George Hall’s first-half strike proved to be the match winning as a battling Port Vale side earned a rate win over Bolton Wanderers for Jon Brady’s first home League win. Here’s our match report.
Team News
Port Vale manager Jon Brady brought back fit again skipper Ben Garrity into his starting eleven. Garrity replaced Jordan Shipley. There was also room for three left sided defenders in – Liam Gordon, Elijah Campbell and Jaheim Headley. It meant Gordon and Campbell joined Connor Hall in all left-footed back three.
Ben Waine returned to the Vale bench alongside the likes of Shipley, Andre Gray and Onel Hernandez.
Garrity – handed start
First-half
A route one goal saw Vale take a first-half lead at Vale Park against bogey side Bolton.
Vale had an early opportunity when George Hall robbed Toal in the first minute but Headley could not control his cross and the chance was lost. The visitors’ first chance came from a sixth minute Dempsey free-kick which went wide.
It was a half of few clearcut chances. Vale fans were furious when Jaheim Headley was brought down when clear but the decision was a yellow. However, the Valiants did take the lead nine minutes later through a long ball from Jaheim Headley. His ball found George Hall whose searing pace saw him beat the defenders and score low past the keeper. It was the 21 year-old’s first goal in the League for the club.
Vale continued to keep Bolton at bay and had another chance in the closing moments when Rhys Walters drove just wide. It was advantage Vale at the break.
Half-time: Port Vale 1-0 Bolton Wanderers
George Hall – first League goal
Second-half
Vale impressed in the second-half with a battling defensive display and some dangerous counter attacking as they kept a clean sheet to win the game.
The Valiants had the first chance when a lovely ball from Ojo sent Garrity bursting through the Bolton defence but the skipper curled his shot wide. A minute later, on 54 minutes, George Hall once again outpaced the defence but Martin Sherif mis-kicked from the resulting cross.
There was a delay when Connor Hall and Dalby collided with away fans appealing for a spot-kick after the collision – but it was turned down.
Bolton started to pressurise the Vale backline but the defence were doing well and any clearcut chances were few and far between. The Valiants were still causing problems with their counter attacks with Jaheim Headley the next to outpace the defenders but he couldn’t reach Sherif with his pass.
On 75 minutes, Bolton had a free-kick in a dangerous position but Gauci did well to save. Minutes later more good Vale play, this time from Shipley and Hall sent Ben Waine through but his shot was saved.
While Vale were getting chances, Bolton were dominating possession by this point and putting Vale’s defence under pressure – but the backline held firm. To some surprise, there were nine additional minutes to survive but Vale actually had the better chances during that time – Archer outpaced the defence but had his shot saved while Waine forced a good save with another effort.
It was an excellent, hard working performance by the Vale against a side where they normally come unstuck. It may be too late to save their season but it did at least restore some pride.
Full-time: Port Vale 1-0 Bolton Wanderers
Ben Waine – late chances
Analysis and Opinion
The match
Played in hazy sunshine, this was a match full of effort from Jon Brady’s side. However, it was probably a day to forget for the Bolton back-line who were regularly exposed by Vale’s pace, especially that of George Hall. Once again the officials baffled with some of their decisions but few Vale fans will care as Brady’s side served up a rare home win.
The players
This was an excellent all-round team performance. Elijah Campbell had probably his best game so far. Liam Gordon continued his good form. Connor Hall was colossal. Funso Ojo was excellent once again in midfield and backed up well by Rhys Walters. However, even though his team mates did brilliantly, George Hall, with his searing pace and first-half finish was the difference between the two sides.
Star player
George Hall
Summing up in a sentence
Hall right for Vale as they beat Bolton bogey team.
Match stats
Team: Gauci – Campbell, C.Hall, Gordon – Gabriel, Ojo, Garrity (Waine), Walters, Headley (Magloire) – G.Hall (Archer), Sherif (Shipley)
Subs: Amos, Hernandez, Gray
Yellows: none
Reds: none
Goals: George Hall (34)
Attendance: 8,442
Season stats
Your thoughts…
Debate the match on the dedicated match thread in the OVF forum
Or scroll down and post your comment at the bottom of this match report
A Deffo ” Game of Two Halls ” Connor ( M O M ) and George
Hail the Halls!
Excellent win! Bolton were nowhere near the team that beat us 4-0 at their place. On that day they ran us ragged especially their outside left, a young lad on loan from Southampton I believe. Today Bolton looked ponder some and lacking in confidence, saying that Vale played very well, kept a good shape and were well in control for the majority of the game. Man of the match for me was the other Hall, Connor. He was colossal at the back as well as venturing into midfield on numerous occasions to break things up. I think everyone scored around the 8 mark today, just ashame we are running out of games.
Every player pit a shift in
I agree that Connor Hall was MOM, but Ojo (and others?) would have won that in a normal week. Which just goes to show what a great team performance this was1
Since they have been paired as our central midfielders due to injuries. I think Funso Ojo and Rhys Walters have been outstanding. Their work rate, particularly on our heavy pitch, has been incredible. Late in the second half, who was up in support to Ben Waine & Ethan Archer – Funso!
What a difference Vale are under Mr Brady & his coaching staff battling like we haven’t seen all season under DM & his merry men good luck in your impossible task & congratulations to all the players in their efforts of late oh to have a pitch conjusive to playing good football UTV hope you stuff my seasons criticisms firmly down my throat such a shame management changes didn’t come earlier UTV
Great to see we’re going down fighting..puts us in good spirits to know we could do well in div2..fantastic win against Bolton.. who have been fight back team lately coming back from 2 then 3 goals down .so credit to the vale players and manager..well done.
Another heartening win. Brady arrived at the club facing a huge uphill struggle with a demoralized squad, injuries, poor form, and resentment from the fan base. Yesterday was his 7th win (3 league, 4 FA/EFL Cups) in 18 games, a decent start considering the odds facing him. Relegation is still virtually guaranteed, along with a major close season squad overhaul, but yesterday’s determined team performance and work rate is becoming a hallmark of his brief tenure. There’s hope for the future.
It was an excellent all round performance from all the players including the medical staff who kept Connor Hall on the pitch whose leadership and example was exemplary for all the players to emulate. I just hope the medical staff can get some of our injured players back to be able to play a portion of a game to facilitate respite for Connor and the rest of the squad. At this stage of the season I cannot see any merit in saving or keeping players on the sick bench for future games. It’s all about points on the board and getting to Wembley!