In-form Ben Waine scored his third goal in three games as the Valiants grabbed the headlines with a FA Cup giantkilling. Here’s our match report.
Team News
Port Vale manager Jon Brady named a pacy attacking frontline with Ben Waine partnered by Ethon Archer and (somewhat surprisingly) loanee Dejaune Brown. The back three comprised Kyle John, Cam Humphreys and Connor Hall while Funso Ojo and Rhys Walters patterned up in central midfield.
A packed nine man bench included Andre Gray, George Hall and Jordan Shipley, among others. However, striker Jayden Stockley was missing from the Port Vale squad.
Sunderland boss Regis le Bris made two changes to the side which defeated Leeds United in the Premier League in midweek. Chris Rigg and Chemsdine Talbi came in for Trai Hume and Noah Sadiki.
Dajaune Brown – handed a start
First-half
Port Vale were leading their Premier League opponents Sunderland at the break with in-form striker Ben Waine on target once again. It was an excellent first-half display from Vale.
There were early chances for both sides. Connor Hall’s effort from an early corner was saved and Archer almost robbed the keeper when the ball bobbled. The best chance fell to Sunderland on three minutes when Gauci missed a corner and the ball was cleared off the line by Kyle John.
As the game reached the twenty minute mark, Vale were working hard and matching their more illustrious opponents. The pitch was forcing a long ball game from both sides and the Valiants had restricted the Premier League side to just that third minute effort as the clock reached the half-way stage of the first-half.
Vale started a period of pressure on 23 minutes and there was an extraordinary moment when a bizarre overhit pass by O’Nien was headed over by Sunderland keeper Ellborg. Vale then forced a series of corners and Newcastle fan Ben Waine was on hand from one to head the ball past Ellborg and give Vale a shock lead on 28 minutes. Sunderland and Vale were rocking but for very different reasons.
Vale kept their heads and an “injury” to Gauci gave the team a chance to take on fluids and regroup after such a dramatic passage of play.
Sunderland had a great opportunity on 33 minutes. Sunderland broke, Gauci came out and was rounded but the shot went wide from Diarra. Humphreys made a great header to prevent another chance soon afterwards.
There was a half chance for Vale on 39 minutes but Brown’s effort from Archers low ball went wide. Sunderland countered but Gauci made a decent save at his near post on 41 minutes to deny Diarra. The same player went inches close on 44 minutes with Gauci beaten.
That concluded the action and Vale were leading at the break!
Half-time: Port Vale 1-0 Sunderland
Ben Waine – on target again
Second-half
The Valiants held on for the second 45 minutes as they reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after a memorable display at Vale Park.
There was a half-time change at the break with Tyler Magloire replacing Cam Humphreys. Sunderland had the first effort of the half but Talbi’s shot was well over. It sparked a period of pressure with Gabriel clearing off the line after Gauci was beaten and the Vale keeper saving the follow-up.
With ten minutes played, Vale were still ahead and not unduly under pressure. Just before the hour mark there was a double switch with Gray and George Hall replacing Brown and Archer. Both Brown and Archer had put in a real shift on the pitch.
Controversially, on 62 minutes Sunderland keeper Ellborg was only given a yellow when he blatantly brought down George Hall when he looked ready to score. It should have been red. Jon Brady was booked for his protests. Sub Hall was causing Sunderland all sorts of problems with his pace on the break.
On 67 minutes, Ballard headed over the Vale bar from a corner and there was a superb reflex save from Gauci on 69 minutes to deny another chance. The Australian then made another fine save to deny Ballard from another corner.
On 73 minutes there was a superb tackle from captain John to deny another Sunderland break. Vale were putting in 100% effort to maintain their lead.
There was a near miss on 79 minutes when Sunderland struck the post from Nilson Angulo’s close range effort when he should really have hit the target. Vale countered with a great ball from Ojo who fed Hall but he couldn’t find the target.
Vale continued to match Sunderland and sub Gray almost made it two in additional time. The Valiants were now moments away from a memorable win.
As the whistle blew there were mass celebrations. Vale had held on to record arguably their best FA Cup performance since the days of club legend John Rudge. It was a tremendous performance as the magic of the cup returned to Burslem.
Port Vale. FA Cup quarter-finalists. It has a nice ring to it.
Full-time: Port Vale 1-0 Sunderland
George Hall – brought down by keeper
Analysis and Opinion
The match
It was a boisterous atmosphere at Vale Park and it was played on a pitch which was lightyears from what Sunderland would usually play on. Credit to manager Jon Brady whose side were tactically spot-on and for the players who put in 100% effort. Vale more than matched their illustrious opponents and took advantage of the key opportunity when man of the moment Ben Waine netted a memorable header. It was simply a superb performance by the Valiants.
The players
What a great performance. The whole team deserve an awful lot of credit for this display. A few highlights. Funso Ojo really rose to the occasion with an all-action display. Joe Gauci looked nervy at first but grew into the game and produced some fine saves. The back three commanded their area. Jordan Gabriel caught the eye with some runs. George Hall was lively as a sub. Ben Waine was once again the matchwinner.
Those were only a handful of the performances I noticed and it’s worth repeating – it was a tremendous display by everyone in a Vale shirt.
Star player
10/10 for every Vale player. I’d give it to all of them.
Summing up in a sentence
Forget the League as Brady’s bunch serve up a memorable giantkilling.
Match stats
Team: Gauci – John, Humphreys (Magloire), C.Hall – Gabriel, Walters, Ojo, Gordon (Campbell) – Waine (Ward), Brown (Gray), Archer (G.Hall)
Subs: Amos, Headley, Shipley, Ward, Hernandez
Yellows: Brown, Waine, Brady
Reds: none
Goals: Waine (28)
Attendance: 10,685
Season stats
Your thoughts…
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No words
An excellent performance from everyone, we’ve started to look a real team. I just hope this performance can be take into the battle for league one survival. Brady certainly has started to bring the best out of this squad. You can’t believe Moore refused to play Ojo and Walters, the clown should have gone months sooner.