmouth attacks,

The key moment arrived with five minutes to go. Vale thought there should have been a free-kick for a robust challenge on Chislett then the referee gave a penalty for a challenge by Conor Grant in the box where the Vale defender seemed to win the ball. Bishop stepped up to score past Ripley. It enraged the Vale fans with one idiotic supporter running onto the pitch to confront the ref.

Portsmouth were the better side and probably deserved the win but the manner of the decisive goal will enrage the Vale fans who roundly booed the officials at the end of ninety minutes.