Carlisle Utd 2-1 Port Vale report – Garrity goal in vain as Vale lose it late on

Poor defending saw Port Vale let slip a one goal lead as they lost to bottom of the table Carlisle United on New Year’s Day.

Team news

Manager Andy Crosby named an unchanged line-up keeping faith with teenage wingbacks Jack Shorrock and Ben Lomax. Gavin Massey returned to the bench.

First-half

The Valiants were grateful to goalkeeper Connor Ripley in the first forty five as the stopper pulled off a number of saves to prevent the home side taking the lead.

The first effort saved came from dangerman Gibson after just two minutes but Ripley was also on hand to save from Maguire and also tip over a Garner effort. Carlisle also had an effort from Charters on forty minutes that went inches wide of the post with Ripley beaten.

With the home side on top for much of the first-half, Vale chances were few and far between. Uche Ikpeazu saw a couple of efforts go well wide while Chislett put a snapshot wide.

The Valiants had done well to keep it goalless, however, the youth of wingbacks Lomax and Shorrock was evident with both teenagers not featuring much. The Vale also had to replace Jesse Debrah, who limped off to be replaced by Alex Iacovitti.

Second-half

The game came to life in the second period. Vale made a change taking off both teenagers and it looked to pay instant dividends. Good work from sub Conor Grant and Ethan Chislett set up Ben Garrity in the box and his shot put Vale into the lead on 49 minutes. It was a goal against the run of play but a well worked one.

The home side countered with an effort from Gibson that went wide while there were appeals for a penalty which wasn’t given. Vale nearly made it 2-0 on the hour mark. Good play from Nathan Smith set up James Wilson whose shot was blocked with Chislett unable to follow-up.

The home side then brought on former Vale players Danny Butterworth and Ryan Edmondson and equalised on 79 minutes when Smith fouled in the box. Jordan Gibson gave Ripley no chance from the spot.

The game could go either way now but it was the home side who were pushing the most for a winner. Vale did have chances on the break but Carlisle’s pressure told in added-on time when Jon Mellish headed home from a corner. Vale’s last chance was a free-kick which Chislett put over as their trip to Cumbria ended in disappointment.

Player notes

After a few shaky games, it was good to see Connor Ripley back in form. Ben Garrity also put a huge shift and was on the mark yet again. Alfie Devine also flourished in his more withdrawn role. Uche Ikpeazu was a handful again while Baylee Dipepa also looked bright when on a sub. However, ultimately it was a combination of home side pressure but also a succession of Vale injuries, with two of the back three replaced, which contributed to this loss. Vale’s squad still lacks some strength in depth especially when Garrity is forced off.

Closing thoughts

After the buzz of the Blackpool win, this was a sobering loss for the Valiants and one which saw several key players – Debrah, Garrity and Devine – pick up knocks. For all the promise of the three teenagers, Vale could probably do with some more experienced heads in their squad for games like this. There’s probably three things Vale need to contemplate after this loss – firstly keeping their fingers crossed that key players like Garrity are not ruled out for long, secondly, look at the transfer window to strengthen their squad and thirdly look to bounce back against Charlton at Vale Park.