Port Vale 1-0 Chesterfield – impressive Valiants record first League win at home

Darren Moore’s side made it two wins in a row in League Two thanks to Ethan Chislett’s first-half winner at Vale Park.

Team news

Manager Darren Moore unsurprisingly named an unchanged line-up for the game. It meant first home starts for George Byers and Jayden Stockley. Midfielder Ryan Croasdale was named on the bench after missing the win over Newport County through illness.

First-half

A dominant Port Vale display saw them leading at the break thanks to a goal from Ethan Chislett.

The visitors had a couple of early efforts for Dobra but after that it was one way traffic as Vale took control.

Lorent Tolaj had a shot on the turn blocked and Ethan Chislett put a shot wide before the pair combined for the goal. Stockley found Tolaj, his quality through ball put Chislett clear and he confidently put Vale ahead on ten minutes.

The Valiants had numerous chances after that goal as the visitors looked shaky. Chislett saw a curling shot go wide and a header go over with Benicio once again creating multiple chances.

Chesterfield changed formation to counter Vale and came more into the game in the last 15 minutes. However, Vale had another golden opportunity when Tolaj won the ball and set up Garrity. The midfielder found Benicio in the box and he looked to be fouled but no penalty was awarded.

In stoppage time there was a chance for Chesterfield but Grigg fired wide from close range and was injured in the process. It was Vale ahead at the break.

Half-time: Port Vale 1-0 Chesterfield

Second-half

The Valiants secured the win despite an increasingly picky referee display, a stronger second-half display by the visitors and nearly ten minutes of additional time.

Chesterfield pressed in the opening stages before Vale created chances for the impressive Chislett and another for Benicio. The visitors then had a chance for Berry but Cover blocked. There was then a blow when Debrah, who had had a good game, limped off.

It was a more even half but Vale should have doubled their lead on the hour. Tolaj expertly won the ball but shot wide and then moments later had another effort saved. There was then a further blow for Vale when Debrah’s partner Connor Hall was injured but he was able to carry on.

The Valiants had yet another chance on 72 minutes as Heneghan found Stockley, who turned his man, but shot wide before being flagged offside. However, in general it was a more ragged game in the second 45 minutes with fewer Vale opportunities as a result.

The visitors pressed for an equaliser on the nine minutes of additional time with Vale a little under the cosh at the end. The Valiants won’t mind though as they held on to record a clean sheet and a second successive win.

Full-time: Port Vale 1-0 Chesterfield

Final thoughts:

This was another fine performance with Vale looking much better since the switch to a back four. It was good for the side to record a first home win especially against a side strongly tipped to be promotion contenders. It was good to see Vale create plenty of chances, to see the team starting to gel and the defence, despite injury, record a clean sheet. The only negatives will be not scoring a second goal, a lot of yellows from a card-happy referee and the injury to Debrah which may deplete Vale’s defensive options.

Pick of the players: 

This was another good all round display. Cover kept the dangerous Berry quiet, Benicio was tricky, Tolaj’s lay-off play was excellent, Garrity was energetic, Byers was classy but the stand-out was the skilful Chislett.

What did you think of the Port Vale performance? Share your thoughts and post a comment below.