Swiss striker Lorent Tolaj scored his third goal of the season as Darren Moore’s Port Vale side earned a “smash and grab” away win over a largely dominant Notts County side.
Team news
Team newsManager Darren Moore made multiple changes from the team held at home in midweek. Ryan Croasdale came in for the injured George Byers, Jesse Debrah returned to the defence, Ruari Paton surprisingly replaced Jayden Stockley and perhaps even more eyebrow raising was a start for highly promising youngster Jack Shorrock who has barely featured before this game. Shorrock played as a left wingback with Kyle John dropping into the back three.
It was the home side who started strongly putting Vale under early pressure. The first chance fell to Crowley who rattled the woodwork on six minutes. Jatta was next to threaten as he headed over the bar. The same player headed wide again as County had three chances in the opening twelve minutes. Youngster Shorrock was struggling somewhat as the home side pressed down that flank.
However, totally against the play, Ronan Curtis went clear and put over a low cross to Tolaj. The Swiss striker hit a shot towards goal and arguably the keeper should have done better as it went into the back of the net. It was rough justice on the home side but credit to the Vale forwards who had created a chance from nowhere. After 24 minutes it was the Valiants who were ahead.
That goal resulted in more pressure from the home side with Jatta missing the target with a header once again. Vale were reduced to breakaway moves but to their credit were looking dangerous when they did get into the County half. Meanwhile, the Vale defence was defending manfully with Kyle John doing well to head away with Jatta threatening once again.
As the half progressed, things got a little more comfortable for the visitors. County were still dominating possession with Crowley the most cultured player on the pitch, but there was less of a threat to the Vale goal with the defence keeping the home side at arm’s length. On 36 minutes, Jatta was denied once again as he flagged offside as he broke clear. Ripley also flapped at one cross. Meanwhile, on 43 minutes, Tolaj beautifully played in Curtis who rounded the goalkeeper but lost control in the process. It showed how dangerous the Valiants were on the break as they took a one goal lead into the interval.
Half-time: Notts County 0-1 Port Vale
The home side started the second-half in much the same fashion as the first. Ripley was in action saving a Crowley free-kick. Meanwhile, Tolaj ambitiously tried to chip the keeper but without success. It was a rare Vale attack as County continued to put the Vale defence under siege. There was then a brilliant close-range save from Ripley to deny the luckless Jatta on 57 minutes.
The Valiant decided to make changes to try and protect their lead with Stockley, Heneghan and Richards all coming on. It saw Heneghan slotting into the back three and John replacing Shorrock as left wingback. The changes seemed to work with Vale frustrating County’s attempts to level the scores.
It was the same pattern of play with the home side largely dominating possession and Vale reduced to the odd chance on the break. One saw good skill from Richards almost play in Stockley but the ball was just too strong. Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch a resilient Vale defence continued to repel County’s attacks.
The game started to open up a little in the closing stages which allowed Vale more chances. A rare corner almost saw Stockley net from close range but he was unable to do so. Another cross from Kyle John almost found Stockley’s head while Garrity shot from close range before being flagged offside. It was heady stuff for Vale fans after so much County pressure.
There were howls for Connor Hall to be dismissed as he pulled down a County player having already been booked but he escaped punishment. Vale then had a great opportunity with Stockley and Croasdale having chances as well as appeals for a handball as the County side blocked one effort. However, the home side were not done and Vale were forced to defend through five minutes of additional time. Kyle John had to be replaced due to injury and Connor Ripley pulled off another fine save in the final moments as Vale recorded an away win and a clean sheet.
After late disappointment in midweek, it was great to see Vale see out the time in this match and record an excellent three points in front of more than 2,o00 travelling Vale fans.
Full-time: Notts County 0-1 Port Vale
Attendance: 11,974 (2,204 visitors)
Final thoughts
Match: I would imagine that Notts County fans will think their team deserved more from this match as they dominated possession. However, in stark contrast to last season, there are two differences to this Vale side – they possess a cutting edge to make the most of their chances and they possess a resilient defence who can stand firm and record a clean sheet.
It wasn’t a Port Vale performance to live long in the memory but the result will be welcome nevertheless. After all the changes over the summer this Vale side is still not quite there in terms of a settled line-up (if there is even going to be one) and gelling but this is now six games unbeaten which shows that momentum is building.
Players: Darren Moore’s choices may raise eyebrows at times but this one did look to pay off. The recalled Ronan Curtis was particularly impressive with good delivery and linked up well with Tolaj and Paton.
Kyle John showed his versatility by slotting in seamlessly in an unfamiliar back three role and then taking over the left wingback role from Jack Shorrock who was replaced. It was disappointing to see John potentially pick up a knock in the closing stages. Shorrock, perhaps due to rustiness, had struggled at times against the tricky Gordon. At 17 years of age, the youngster still has a big future though. In general the team did well, playing a short passing game from the back and keeping errors to a minimum. A word of praise for the defence with the likes of Debrah and Hall having very solid games. Rico Richards once again looked bright after coming on as as sub.
Star man: I felt until he went off, Ronan Curtis had been Vale’s most eye-catching player. He had probably the best game of his brief Vale career so far. A word too for keeper Connor Ripley, guilty of errors in previous games, who pulled off some excellent saves.
Port Vale line-up and stats
Starting XI: Ripley – John (Lowe), Debrah, Hall – Cover, Croasdale, Garrity, Shorrock (Heneghan) – Paton (Stockley), Tolaj, Curtis (Richards)
Subs: Amos, Chislett
Bookings: Curtis, Paton, Hall, Cover
Goals: Tolaj (24)
What did you think of the match? Share your thoughts and post a comment below.
How many times have teams done a smash and grab at Vale Park. Nice to return the compliment and hope for many more
Good 3points against a top 4 team. Let’s keep going but we must use Garrity further up. The manager does not seem to fancy Chislett and the manager seems he’ll bent on moving him in January.
Just a brilliant team performance. After last year… it’s a relief to be in the game and win
A great 3 points, Debrah was my man of the match, he never gave up, as for Riplley, I thought he was going to do something daft out of his area, but in the end he saved us three points, Garrity is hit and miss, I hope he finds his true form soon, we are going to need him.Come on Vale you can do do it, if we had won against Colchester we would of been top of the league, then there would of been some pressure
Excellent away win at one of the favourites for automatic promotion. Moore continues to surprise with his team selections, and results which have surpassed expectations of some critical supporters. He seems intent on fully using the squad depth he’s assembled, and at this stage it looks to be paying off. Still no Nathan Smtih in match day squads. Is he injured or is there a contractual issue ?
Smith is training every time I pop down watch, the manager just doesn’t like him
It was a very good battling performance, Notts County were the better footballing team which was a little disappointing after all the money we have spent but at the end of the day, it’s results that count. The starting line up was a bit of a surprise and sign’s didn’t look good in the first 15minutes, but we rode our luck a little bit and in the closing stages could easily scored a couple of more goals. What Vale did do well was, by bulking out the middle of the pitch and forcing Notts out wide they just kept hitting high balls into our box, which was food and drink to our two then three big central defenders. It would be unfair to pick a man off the match as some lads ran their legs off with little reward and others sat in there . Really don’t understand the Chislett situation he’s still the joint leading goal scorer with the fewest starts. What more does he need to do?