Free-scoring Port Vale made it fourteen goals in four Trophy games as they beat Barnsley on Tuesday evening. Here’s our match report.
Team News
As widely expected, manager Darren Moore made multiple changes for this game. It included a first start since early September for New Zealand striker Ben Waine, the return of George Byers to midfield and a start for veteran keeper Ben Amos in goal.
However, with four forwards in the eleven, before the match kicked off, it was anyone’s guess as to how the side would line-up.
Once again it looked an unbalanced selection. There were four forwards – Dejaune Brown, Mo Faal, Ruari Paton and Waine starting but no cover on the bench. That bench contained three central midfielders – Ojo, Shipley and Croasdale, which seemed excessive, as well as two centre-halves – Heneghan and Humphreys but no wingback cover.
George Byers – captain for the night
First-half
A much improved Port Vale attacking display saw them dominate proceedings in the first-half as it ended 2-0 to the Valiants.
Vale were on the front foot straight away. George Byers hit the bar on three minutes and two minutes later, Ruari Paton finished emphatically to give Vale the lead. After eight minutes, it was 2-0 with Paton again finishing confidently. On 16 minutes it was nearly three but Faal’s header found the side netting.
After that start, it was no surprise that the game drifted a little. Barnsley’s first chance fell to Cleary on 21 minutes but his low shot was comfortable for Amos. The same player had another opportunity three minutes later but it went over.
Vale were next to threaten. Brown’s overhead kick went wide as did Byers’ header from a Paton free-kick. Then Waine curled just wide as Vale finished strongly.
At the break, Darren Moore’s side were good value for their lead.
Half-time: Port Vale 2-0 Barnsley
Ruari Paton: lethal finishing
Second-half
Port Vale are now just three wins from a trip to Wembley as three second-half goals made victory assured at Vale Park.
The Valiants once again started strongly with Headley having the first chance as he drove wide. There was a second chance on the hour mark as Waine put Paton’s free-kick delivery over. Barnsley then came into the game on the hour mark. Debrah cleared off the line and Amos saved well as they pressed.
Vale were inviting pressure by sitting back but they made things easy with a quality finish by Dejaune Brown. Vale broke and Faal set Brown clear on 72 minutes. The striker still had a lot to do but he beat his man and calmly finished to make it 3-0.
It should have been 4-0 six minutes later but Ronan Curtis somehow shot against a defender with the goal at his mercy. It didn’t matter as Ben Waine made it 4-0 in the 79th minute with his first goal for the club. It was a fine curling effort after Humphreys’ driving run.
The fifth goal wasn’t as elegant. It was a toss-up between Debrah and a Barnsley player having the final touch from a corner with it eventually being given to the Vale defender.
It was game over as the Vale comfortably reached the next round.
Full-time: Port Vale 5-0 Barnsley
Ben Waine – on target
Analysis and Opinion
The match
Played in front of empty stands, there is always a noticeable lack of atmosphere for Trophy games. But progression – and the confidence and financial gains of doing so – is not to be taken lightly. Vale have found the target with relative ease in the Trophy and could do with transferring that finishing to the League – especially as many Vale fans will not be happy till the League form improves. But credit where credit’s due – this was a good result and performance.
The players
It’s always difficult to rate displays in Trophy games but this will have done Vale a lot of good. The forward line caused Barnsley no end of problems with Paton particularly impressive. Ben Waine and Dejaune Brown will also both benefit from finding the net. The midfield duo of Walters and Byers anchored things, the wingbacks were energetic, while Amos and his defence were untroubled for long periods. One worry will be the loss of Kyle John at half-time.
Star player
Ruari Paton
Summing up in a sentence
Attacking Vale hit Trophy goal trail.
Match stats
Team: Amos – John (Humphreys), Debrah, C.Hall (Heneghan), Headley – Byers (Ojo), Walters (Croasdale) – Waine, Paton (Curtis), Brown – Faal
Subs: Marosi, Shipley
Yellows: none
Reds: none
Goals: Paton (5, 8), Brown (72), Waine (78), Debrah (83)
Attendance: 653
Season stats
Your thoughts…
Debate the match on the dedicated match thread in the OVF forum
Or scroll down and post your comment at the bottom of this match report
Its gonna be interesting saturdays team selection best stick with this team me thinks
@Mick Rathbone I’d agree it will be interesting. The last time Paton scored two in a cup tie he was promptly dropped. I’d give him a run of games now as his workrate and attitude was top notch. We need a bit of consistency from the manager to allow partnerships to develop. It worked in the second-half of last season after all.
The 653 attendance confirms that supporters weren’t interested in this game, the club’s dire league position being their focus. It seemed another unbalanced starting selection, but 5-0 against a higher ranked League 1 team should at least give Moore and his squad a confidence boost. Perhaps the on looking owners will feel justified in their supportive “vote of confidence” for Moore. Arguably, it reinforces their stance. And, it’s a fact the club is now only three wins from the Trophy Wembley final. If Vale qualify I wonder how many supporters would attend.
Walking the dog missed Paton’s first goal Vale got off to a great start with his two early goals. Darren Moores crazy mixed up team worked bet Barnsley were taken by surprise with the Vale team starting the match. I would think everyone in Vale Park was taken by surprise at the line up.
As I said in the Valiant strange things can happen in Cup matches. I wonder what team Moore will put out on Saturday the whole team worked hard in all areas of the pitch creating space where they had struggled before this game.
Another performance like this on Saturday would see Vale through to the 3rd of the FA Cup and hopefully start a recovery in L1. The big question now is what happens to Darren Moore?
Well done Vale nice to see the shoot on site abit more tonight. Good to see Waine with a goal and an assist and worked hard up and down the pitch, they all worked for each other pleased with a clean sheet. Lets hope we are turning the corner so we can get up the table. We need to go again Saturday in the FA cup and then put the league form right, keep the faith we can do this Vale. Well done Darren Moore hope you prove the fans who doubt you wrong stay strong Vale. 57 years and still going VTID.
I have a idea , let’s make every game a Cup Game.
How refreshing to see the Vale take the game to the opposition ! Barnsley put out a strong side, but Vale’s quick, accurate passing and willingness to shoot on sight put them on the back foot. The second goal was excellent (as were several others) – Kyle John saw Paton in space, sent over a great pass and Paton does what he always tries to do, make space and get his shot away. Moore needs to reward some of these players from last night by playing them in league games – Brown was excellent – very strong and took his chance well, even Faal had a good game – Barnsley could not get the ball off him. I like Garrity and Cole, but they are not in form at present and others deserve their chance.
I missed this game, I did not see it on tv or listen to it on the radio, can anyone tell me what the Barnsley side put out as a team, was it youngsters or last team regulars, what a shock 5_0.
Wow this line up certainly made me eat my words & my previous comments look foolish with 4 superb goals have we by default found a line up that gives us a small chance of div 1 survival!!! However who can get into the manager’s head as for rating the team & subs last night every player was an 8 with Paton & Faal 9 so well done Vale keep making a foolout of me onwards & upwards & Mr Moore don’t know how you pulled that rabbit out of the hat UTV p
@Vale fan – it was a strong Barnsley line-up. The likes of McGoldrick, Cooper, Shepherd, Bland, Vickers, Connell and Watson (all L1 regulars) started and Keillor-Dunn came off the bench.
Rob thank you, this makes me think, I’m sorry Garrity is injured but the team has carried him this season.