Vale overcame the absence of key players Ben Garrity, Jayden Stockley, Lorent Tolaj and Jaheim Headley to record a home win over Salford. Unsung duo Antwoine Hackford and Rakeem Harper were the scorers. It means the side remain unbeaten in 2025. Here’s our match report.
Team news
There were a number of changes to the Vale starting line-up as Jaheim Headley, Ben Garrity, Lorent Tolaj and Jayden Stockley all missed out. There were starts for Ronan Curtis, Sam Hart and Antwoine Hackford. Ethan Chislett was named on the subs bench.
First-Half
A rare moment of quality created a goal for Antwoine Hackford during what was generally a dour first-half performance at Vale Park.
The Valiants had a couple of early chances which fell to Ryan Croasdale and Ronan Curtis but it took until thirty minutes for there to be a clear chance.
It fell Vale’s way as Ronan Curtis’ cross was met by the head of Hackford at close range but Salford keeper Jones made a superb 32nd minute save.
However, the same combination broke the deadlock for the Valiants in the 43rd minute. Curtis shielded the ball and placed it into the path of the onrushing Hackford who slotted it home to give Darren Moore’s side a half-time lead.
Half-time: Port Vale 1-0 Salford City
Second-Half
A first League goal from Rakeem Harper earned Vale all three points although they had to weather some nervy moments after Salford pulled one back from the penalty spot.
Vale started the half well with a Sam Hart cross just evading the head of Ronan Curtis. However, six minutes into the half, they doubled their lead thanks to good play by Kyle John. John’s low ball into the box ricocheted into the path of Rakeem Harper who beat the keeper.
It looked like it would be comfortable for the Valiants after that. John nearly made it three from Hackford’s cross while the ball stuck in Curtis’ feet from another good chance.
However, the visitors came back into it when Byers’ wayward tackle created a penalty. Adelakun scored from the spot-kick on 75 minutes to give Vale a nervy last fifteen minutes.
Vale held on to record a welcome three points and to continue their unbeaten 2025 run. However, there was controversy at the end as Curtis was dismissed after the final whistle for violent conduct.
Full-time: Port Vale 2-1 Salford City
Summary
Considering how many high profile players were missing, this was a good win for the Valiants. It wasn’t the most thrilling game and there were periods of low quality but the three points will be welcome. It means Vale have now won four home League matches in a row. One concern will be Curtis’ red card – Vale’s third in recent games – which will potentially weaken their forward options even further.
Players
This was a good performance all round, but credit to some of the lesser sung players – Hart, Hackford and Harper – who all had good games. Ronan Curtis was the sponsors’ man of the match and had a good game before he blotted his copybook with his late dismissal. However, a word for wingback Kyle John who was also impressive. On the negative side, sub Umolu looks like he needs more gametime to adjust to the pace of League Two.
Stats
Starting XI: Amos – Debrah, Smith, Hall – John (Heneghan), Harper (Chislett), Croasdale, Hart (Shorrock) – Byers – Curtis, Hackford (Umolu)
Subs: Broome, Lowe,
Goals: Hackford, Harper
Dismissal: Ronan Curtis
Attendance: TBC
Competition: League Two
What did you think of the game and the performance? Scroll down and submit a comment.
Umolu doesn’t need more game time. Inept and worse, lazy. Send him back to his parent club.
Ten minutes after he came on Lorne Street had had enough of him.
I don’t agree with the comment about Umolu at all. In fact, I think that because the usual loan boo boy Hackford had a good game, some fans have latched onto another young loanee as their new boo boy. A player who hasn’t even managed 90 minutes of gametime for us over his four sub appearances.
Is it really a balanced judgement to label someone lazy and to send them back when they haven’t even managed 90 mins for the club? Perhaps it’s time to give a rookie teenager the benefit of the doubt and a chance before castigating him?
After all, weren’t some people saying Hackford should be sent back a few weeks ago?
Obviously training seems to be a problem as more players are picking up injuries in training than when playing in league games. This needs to be addressed as does some of our nonsensical red cards. At this stage of the season the players should not need full contact training, and only need minimal ball work. Also discipline needs to be addressed asap or the season may fall apart.
The Run goes on, but we are running out of strikers. The decision to let Paton go out on loan is now a puzzling idea. Keep the faith but up front now looks weak.
Usually agree with Rob F … but I’m sorry Umolu isn’t ready for league two football. It’s patently not fair on him.
It’s not about being kind or charitable …. He needs to learn his craft in non league.
I’m sorry , I’m usually upbeat, optimistic supporter but we must do what’s best for Vale and the supporters
On the plus note Hackford had his best game for the club and the unbeaten run goes on.
@David Walklate – on reflection you make a good point and I’d like to expand my earlier point. I think the comment which riled me was labelling a youngster “lazy” when he’s only played a few minutes. Tactically unaware, making the wrong runs, not ready – yes, I can accept. But the labelling of a youngster as lazy presumably on the basis of half an hour’s play was uncalled for, I felt.
I still think the way to address inexperience is well, experience, and personally I think we should reserve judgement until more games are played (every player has an off day after all). Look at Hackford – he still frustrates but he looks a far better player now than at the start of his spell. That has to be down to minutes on the pitch.
Perhaps the issue is a wider one – which is the lack of experienced cover for Stockley, especially with Paton out on loan.
Deserved win, and it should have been more , but what a stupid decision from Curtis to get himself sent off when the game was won. If I was Moore, I’d give him a roasting . Get a grip on that disciplinary record , Darren , or else every ref in League Two will be saying , “ Oh Port Vale this week, they’re good for a red card “. Disgraceful behavior . Just walk away .
Thought Connor Hall had good game gave it his all, Sick of one sided refs.
Recall Paton.
Vale’s hard work to maintain their promotion push threatens to be derailed due to injuries. Credit for securing another vital three points without absent Clark, Headley, Garrity, Stockley, Tolaj, with Curtis to join them through suspension. Squad now really stretched. It’ll be a real achievement to keep the unbeaten run going with these players out.
Referees seem to have it in for us these past few seasons. I’d certainly if I was Darren Moore be certainly sending a letter to the FA to address this as too many one sided games this season. Too many lust here. Also Darren Moore needs address the disciplinary record of the team and not to be provoked by the opposition and just walk away. Great 3 points but side looks weak in the forward areas and time recall Paton from Dundee United.
Brilliant battling performance from Vale!
I’ve watched the sending off again this morning, bizarre decision by the ref!
If they could recall paton I think it would be done by now but as mentioned a couple of weeks ago loans are now until the end of the season so he stays at dundee
Why is it that so many players are getting injured in training. Now we are looking thin on the ground up front and we are coming to the business end of the season. Why do we send so many out on loan and bring in virtual kids who have no League experience.