Ben Waine’s extra-time winner saw Vale down Championship side Bristol City and reach the FA Cup fifth round. Here’s our match report.
Team News
Jon Brady made four changes from the side which took on Luton Town in the League. Ethon Archer, loanee Martin Sherif, Jordan Shipley and Tyler Magloire come in with Jayden Stockley and Kyle John dropping to the bench and Funso Ojo and George Hall missing out on the match squad.
Vale included recent signings Onel Hernandez and Grant Ward on the bench alongside Andre Gray.
Ethon Archer – started
First-half
Striker Ben Waine had the three best chances as it finished goalless at the break in the FA Cup fourth round clash.
The first opportunity came to Waine from an Archer cross but his tenth minute header was saved. On 32 minutes there was an even better chnace as Waine got on the end of a through ball but his shot was saved by keeper Lumley. Another chance saw Connor Hall almost get his head on another cross.
The visitors enjoyed plenty of possession but Vale were working hard to deny them much in the way of chances. Joe Gauci was enjoying a decent game as he quickly dealt with any opportunities for the Championship side.
There was a third chance for Waine as the half drew to an end with Vale impressing against their higher placed opponents.
Half-time: Port Vale 0-0 Bristol City
Ben Waine – opportunities
Second-half
It was goalless at the end of normal time with neither side able to break the deadlock.
It was a slower second-half start by Vale and City were soon on the front foot. The Vale fans were also getting riled by decisions going against them.
A Vale free-kick saw Ethon Archer curl the ball wide before Bristol City had a couple of half chances. Seb Naylor broke but was shephered out for a corner by Tyler Magloire. There was then a good chance for Sam Bell on 69 minutes but his half-volley went over. Sinclair Armstrong, who had caused Vale’s defence problems, had the next chance but he was unable to find anyone with his cross after breaking clear.
Vale’s chances were more limited and Jon Brady brought on Onel Hernadez and Grant Ward for the final ten minutes of regular time. As the clock ticked down, a good run by Ben Waine forced a free-kick but Jordan Shipley was unable to trouble the keeper. There was also a late chance for Bristol City as Scott Twine pounced on a loose ball but Gauci was solid once again.
It was goalless after five minutes of additional time with a further 30 minutes of extra-time to follow.
Full-time: Port Vale 0-0 Bristol City
Tyler Magloire – solid at the back
Extra-time
It continued to be a game of few chances in the extra-time. Vale were battling and working hard through-out. However, there was yet another chance for Ben Waine. The lively forward pounced on a back-pass but his shot was intercepted on the line.
Tyler Magloire’s game came to an end on 99 minutes when he was replaced after a spell of cramp. It had been a good performance from the defender.
At half-time in extra-time it was still goalless.
Vale were grateful to Connor Hall early in the second period as he blocked Sam Bell. It was Gauci who was next to shine as he made a good save from Tomi Horvat’s free-kick.
However, it was Vale who did finally find the target when Waine rounded the keeper after a superb through ball from Andre Gray. This time there was no goal-line clearance and Vale were almost there…
The Valiants managed it despite a golden chance to equalise for the visitors. Mark Sykes completely mis-hit a chance which it looked easier to score. But Vale wouldn’t care as they played out the remaining minutes to record a memorable fourth round win.
Extra-time: Port Vale 1-0 Bristol City
Ben Waine – late winner
Analysis and Opinion
The match
The long-suffering Vale fans were cheered by the side’s first-half display with the home side having the better of the opening 45 minutes. The performance wasn’t as eye catching in the second-half but it was still credit to Port Vale to keep their more illustrious opponents to half chances. It was fitting that Ben Waine, who had troubled the City defence all night should score a late winner. After all the heartache this season, Vale had managed to reach the fifth round against all the odds.
The players
Goalkeeper Joe Gauci put in one of his best performances while Tyler Magloire also looked comfortable at the back. Ben Waine was again a danger upfront and thoroughly deserved his goal. As the game went on, it was the Vale defence to the fore with Connor Hall and Cam Humphreys both having solid games. A minor positive of the additional time was a chance to give minutes to the likes of Hernandez, Gray and Ward. A major positive was another goal for Ben Waine and an unexpected place in the next round.
Star player
It’s unfair to single one out – this was a really good team performance – but Ben Waine perhaps shades it.
Summing up in a sentence
A cup night to remember in a season of gloom.
Match stats
Team: Gauci – Magloire (Campbell), Humphreys, C.Hall – Gabriel (John), Walters (Ward), Shipley, Gordon (Headley) – Archer (Hernandez), Sherif (Gray), Waine
Subs: Amos, Stockley, Brown
Yellows: Gabriel, Walters, Humphreys
Reds: none
Goals: Waine (112 minutes)
Attendance: 4,611 (1,626 visitors)
Season stats
Your thoughts…
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Highly unexpected win against a competitive Championship team. Defensive organization and sheer effort to grind out a remarkable win in extra time. A clear endorsement of Brady’s impact and progress with the squad, now clearly playing for each other. With Sunderland used to only playing on bowling green type surfaces, perhaps a soaking of the maligned Vale Park pitch should be arranged to welcome the esteemed top flight visitors for the weekend 5th Round tie !
Since Brady’s arrival the work rate, and battling spirit has been plain to see, but tonight for me there were the first signs of real organisation. Backed by Gauci who was catching everything and dominating his area, even his kicking has improved and he is starting to look a very good young keeper. The two lads in the middle of midfield battled hard, their passing could have been better at times, but a long with the forward line they ran their legs off. Pushing up and closing Bristol down at every opportunity, it was a joy to watch. Another pleasing aspect was every substitute who came on, just blended in and the work rate and momentum never wavered. It would have been nice to make a few more chances from open play but that’s just nitpicking. When the performance matches the result you know you’ve had a good night. So many star men on the night, but I’d have to go with Gauci, a good keeper gives everyone a life and confidence.
Great result.well done Vale think we should blast out Down Under by men at work for JB and BW great tune bit of fun .Go on Vale do it!!!
Sorry that should’ve been Lift and Comfidence.
Well well what a performance we were watching a team that played for the manager the fan’s the club themselves their pride what a turn around from the previous regime & the new players really impressed & the likes of old hands such Connor Hall & the impressive Joe Gauci at last time to stick out our chest with pride at the all round performance fighting spirit & on the old style pitch some little skill well done & thank you to all concerned for creating some nice memories UTV