A late first-half goal from Jayden Stockley proved crucial as Jon Brady enjoyed a happy return to Sixfields stadium. Here’s our match report.
Team News
Port Vale manager Jon Brady handed a full debut to loanee Martin Sherif, who scored the equaliser on Saturday. Ben Heneghan was also recalled to the defence, but Jordan Shipley dropped to the bench where he joined youngster Rhys Walters.
The team was captained by defender Kyle John again and the Valiants had some firepower on the bench with Ben Waine and Andre Gray available to be called upon.
Skipper Ben Garrity and midfielder George Byers remained on the sidelines with injuries. Meanwhile, there was no place in the squad for either Dejaune Brown or Jaheim Headley.
Martin Sherif – started
First-half
Port Vale scored with the last play of the half as Jayden Stockley gave them a half-time lead at Sixfields.
It was a low quality opening that was disrupted by an early injury break. The home side had the early pressure with one corner causing the Vale defence issues. The Valiants were struggling for possession and suffered an early blow when the recalled Heneghan was forced off after 20 minutes. Almost immediately Vale had their first chance. Stockley flicked the ball on for Sherif but his shot was blocked. From the following move, Ojo blazed over.
There was another lengthy injury break on the half-hour mark with neither side yet having a shot on target. Gauci nearly gifted a chance on 36 minutes when he mis-controlled the ball but he was just able to clear. There was a further chance for the home side on 38 minutes when Hoskins failed to connect with a cross from the lively Guinness-Walker. Three minutes later Eaves similarly failed to connect with another cross.
However, with the game into seven minutes of additional time due to the injuries, Vale took the lerad with their first shot on target. Stockley won a header and then was on hand to latch on to the loose ball and his low drive beat the keeper. It was advantage Vale at the break.
Half-time: Northampton Town 0-1 Port Vale
Jayden Stockley – on target
Second-half
A toothless home side were unable to claw a goal back as a resilient Port Vale defence closed out the second 45 minutes to record a win.
In the early stages of the second-half, Stockley proved his worth in his own box as he blocked an early Northampton effort. He was soon in action in the other box but he wasted a glorious opportunity when found unmarked from a 52nd minute free-kick. The forward could only aim a weak header at the keeper.
As the game approached the hour mark, the home side started to press for an equaliser but Vale were resolute in their defensive play. There were three changes on the hour mark with Shipley replacing Archer, Walters replacing George Hall and Gray replacing Sherif. It was clear that Brady wanted to shore things up and try and maintain a clean sheet. To some surprise, Northampton countered by replacing the lively Guinness-Walker. By this stage, Town had still not managed a shot on target.
To be fair to Joe Gauci, who had looked shaky in the first-half, the Australian keeper was solid in coming out for numerous Northampton crosses in the second period. Despite a lot of defensive work, Vale should have doubled their lead on 69 minutes. Sub Andre Gray superbly lost his man in the box but Stockley couldn’t quite turn the ball home.
Northampton missed another chance on 72 minutes when substitute Swyer fired wide from close range. Meanwhile, Vale brought on the pace of Ben Waine to replace a tiring Stockley with fifteen minutes to go. Waine managed an excellent break on 86 minutes and he found fellow sub Gray who could only fire wide.
The home fans were getting increasingly discontent with their side’s performance and Vale were able to close the game out to record a well earned away win.
Full-time: Northampton Town 0-1 Port Vale
Kyle John – skipper saw his side record a win
Analysis and Opinion
The match
In a match played between two struggling sides, there really wasn’t much quality on display. Vale had opted for strength both in defence and attack and as a result they did resort to the aerial route on occasions. It was almost a throwback formation in the first-half with Archer and Hall providing pace and trickery while the big men – Stockley and Sherif – waited for the cross. Sadly, the delivery often lacked quality.
As the game progressed, Vale shut up shop. It was sensible tactics by Jon Brady. It meant the game was scrappy and nervy but Vale showed plenty of resolve, desire and put in plenty of effort in defending their lead. It was scrappy, it wasn’t pretty but it was still three points.
The players
Captain Kyle John was good once again while Funso Ojo continued his decent recent form. Connor Hall was also excellent in defence. I also thought Elijah Campbell had his best game so far on the left. On the negative side, it has to be said that Gauci did not inspire confidence with some of his handling in the first-half but he got better as the game progresses. Upfront the physicality Stockley, Sherif (and subsequently Gray) brought caused the home side problems. Stockley did really well both upfront and when called on to defend.
Star player
Jayden Stockley
Summing up in a sentence
Brady’s happy return as Vale win away.
Match stats
Team: Gauci – Humphreys, Heneghan (Gabriel), C.Hall – John, Ojo (Gordon), G.Hall (Walters), Campbell – Archer (Shipley), Stockley (Waine), Sherif (Gray)
Subs: Amos
Yellows: none
Reds: none
Goals: Stockley (45+8)
Attendance: TBC
Season stats
Your thoughts…
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The fantastic team work and effort were to be applauded…. What a battling display. Come on Steve McQueen get that motorbike started
Escaping the drop still seems virtually impossible, but this battling win at least gives supporters hope for improvement. Settled team, formation and tactics probably offers the best chance of consistent results and putting pressure on teams immediately above them.
A dire game,keepers could have watched from the stands,but i will take the same again saturday,STOCKLEY,my man of match,not just for the great goal,but for his defensive work,every set piece they chucked in the box ,who was there,STOCKLEY, sub gray to me looks like he needs-to lay off the pies a bit,,,,,other than that WELL DONE VALE
Thank you thank you Vale how different it feels when you win, When Sherif missed early on and Gauci nearly gave the ball to Northampton in his are , I thought it was going to be one of those games again.Northampton reminded me a lot of the Vale, they could not hit a barn door thankfully, Thank you Vale team