Swindon Town 1-2 Port Vale: Ben Garrity scored twice to earn Port Vale their first win at the County Ground since 2005.
What did you think of the Port Vale performance? Have your say, scroll down and post a comment.
Manager Darrell Clarke made two changes with Devante Rodney and Lewis Cass coming in for Wilson and Martin. Neither of Swindon’s Vale old boys, Harry McKirdy and Anthony Grant, were in the Town squad – with Grant having played International football for Jamaica earlier in the week.
The Valiants started strongly with Devante Rodney sent clear but his shot was saved by the keeper. On fourteen minutes, Garrity headed at the keeper but he did better on 22 minutes when Worrall broke clear and his low cross was volleyed home by Garrity for his first goal for the club.
Another Worrall cross almost reverted in an own-goal while Swindon’s best effort came on 39 minutes when Covolan and Benning collided but Benning recovered to clear off the line with an overhead kick.
It was an excellent first-half display from Vale with their “game management” frustrating the home fans. There were strong performances from Rodney and Worrall as Vale ended the half on top.
Half-time: Swindon Town 0-1 Port Vale
However, it took the home side just two minutes to equalise in the second-half as Tyrese Simpson converted from Gilbert’s low cross. The home side then piled on the pressure as Gilbert forced a good save from Covolan and another Simpson effort hit the woodwork.
The Valiants had still been dangerous on the break and they retook the lead in dramatic fashion. Sub James Gibbons fired in a shot from the edge of the box which hit the post and Garrity was first to react as he fired the ball home with ten minutes remaining.
Swindon predictably tried to pile on the pressure in the closing stages and Vale were grateful for a superb Gibbons header off his line as they held on to record a rare away win at Swindon. It was a great away performance from the Valiants who bounced back from their home loss to Rochdale in style. There had been plenty of strong performances from the Vale side but a special mention to Ben Garrity whose energetic performance stood out and whose two goals won the match for Darrell Clarke’s side.
Full-time: Swindon Town 1-2 Port Vale
What did you think of the Port Vale performance? Have your say, scroll down and post a comment.
Match Stats
Port Vale: Covolan; Cass, Smith, Jones; Worrall, Pett, Garrity, Conlon, Benning (Gibbons); Rodney (Wilson), Proctor (Lloyd)
Subs: Stone, Taylor, Martin, Politic
Port Vale bookings: Tom Conlon
Attendance: 8,734 (233 away)
I bet Darrell Clarke is thanking his lucky stars. I couldn’t understand why last week against Rochdale he substituted Garrity at half-time when the lad had been very busy in the first half and certainly hadn’t deserved to be substituted, and to prove his worth in the team at the moment he goes out today and scores two goals.
Great result lads but remember we would like to see some of their good football at Vale Park. They have proved they can perform against the higher placed teams away from home and we now need to see something similar at the home games.