The Tuesday evening curse is over after a strong Port Vale performance saw them defeat Bradford City. Here’s our match report.
Team news
Port Vale manager Darren Moore made one change bringing in youngster Jack Shorrock for the injured Tom Sang at wingback. Ethan Chislett was on the bench alongside Sam Hart. The starting line-up had three homegrown players in Smith, Walters and Shorrock.
First-Half
Well worked goals by Lorent Tolaj and Mitch Clark saw Vale well in control at the half-way stage of this vital game.
It was a quiet start in Burslem until the game burst into life on eleven minutes. Ryan Croasdale fed Lorent Tolaj and he cut inside a defender and smashed a shot past Walker and in off the bar. It was the Swiss striker’s tenth of the season. Moments later, Tolaj fed Garrity but his low shot was saved.
Vale were dominating and nice approach play on 18 minutes saw Clark feed Tolaj who put his shot wide. It had been all Vale in the opening quarter of the game as Garrity headed over from a Clark free-kick on 23 minutes.
Bradford’s first attempt saw Halliday drive wide on 24 minutes. The next effort saw Tyreik Wright turn but tap a weak effort at Amos. It was Vale to attack next and it proved fruitful. Good work between Walters and Croasdale saw the latter feed Shorrock and the youngster’s excellent ball was headed in by a jubilant Mitch Clark for his first of the season. On the half-hour mark it was Vale 2-0 Bradford. It was nearly three on 39 minutes but the impressive Croasdale volleyed wide. Meanwhile Shorrock did well with a penalty box block as Bradford countered.
At the break it was Vale who were dominant and comfortably ahead.
Half-time: Port Vale 2-0 Bradford City
Second-Half
Goalkeeper Ben Amos saved a late penalty as the Valiants kept a clean sheet and took all three points.
It was a quiet start to the second-half. On 53 minutes there were howls from the away end for a penalty after an untidy clearance from Amos but the keeper had won the ball and the appeals were waved away. The visitors then had a shot from Kavanagh saved by Amos.
On the hour mark, youngster Shorrock was replaced by Sam Hart. Hart was immediately involved as he was felled by a high boot. Vale were looking less of an attacking threat but still remained comfortable with their two goal lead.
In the final quarter of the game, Bradford came agonisingly close to a goal when Halliday’s shot was deflected wide by another Bradford player. Then there was pinball in the Vale area on 71 minutes but no Bradford player could take advantage.
On 82 minutes, Tolaj cut inside to draw a save from Walker. However, there was late drama when Clark was judged to have fouled in the box and an 89th minute penalty was awarded. Smallwood then saw his spot-kick expertly saved by Amos.
It wasn’t as exciting a half as the first forty five but Vale fans won’t care less as they consolidated their place in the automatic promotion places. Now, for old rivals Walsall…
Full-time: Port Vale 2-0 Bradford City
Summary
There have been blips but it looks like this Vale team has found form just at the right time. The balance and formation of the team looks right at the moment. Stockley and Tolaj work well upfront, Walters and Croasdale are an excellent central midfield duo, the back three are settled ahead of the steady Amos and Ben Garrity is getting better every game. It’s been musical chairs in the wingback positions but Mitch Clark is back to his best and Jack Shorrock had an excellent game.
Vale have every reason to be confident ahead of another crucial test against leaders Walsall at the weekend.
Players
Let’s make this simple – everyone had a good game. It’s tricky to pick out a best performer after a game like that so I’m not going to. The dedication and commitment was clear and they all did us proud.
Stats
Starting XI: Amos – Debrah, Smith, Hall – Clark, Croasdale, Walters (Chislett), Shorrock (Hart) – Garrity – Stockley (Curtis), Tolaj
Subs: Broome, Lowe, Hackford, Richards
Goals: Tolaj (11), Clark (34)
Yellow cards: Tolaj
Attendance: 8,659 (2.338 visitors)
Competition: League Two
What did you think of the game and the performance? Scroll down and submit a comment.
Excellent, keep going lads 😉
Great result and all to play for. Looking forward to Walsall on Saturday. Lineup tonight looked good and they all played well in a strong performance. Results also in our favour tonight so we can look to finish strongly for the rest of the season.
Excellent performance from all involved but special shout to Tolaj and Jesse thought both were outstanding. Ben Garrity leading by example, Croasdale everywhere and Rhys showing some lovely touches. We look a more cohesive team now we are playing our players in their best positions. On we roll to Walsall with a chance of going back top. Final shout to Amos for penalty save, I’ve had my doubts on a few occasions but thought he was Excellent tonight .
Yep the. Curse is over, tonight I watched Port Vale, they were fantastic, some tired legs at times but they battled, I don’t know if I heard it,but I could of sworn, so supporters sang Darren Moore’s black and White army.There were one or two hero’s but on this occasion I will give it to the team, the ball boys, even the pigeon’s on the stands all this and over 10,000 at the game,even a penalty saved, I will give you this one Mr Moore.UTV.
Players and Manager earn plaudits for winning this vital promotion clash. There was nothing to criticize in a performance of team work, organisation, grit, and determination. Moore was spot on with team selection and tactics. The club’s significant investment in a larger than average League 2 squad may yet deliver the promotion prize.That the successful match day squad excluded John, Headley, Plant, Sang, Heneghan, Harper, Byers, and Paton, is testament to its comparative all round strength at this level. The 8,650 attendance was good in tough economic times, although it’s a pity only 6,300 local supporters attended this top League 2 battle. The days of some Potteries football followers floating between the city’s two league clubs homes games are seemingly long gone
Excellent performance from everyone including the supporters. Perfect pass and decision on Vale’s second goal by the Captain Ben Garrity! Thanks Guys keep it going so we can avoid the Play Off lottery. Cheers Andy