A last-gasp winner by sub Ben Waine saw Vale down bogey club Bolton to win in the Football League Trophy knock-out stages. Here’s our match report.
Team News
Jon Brady brought back Funso Ojo and Jordan Gabriel, who had been sidelined by injury, into his starting line-up. There were also starts for goalkeeper Ben Amos, defenders Kyle John and Jaheim Headley, forwards Ruari Paton, Mo Faal and Dejaune Brown.
There was also the welcome return of another absentee, Liam Gordon, onto the bench alongside the likes of Jayden Stockley, George Hall and Ben Heneghan.
Funso Ojo – welcome return
First-half
It was goalless at the break with defender Jordan Gabriel having the best chance of the half.
It was a cagey start with a couple of half-chances for the home side the only incidents of note within the first 15 minutes. Vale’s first chance came when Paton and Headley linked up on the left but Brown was unable to control the cross from close range. Brown had another opportunity on 27 minutes when he was set up by Croasdale but again his effort was blocked.
There was concern on the half-hour mark when Kyle John received extensive treatment.
The best chance for Vale came on 35 minutes. Good play by Paton, Croasdale and Brown set up Gabriel whose thumping shot was well saved. Minutes later, Paton saw a free-kick go just over the bar and Mo Faal missed a good chance from a close range header as Vale had a decent spell.
However, Bolton had a great chance of their own on 42 minutes but Ben Amos produced a fine save from Morley. The half finished with a fierce drive from Paton which went wide. It was level at the break with it all to play for in the second 45 minutes.
Half-time: Bolton 0-0 Port Vale
Jordan Gabriel – fierce shot
Second-half
Vale rode their luck in the second-half as Bolton had strong claims for a late penalty turned down and Jon Brady’s side struck a late winner to progress to the quarter-finals.
The Valiants made a triple change at the break. Mitch Clark, Ben Heneghan and the returning Liam Gordon coming on for Gabriel, Humphreys and Headley. Heneghan was soon into the action with an important header to clear one Bolton attack as the home side started the half purposefully. Vale were under pressure but the Wanderers could not initially create any clearcut chances.
Bolton had a great chance to go ahead on 55 minutes when Dacres-Cogley broke clear but despite Amos being on the edge of his area, the keeper was still able to block the effort. There was a blow for Vale on the hour mark as Faal was forced off injured. Vale had another half chance on 68 minutes but Heneghan couldn’t get on the end of Paton’s set-play. However, overall it was poor fare for the fans with little quality on show.
There was a good shout for a penalty for Bolton on 83 minutes when Ojo clearly wrestled a player to the ground in his own box but Vale luckily got away with it.
It looked like the game was going to penalties but Vale’s subs combined. George Hall did excellent down the right and he crossed for fellow sub Ben Waine to convert from close range. Vale could even have made it two but Brown’s late effort was saved. Nevertheless, despite that win Vale were through to the next round.
Full-time: Bolton 0-1 Port Vale
Ben Waine – late winner
Analysis and Opinion
The match
With Trophy games played in near empty stadia it is always difficult to get a good atmosphere and this was no different. Both sides looked short of confidence at times. The defences were stretched at times and a side with more quality than Vale could well have punished Bolton in the first-half.
In the second-half, Bolton started the stronger with a series of chances. The home side targeted Vale’s left flank and the returning Liam Gordon but Vale (despite making three changes to their defence at half-time) held firm. As the half progressed, Vale came more into it. They rode their luck when Bolton should have got a spot-kick but thanks to a cameo from George Hall they snatched an unlikely win.
The players
Jaheim Headley was impressive in forward positions. Funso Ojo and Rhys Walters both slotted seamlessly into the midfield. Jordan Gabriel had a useful 45 minutes runout though he did look a bit ring rusty. One negative was that the forward three did not link up as effectively as one would have hoped. Of those forwards, Brown showed some neat touches and control while deployed on the right. However, arguably the most impressive in the first-half was Ryan Croasdale, who was playing in a more advanced role and finding pockets of space.
In the second-half Vale were under more pressure. Credit to Vale’s subs while a rusty Liam Gordon was targeted, Ben Heneghan and Mitch Clark were impressive and late subs Waine and Hall won the game. Hall, in particular, caught the eye with some impressive forward play late on.
Star player
He was only on for a short time but George Hall’s cameo was crucial.
Summing up in a sentence
Brady’s bunch grab late win in controversial cup clash.
Match stats
Team: Amos – Gabriel (Clark), John, Humphreys (Heneghan), Headley (Gordon) – Croasdale, Walters, Ojo – Paton (G.Hall), Brown, Faal (Waine)
Subs: Marosi, Stockley
Yellows: Croasdale
Reds: none
Goals: Waine (90)
Attendance: TBC
Season stats
Your thoughts…
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George hall is a starting 11 for me John, if you can do that for me that be great But v pleased with the performance tonight boys. Please please keep it up
Said it before George Hall is class! Let’s take this momentum to mansfield on Saturday.
Another clean sheet and a surprise win in what has been a pleasing season in all Cup competitions, winning nine and drawing one of the eleven games. Wouldn’t be surprised if Vale draw Stockport in the Quarter Final. Brady’s team selection was satisfying too with the return of injured players, especially Gabriel who I regard as one of League 1’s best right backs. With the addition return of Shorrock and Plant from loans, Brady has a big squad to sift and sort his best team. That said the league game at in form Mansfield looks a tough assignment.
AT LAST WE HAVE A MANAGER WITH A BRAIN !!! I’ve been saying all season Croasdale/Ojo/Walters should be our starting 3 central midfielders. It’s just a good mix, Walters can sit in there, then you have the athleticism of Croasdale and Ojo, both have very good engines, Ojo is our best footballer while Croasdale has a goal in him. It’s a very good win although I’d be happy to be out of the competition to concentrate on league one survival. It’s strange how everyone’s is fit and keen now Moore has gone, it does give you hope !!
Proud of you Vale every player put in a shift What else can I say
Great result,HALL AND AMOS should be in every starting line up,starting saturdaya 1-0 scrappy 90th minute winner will have me believing,in the new boss