An early goal from captain Ryan Croasdale and two excellent free-kicks from Ethon Archer helped Vale to an away win. Here’s our match report.
Team News
For their second game in 48 hours, manager Jon Brady made a whopping eight changes. It included a first start for Onel Hernandez while Tyler Magloire, Martin Sherif and Ethon Archer also started. Ryan Croasdale was named as captain.
There was a mixture of youth and experience on the bench which saw youth teamer Charlie Bussell and youngster Jack Shorrock both in the squad.
Captain Croasdale
First-half
It was a dream start for the much-changed Valiants as they stormed into a two goal lead after just quarter of an hour.
Onel Hernandez, who looked like a performer after an indifferent start to his Vale spell was instrumental in the first. A cross-field ball from Connor Hall found the wideman and he placed a lovely cross to captain Ryan Croasdale who found the net with a low effort. After three minutes, Vale were leading from their first effort on target.
Peterborough pressed but were unable to create any clearcut chances with all the goal opportunities falling to Vale. Two minutes after the goal, Sherif closed down a goalkeeper clearance and the deflection nearly went in. On 13 minutes, a brilliant bit of skill from Hernandez saw him beat two players but his shot was saved.
However, Vale did score from their next attempt. Ethon Archer was brought down on the edge of the box on 15 minutes. He curled a brilliant free-kick into the corner of the net to make it 2-0 to Vale.
Vale breathed a sigh of relief on 29 minutes when Magloire looked to foul in the box but the referee failed to give a penalty. The home side were coming more into the game at this stage with Vale working hard to weather the storm. However, the home side did pull a goal back when Dornelly found some space and he flicked the ball home.
Vale then had a glorious chance to stretch their lead as Headley was sent clear in loads of space but he failed to find a teammate with his cross.
The home side were next to threaten with Hernandez doing well to track back and nick the ball off Lisbie in the box. The Valiants were then grateful for Campbell who cleared a deflected effort off his line.
Half-time: Peterborough 1-2 Port Vale
Ethon Archer – scored the second
Second-half
Ethon Archer’s second superb free-kick helped to secure all three points for Jon Brady’s side.
There was an early chance for Vale as Headley broke free again but he drove a poor shot wide. The home side had another appeal for a penalty when Croasdale tackled in the box but it was turned down.
However, Vale did go three up when Archer curled home another great free-kick on 56 minutes for his second of the game. Moments later, Vale should have made it four when the ball was given away to Sherif but he missed a glorious chance by putting his shot wide.
Peterborough countered and sub Aderojou should have scored from a cross but the forward missed his header and Vale managed to somehow clear. There was a further chance for Posh on 75 minutes but Connor Hall, who had had an excellent game, managed to head clear.
As Peterborough challenged, Vale broke and Croasdale sent Sherif clear with a lovely through ball but once again the striker shanked his shot well off target. To be fair to the powerful striker he did everything right bar the finish. With more clinical finishing he could have had two goals to his name.
Despite late Peterborough pressure (and to be fair they had largely dominated possession throughout the game) Vale held on for three points.
Full-time: Peterborough 1-3 Port Vale
Martin Sherif – glorious chances
Analysis and Opinion
The match
Where did this come from? A much changed Vale team caused Posh all sorts of problems. They seemed to play with freedom and the experience of the likes of Ward and Hernandez meant the passes were more measured and less hoofed which helped put the home side’s defence under pressure. Credit to the much maligned Vale defence who coped well with the pressure. Remarkably, if Sherif has packed his shooting boots, it could have been five to Vale.
The players
This was a game for the unsung players. Hernandez shone throughout his time on the pitch and Grant Ward also played some lovely passes. Martin Sherif’s pace (but not his shooting) caused the defence problems, Eli Campbell was solid and Ethon Archer was tricky and a set-piece maestro. Amongst it all, captain Ryan Croasdale and Connor Hall put in solid performances. Unfortunately, Tyler Magloire was less assured at the back and had several shaky moments.
Star player
Onel Hernadez had a great 50 minutes but I’d personally give it to Archer who was on for for longer and scored two fantastic set-pieces. Honourable mention to Connor Hall too.
Summing up in a sentence
Vale shock Posh for unlikely win.
Match stats
Team: Gauci – Magloire, C.Hall, Campbell – Hernandez (Gordon), Croasdale, Shipley, Ward (Waine), Headley (Humhreys) – Archer, Sherif (Brown)
Subs: Amos, Shorrock, Bussell
Yellows: none
Reds: none
Goals: Croasdale (3), Archer (15, 56)
Attendance:
Season stats
Your thoughts…
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Thank you team some guts shown 10/10 a great win against the posh.
Absolutely outstanding performance from a scratch Vale line up.
After the Chelsea trouncing, to bounce back with two wins and a draw is a remarkable achievement.
Two world class goals by Ethan Archer.
Connor Hall was commanding at Centre Half.Eli Campbell had his best game.
Ryant Croasdale covered every blade of grass, as did Jordan Shipley and Grant Ward.
Onel Hernandez was a revelation at right wing back.
Martin Sherif led the line well. If only he had been composed enough with those two golden chances.
Everybody lived up to our Valiant nickname.
Shocked by the result, especially with that team selection.
I’ve been a bit cutting over the quality of the football over the last few games, justified I believe. But when they play well I’m more than happy to say so. I’m not really sure how much of it was down to us or Peterborough. What can not be denied is the attitude of the players and their willingness to fight on against all the odds. As I’ve said before we managed to win promotion last season while not playing well under a very poor manager, so let’s hope we manage to hang onto Croasdale and Ojo, and Brady gets the backing to give it a decent go next season.