Barnsley 0-2 Port Vale – Gabriel and Croasdale score as Valiants win their third in a row

Wingback Jordan Gabriel scored his first goal for the club and sub Ryan Croasdale added another as Port Vale made it three League wins in a row. Here’s our match report.

First-half

Vale matched the home side and could have been in front but chances for Jaheim Headley and Ben Garrity were spurned.

The Vale had the better start with much of their good play coming via Headley on the left flank. The wingback had Vale’s best chance when he latched onto a one-two with Shipley and his ninth minute drive was palmed over. Meanwhile, forward duo Cole and Brown were causing problems with their pace and power and when Brown chased down a pass, Cole’s shot was blocked.

After an awful second minute free-kick, Shipley’s subsequent set plays were causing problems and a twelfth minute free-kick was inches away from Debrah’s head.

The home side were mainly marshalled well by Vale’s backline with the main problems coming from set plays. Gauci failed to come out for one while Earl’s header went narrowly wide from another. However, Vale were probably fortunate not to concede a penalty when Gabriel appeared to barge into McGoldrick in the box on 24 minutes.

Vale threatened again as they broke dangerously on 28 minutes. Headley intercepted a pass and fed Shipley who played a pinpoint cross to Garrity but the keeper came out and saved well. Barnsley countered and Debrah did well to dispossess Keillor-Dunn in the box. There was another chance on 36 minutes when McGoldrick was found but his shot was wide. Vale were then grateful for a well timed tackle from Gabriel on 43 minutes as the home side finished the half the stronger.

It was all-square at the break with it all to play for.

Half-time: Barnsley 0-0 Port Vale

Second-half

Wingback Jordan Gabriel scored his first goal and Ryan Croasdale another as the Valiants took all three points back to Burslem.

The first chance of the half fell to Barnsley but McGoldrick’s 48th minute effort was tame. Gauci then had to be alert to take a McGoldrick cross.

Vale’s first opportunity was a 53rd minute free-kick but Shipley curled it well wide. Barnsley then thought they’d scored when Vickers went on a mazy run but he fired into the side netting. It preceded a period of pressure from the home side but Gauci and the defence held firm.

However, on 58 minutes, a quick Vale break saw them close to taking the lead. A cross-field ball found Gabriel but his powerful shot was saved.  Devante Cole was next to threaten as he turned a defender but his effort didn’t trouble the keeper. Then was then a third chance on 61 minutes as Cole broke and found Brown but his shot was also saved. Garrity then blazed the rebound over the bar.

The Valiants did take the lead on 64 minutes when Brown burst into the box. He rolled the ball across for Jordan Gabriel to make no mistake from close range.

Vale then made a double change on 70 minutes with George Hall coming on for Brown, who had had a good game while Ryan Croasdale came on for Shipley.

It was nearly two for Darren Moore’s side on 75 minutes when Devante Cole latched on to a long throw but once again he was denied by the goalkeeper. By now, the home side were getting frustrated as the Vale defence held firm. Meanwhile, there was yet another chance for the luckless Cole on 85 minutes as his powerful shot was saved. It didn’t matter as Vale sealed the win on 88 minutes. Sub Croasdale made a good forward run and he gave the keeper no chance with a low strike.

It was a deserved three points for the Valiants, who had had the better chances throughout the game and arguably could have scored more. It was an excellent away display from the Valiants as they made it three wins in a row.

Full-time: Barnsley 0-2 Port Vale