Harrogate Town 0-1 Port Vale – ten in a row for table-topping Valiants

A brilliant free-kick from recalled striker Ruari Paton proved the difference as Darren Moore’s side stretched their unbeaten run to ten games and continued to top the League Two table.

Team news

Manager Darren Moore rang the changes for this with Conor Grant handed his first start of the season and Irish striker Paton picked to play upfront. Ronan Curtis and Lorent Tolaj also earned starts.

First-half

A fine performance from home keeper James Belshaw kept the scores level in the first-half as it finished goalless at the break.

It was a slow start from the Vale and it allowed the home side the opening chances. They came close when defender Sims headed wide on five minutes.

However, Vale came back into the game with Ronan Curtis prominent. Firstly, his surging run set up Tom Sang only for the shot to be blocked. More good play saw Vale earn a number of corners. From one, Heneghan’s powerful header was brilliantly saved by keeper Belshaw. It was a wonderful reaction save from the home keeper.

Harrogate had been under the cosh but countered with a shot from Ellis Taylor which Ripley saved. Vale then had another chance on the half-hour mark. Another good run from Curtis saw him drive the ball across the box but no-one could get on the end of it. There was another chance two minutes later when Tolaj turned in the box but his close-range shot was saved by Belshaw. A lot of the play had come from Grant and Curtis down Vale’s left but on 25 minutes Sang put in an excellent cross from the right only for Paton to head wide.

Vale were dominating but a sloppy ball from Heneghan allowed Daly to break only for his shot to be saved comfortably by Ripley. Then a melee in the Harrogate box saw a number of Vale shots blocked. The Valiants continued to press with Curtis’ strong run into the box creating another late chance. It was all-square at the break after what had been an entertaining first-half.

Half-time: Harrogate Town 0-0 Port Vale

Second-half

A fine free-kick from Ruari Paton, the striker’s first in the League for the Valiants proved to be the difference as Vale recorded another away win.

The second-half was a similar pattern to the first with Vale dominating possession and pinning the home side into their area. However, initially Vale could not convert their chances with Sang putting an early drive wide.

The breakthrough came in the 54th minute with a free-kick on Vale’s left. Paton stepped up to put a lovely shot past Belfield and give Vale the lead. The Irishman’s celebration showed just how much his first League Two goal meant.

Vale failed to add to their tally but were strong at the back with Ripley pulling off some good saves to thwart the home side. Harrogate pushed in the closing stages but despite four minutes of additional time, Moore’s men held firm to continue their excellent run of form. Roll on Wimbledon at the weekend!

Full-time: Harrogate Town 0-1 Port Vale

Attendance: TBC

Final thoughts

Match: It’s now three consecutive 1-0 away wins for the Valiants as they showed resilience at the back as well as goal threat. It also saw an end to the Tuesday evening jinx for the Vale. To achieve this while making wholesale changes to the team just shows the strength in depth of this Valiants squad. It really does look like a sustained challenge at the top of the table is on.

Players: It was another good all-round performance from the team. Conor Grant made an impressive first appearance of the season, Ruari Paton pushed his claims with a goal, Ryan Croasdale was his usual industrious self, the back three and keeper were calm under pressure but for us, Ronan Curtis impressed the most with his drive, craft and industry.

Our Star man pick: Ronan Curtis

Port Vale line-up and stats

Starting XI: Ripley – Debrah, Heneghan, Hall – Sang, Croasdale, Garrity, Grant (Cover) – Curtis, Paton (Stockley), Tolaj (Hackford)

Subs: Amos, Benicio, Lowe, Richards

Bookings: Curtis, Cover

Goals: Paton (54)

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