Reaction from Darren Moore, Ronan Curtis, Kyle John and opposition boss Stuart Maynard after Port Vale’s 1-0 win over Notts County on Thursday evening.
After a poor first-half, Vale came into the game in the second-half and won it thanks to a late goal from sub Ronan Curtis.
Here’s what they had to say:
Port Vale manager Darren Moore
“It was a real interesting game. We thought first half, we just allowed them a bit too much space. Second half, we got closer to them.
“I think what we did was just sat back and with Notts County, you just can’t.
“The connection with the team and the supporters had just been shelved a little bit and this season, we wanted to bring that back.
“That connection has been solidified.
“The magnitude of the game shows the work we’ve done at the club is the right work.
“We recruit the team to be adaptable to this league and we showed that tonight.”
Goalscorer Ronan Curtis
“It was a great ball in from Tully (Lorent Tolaj). I thought I’d take it down on my chest and hit it cause why not? Thankfully it went in and we won the game.
“I just give 100% and hopefully it comes off for the lads which it did.
“We’ve got to take it game by game and hopefully keep knocking them back and move onto the next one and keep pushing.
“Salford (Vale’s next opponents) are up there and fighting and trying to get play-offs or promotion and it’s so tight so we’ve got to focus on ourselves.”
Wingback Kyle John
“It was the best way to celebrate (my birthday), what a birthday and a great three points.
“They’re a very tough team and they work well. The manager said to work hard and we did that and we got the three points so I’m made up.
“He told us to up the tempo and put them under pressure and get the press right and I thought we did that.”
Notts County manager Stuart Maynard
“Games are won in both boxes. We were excellent all the way to the final third then had two big moments inside the six yard box. They have to be in the goal. It should be 1-0 and probably 2-0, and then it’s a totally different game.
“We knew they would have a spell in the second half. They are at home, the crowd has got behind them, and they kept getting it into the front man, setting it and getting it down the sides. Lots of crosses started to come into the box. It dropped to him (Curtis) at the back post and you have to give him credit, he has taken his chance really well.”
3 points and we move on to next game at home to Salford. Backs to the wall last night at times but we keep going for the full ninety plus minutes. Keep the faith and top three within reach. Curtis is a real poacher and he as mobility and pace to worry any defender.
Fantastic result got the double over them enjoy the moment then concentrate on Salford hope the injuries aren’t to serious. With all respect to Stockley Curtis surtainly opened the game up well done lads
Great result best game this season two great teams at the top of their game
Once again, Curtis showed his quality to justify a starting position in the team.
Got let off the hook in the first half with a lacklustre performance.They need to start the matches how they finish them to stand any chance of getting promotion.Maybe the the substitution of Stockley for Curtis has by chance shown the way forward,maybe a bit more mobility is required, not in every game though
Nice to see a manager in Stuart Maynard act graciously in defeat. You don’t get wins without goals and he’s spot on about the chances wasted in the first half. The finish from Curtis was lovely. Chest down and strike in one movement is a tough skill but caught the keeper off guard