Port Vale 1-0 Chesterfield – impressive Valiants record first League win at home
Darren Moore’s side made it two wins in a row in League Two thanks to Ethan Chislett’s first-half winner at Vale Park.
Team news
Team newsManager Darren Moore unsurprisingly named an unchanged line-up for the game. It meant first home starts for George Byers and Jayden Stockley. Midfielder Ryan Croasdale was named on the bench after missing the win over Newport County through illness.
First-half
First-halfA dominant Port Vale display saw them leading at the break thanks to a goal from Ethan Chislett.
The visitors had a couple of early efforts for Dobra but after that it was one way traffic as Vale took control.
Lorent Tolaj had a shot on the turn blocked and Ethan Chislett put a shot wide before the pair combined for the goal. Stockley found Tolaj, his quality through ball put Chislett clear and he confidently put Vale ahead on ten minutes.
The Valiants had numerous chances after that goal as the visitors looked shaky. Chislett saw a curling shot go wide and a header go over with Benicio once again creating multiple chances.
Chesterfield changed formation to counter Vale and came more into the game in the last 15 minutes. However, Vale had another golden opportunity when Tolaj won the ball and set up Garrity. The midfielder found Benicio in the box and he looked to be fouled but no penalty was awarded.
In stoppage time there was a chance for Chesterfield but Grigg fired wide from close range and was injured in the process. It was Vale ahead at the break.
Half-time: Port Vale 1-0 Chesterfield
Second-half
Second-halfThe Valiants secured the win despite an increasingly picky referee display, a stronger second-half display by the visitors and nearly ten minutes of additional time.
Chesterfield pressed in the opening stages before Vale created chances for the impressive Chislett and another for Benicio. The visitors then had a chance for Berry but Cover blocked. There was then a blow when Debrah, who had had a good game, limped off.
It was a more even half but Vale should have doubled their lead on the hour. Tolaj expertly won the ball but shot wide and then moments later had another effort saved. There was then a further blow for Vale when Debrah’s partner Connor Hall was injured but he was able to carry on.
The Valiants had yet another chance on 72 minutes as Heneghan found Stockley, who turned his man, but shot wide before being flagged offside. However, in general it was a more ragged game in the second 45 minutes with fewer Vale opportunities as a result.
The visitors pressed for an equaliser on the nine minutes of additional time with Vale a little under the cosh at the end. The Valiants won’t mind though as they held on to record a clean sheet and a second successive win.
Full-time: Port Vale 1-0 Chesterfield
Final thoughts:
This was another fine performance with Vale looking much better since the switch to a back four. It was good for the side to record a first home win especially against a side strongly tipped to be promotion contenders. It was good to see Vale create plenty of chances, to see the team starting to gel and the defence, despite injury, record a clean sheet. The only negatives will be not scoring a second goal, a lot of yellows from a card-happy referee and the injury to Debrah which may deplete Vale’s defensive options.
Pick of the players:
This was another good all round display. Cover kept the dangerous Berry quiet, Benicio was tricky, Tolaj’s lay-off play was excellent, Garrity was energetic, Byers was classy but the stand-out was the skilful Chislett.
Match stats
Please note these stats may not update immediately after the game finishes
Vale starting eleven: Ripley, Cover, Debrah (Heneghan), Hall, John (Sang) – Byers (Croasdale), Garrity – Benicio (Richards), Chislett (Paton), Tolaj – Stockley
Subs: Amos, Hackford
Vale bookings: Chislett, Garrity, John, Tolaj, Stockley, Paton
Vale goals: Chislett (30)
Attendance: 7,976 (1,436 visitors)
Rate the players
League table
What did you think of the Port Vale performance? Share your thoughts and post a comment below.
Cookie
14th September 2024 @ 5:51 pm
Now we are playing the correct formation the team seem more confident. Byers and Tolaj immense. All round everyone a 7/10 minimum. Thought Cover was excellent. Croasdale unlucky not to start having been really good previously but Byers and Garrity a good fit. As for Mr Moore jury still out but he has some momentum now he has listened to the supporters around playing 4 at the back.
Ken from North Wales
14th September 2024 @ 5:54 pm
Gutsy performance, referee in 2nd half card Happy. Let’s hope Vale Park becomes a fortress and keep going up the table. A good solid already to compete line up and with a number of injured players on the way back it looks more promising.
Tim Jones
14th September 2024 @ 8:18 pm
we were tooooo good ! end of !UTFV
Vale fan
14th September 2024 @ 8:56 pm
Neil hare, blind as a bat or born in Chesterfield, I give all the players top marks they played for eatch other, and ARE a force to be reckoned with,Chislett was a class above in the first half,Garrity never lets us down, Ripley made his usual blunder, but got away with it,PROUD OF YOU ALL. UTV.
Bob in Brisbane
14th September 2024 @ 10:47 pm
It’s always good to wake up in Australia on a Sunday morning and read of another Vale win. Keep it going boys. UTV
David Brown
14th September 2024 @ 10:56 pm
Encouraging and reassuring second successive win, this time against decent League 2 opposition. The attendance of 7,900 is very encouraging, boosted by a healthy away following. I recall the corresponding September home game against Chesterfield in John Rudge’s promotion 1988-89 promotion season only attracted 4,400. Moore and the club’s owners have a good supporter base to work and build on. Opportunity not to be missed.
Ian Mountford
15th September 2024 @ 12:26 am
Both recent performances have hinged on Vale going to a back four, at last picking Chislett, and starting to pick an attacking formation and making teams worry about us. Moore hasn’t suddenly turned into a good manager he’s just doing what almost every Vale fan wanted. It’s just taken Moore 8 months to see it. I felt Vale were much more the dominant team in all area’s in the first half and should have possibly gone in with a much healthier lead. The only scare we did have was yet again down to Ripley. In the second half although we had much the better chances, I did feel we had the lost midfield allowing Chesterfield to come more and more into it without actually making any chances. Unlike others I’m not overly convinced with Byers who is playing in a safe little hole just in front of the back four, which leaves Garrity with a lot of ground to cover. Before people jump down my neck, I know he did that wonderfully turn going between two Chesterfield players in front of the Railway Paddock. But personally I would sooner see Croasdale in there who has been excellent, although he does tire around the 60minute mark. Can I also say I didn’t agree with Moore making the two 89minute changes (even though I’d sooner see Croasdale on instead of Byers), no one seemed to be overly tired, and we were comfortably batting time out, and with this in mind and everyone knowing their jobs, why change things and possibly confuse people. All thoughts and moans put to one side, we won and that’s alls that matters !
David raftery
15th September 2024 @ 10:49 am
Great performance looking like they are now a team to be reckoned with however Debra was clearly injured in first half it beggars belief he was allowed to start the second half there has to be questions asked about the medical team I hope the injury is not to serious
Valiant55
16th September 2024 @ 9:06 am
a good three points against a side that tonked crewe not long ago,on to accy who have not won YET,my only gripe is RIPLEY,not a big fan of him,yet again got away with another rush of blood,
Simon Bourne
17th September 2024 @ 7:13 am
Ripley is too casual and over confident. Someone will work him out and close him down!!