It may have been coming for several weeks but now it’s official – Port Vale will play in League Two next season thanks to a dreadful 2023-24 season. The result on Saturday was incidental after results elsewhere condemned Vale to a return to the bottom tier.
Team news
Manager Darren Moore brought in youngster Rhys Walters to his starting eleven in place of Ryan Loft. Loft dropped to the bench alongside returning teenager Baylee Dipepa. Nathan Smith was picked for his 400th senior appearance for the club.
First-half
It was an opening 45 minutes that on the plus side saw Vale keep a clean sheet despite a considerable amount of Bolton pressure, but on the minus side it also saw Vale fail to create any clearcut chances.
On the other hand, there were plenty of chances for Bolton. Early opportunities fell for the dangerous Collins, who forced a save from Ripley and Charles hitting a close-range effort over. For the opening half-hour, Bolton continued to push without creating Vale’s defence too many concerns. There was a change for Vale on 30 minutes when Grant limped off to be replaced by teenager Shorrock.
Wanderers continued to up the pressure and there was a remarkable escape for Vale on 40 minutes when the ball beat Ripley, hit the post, rolled across the line but Vale somehow didn’t concede. Bolton continued to dominate possession but it was all-square at the break.
Half-time: Bolton 0-0 Port Vale
Second-half
It was another backs to the wall 45 minutes which saw Vale hold out until the 71st minute with the loss seeing the Valiants relegated to League Two.
There was a half-time change for Vale with Loft replacing Ikpeazu. Bolton continued to look for the opening and Thomason forced a great close-range save from Ripley early on. An excellent tackle from Shorrock in the box prevented another attack.
A Bolton break saw Charles force another good save from Ripley while another shot from Sheehan went just wide. Wanderers came even closer when they hit the bar on 64 minutes.
In a rare Port Vale attack, there was confusion in the Bolton box but Chislett dragged his shot wide. However, the deadlock was finally broken on 71 minutes when Aaron Collins’ curling shot beat Ripley. Vale countered with another Chislett effort going wide and a shot from Sang being saved.
However, Bolton made the game safe with (of all things) a former Stoke City striker hitting the final nail in the coffin. Cameron Jerome headed home from a late Wanderers attack to seal Vale’s fate. League Two awaits.
Full-time: Bolton 2-0 Port Vale
Closing thoughts
So, that’s it. This may have been a battling display but nevertheless Valiants’ relegation back to League Two has been finally confirmed thanks to results elsewhere.
To be fair to the Valiants this was a battling, backs to the wall performance with the defence repelling numerous attacks and Connor Ripley in fine form but it goes without saying that after striking the woodwork numerous times, Bolton were the better side and deserved the three points.
In a statement earlier this month CEO Matt Hancock said a full review of the season will be undertaken. It will be needed. Vale need to listen, learn and rebuilt ahead of their next season.
On the pitch, there needs to be a clear-out (no easy task with so many long-term contracts dished out), sensible recruitment and a balanced squad (with some strikers please) created. That is a tough ask and possibly an expensive one. The jury will also still be out on Darren Moore, who was also remarkably handed a five year deal. To be fair to Moore he really needs a transfer window before he can be judged but there will be short shrift if he isn’t presiding over some much improved performances next season. And if things don’t improve there will be many questions over his contract length.
There’s also the tricky task of rebuilding the club’s relationship with disenchanted fans. Let’s make no mistake, the owners have done much to improve the club both in terms of fanzone, community work, scoreboard, corporate facilities and community work. The owners are still supported by many fans but their reputation has been damaged by that open letter, unequivocal support for the Director of Football and by a perception of caring more for corporate folk than ordinary fans.
Perhaps now is the time to look at the experience for the ordinary fan especially those on the side opposite the club’s corporate suites who have had to suffer half the season with make-shift toilet facilities.
So what to do…
Well, if the club can hit the reset button on the football side, have a proper clear out, hand out sensible contracts, recruit properly and (off the pitch) focus on the everyday, diehard fans, that will be a good start. There’s no guarantee that Vale will bounce back straight away but if they can achieve those key goals then surely a better 2024-25 season will result.
Please note the following stats components may take a little while to update after the final whistle
Match stats
Port Vale: Ripley – Debrah, Smith, Iacovitti (Weir)- Sang, Ojo, Walters, Grant (Shorrock) – Chislett, Garrity (Dipepa) – Ikpeazu (Loft)
Unused subs: Leutwiler, Lopata, Massey
Vale bookings: Garrity
Vale goals: none
Attendance: TBC
No fight no passion no pride after the final whistle next week give them their p45s these players are not good enough
Today confirmed what everyone knew would happen a few weeks ago massive task ahead squad and manager seemingly not good rough not alot of room for recruitment due to lengthy contracts given to players who probably aren’t good enough to get us back at the first go also doesn’t appear to be much cash if any for new players so worrying what the future holds
A frustrating end to our spell in league 1 after all the hard work put in to get promotion.
I feel sorry for the fans because the vast majority of us think playing with wing backs isn’t the way to success.
I also have some sympathy with the young pros, who have come into a team without any leaders.
When are we going to have a team we can be proud of? I remember us being relegated from the Championship, it was disappointing but you somehow new that our chance would come again. A few tweaks to the squad and we go back up.
I feel that this isn’t going to happen next season unless the playing style changes to suit the players we’ve got.
Let’s be honest the writing was on the wall last season, our recruitment has been dreadful and the players brought in simply aren’t good enough. I would suggest that this set of players will struggle in league two. So what can we do? We need to get some additional financial backing which will allow us to bring in some quality, if we don’t we will struggle next season. The infrastructure of the club has been improved by the current owners but the playing staff as suffered as a result, this needs to be addressed immediately. Hopefully we can move forward and make Port Vale Football Club something to be proud of once again. I remain a loyal supporter and always will. Keep the faith but please don’t forget the loyal fans that follow Port Vale through thick and thin.
Simply not good enough. We gave ourselves a chance of staying up after good performance at Wigan, but since then shambolic, no pride and lack of effort from the majority. Ben Garrity us in my opinion the only player who comes out of thus season with any credit. The rest enough said. We need a leader for “the rebuild ” not Mr Motivator Moore who is “always dissapointed” . Enough supporters told the owners over and over again but we were not listened too. We have got our just deserts and now have league 2 to look forward to. Championship ready Carol!! At least it was a message not an open letter this time. Rant over. League 2 tour he we go.VTID
All the best to Port Vale, and here’s hoping they’re back in League One soon. It can be a good place to rebuild the Club. Remember DM managed to get Sheffield Wednesday promoted to the Championship last Season. I hope the loyal fans get behind DM and the Club. Taking the p*ss out of someone isn’t the answer; it just adds to the pressure. Good luck next season.
Personally I thought Vale did give it a go at Bolton and I’m not going to moan about anyone not trying or caring, although number of them are not good enough for this standard and I’m not sure they will be good enough for league two either. When you go to places like Bolton it just shows Vale are a million miles from these clubs, facilities and finance wise.